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by 394549 2800 days ago
> Can we really continue to claim that we're unaware Google, Facebook, and other web companies are monitoring everything they can and sharing the information they collect, sometimes for profit, sometimes accidentally, and sometimes compelled by legal orders?

Yes, we can.

1. Some people (mostly technologists) are aware, but many people aren't.

2. Much of the awareness that does exist was not the result of those companies being transparent about their practices. It's the result of inferences based on scraps of information and speculation.
1 comments
leereeves 2800 days ago
Surely the author, editor, and publisher of this article, and anyone likely to read it, are aware. "We" are aware.
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394549 2800 days ago
> Surely the author, editor, and publisher of this article, and anyone likely to read it, are aware. We are aware.

That's a really weird statement. Articles are published so that readers can be informed of things that the author and editors have become aware of. Often many articles are published on the same subject because 1) many people missed previous articles, 2) there a new update that people aren't aware of, 3) people forgot and it's a good time to remind them, 4) it's not news-facts article but a persuasive piece, 5) etc.

>> 2. Much of the awareness that does exist was not the result of those companies being transparent about their practices. It's the result of inferences based on scraps of information and speculation.

This means that "we" aren't as aware as you make us out to be.

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leereeves 2800 days ago
> Articles are published so that readers can be informed of things that the author and editors have become aware of.

This is an opinion piece. It's written to persuade, not to inform, but its argument is founded on shaky ground.

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tivert 2800 days ago
>> Articles are published so that readers can be informed of things that the author and editors have become aware of.

> This is an opinion piece.

Opinions and ideas are things that one can be informed of.

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leereeves 2800 days ago
Ok, but is this article intended to inform us that "this opinion exists" or convince us that "this opinion is right"?
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