[mathattack]

I think the context here is different than the strength of the quote. The context is about the government knowing everyone's petty mistakes in life, or Achilles heal. If they know this for everyone, then they can push or manipulate people as they see fit.

[tezza]

I don't agree with the context either.

1) If the Government has a problem with you, then a few IM chat records and your pr0n site subscription history will be the least of your problems.

Previously 'undesirables' would be tailed by agents or a private eye.

2) They can simply frame you. Child pr0n planted on your computer somehow, hell even your best friends / wife would disown you.

3) Is "recording more" either "finding needles" or just "making the haystack bigger" ?

[mpyne]

Yeah, that's pretty scary... I can only imagine what would happen if we were foolish enough to give a government even more dangerous stuff, like millions of small arms, heavy weaponry, or even nuclear weapons. Why, the sheer power would probably instantly turn them into a dystopia.

[alan_cx]

Wouldn't mind so much if that information was known about the politicians that their minions. What have they got to hide?

Heh, and if they are pure, clean and perfect, who the hell do they represent?

If they know it about us, we should damn well know it about them.