[Lendal]

> 5. Surveillance can only be defeated by building software and hardware to defend ourselves.

Here's where it went off the rails. Once you've abandoned the idea of democracy and peaceful self-governance, you're just another technofascist. You are Palantir, just in an earlier stage.

[smalltorch]

I don't think you have to abandon the idea of democracy and peaceful self-governance to build software good for defending common values. Why do you think this?

[omnimus]

Because it implies that the solution is more better software. That a answers lie in technological solutions.

[pc86]

Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't. Believes that there are, at times, technical solutions to both technical and non-technical problems does not make someone a "technofascist."

[omnimus]

The OP does not say that. It says “Surveillance can only be defeated by building software”

That's purely technocratic view.

[api]

People no longer believe in the possibility of reforming institutions or good governance. Most people believe all politicians -- all of them -- are con men, liars, degenerates, or incompetents, and that nothing good can be achieved through political means.

I think it's a sign that we're further down the decay slope than we think.

[krunck]

I would say that all forms of incipient fascism and totalitarianism can really only be stopped by a motivated populace willing to step away from feelings of safety, from their endless entertainment, and embrace a bit of risk and stand up physically to their governments an yell at the top of their lungs: NO!

Sitting in your cozy home coding and thinking you are making a difference is bullshit. We are physical beings who ultimately fear physical violence from those who would oppress us. The response must be physical. Stand up, protest, make noise.