What does it mean to have a "right to privacy?" We have a right to vote, and too few of us use it. I heard it explained to me once, a human right is like a vegetable garden. You have to nurture it, take care of it, and harvest it. Otherwise you have a plot of dirt.
The Internet is not like a vegetable garden. Perhaps that test is appropriate, then, for lawmakers worldwide considering whether the "right to Internet access" follows from the right to free speech -- there are places in the world where is this actively being considered. If a person is denied access to the Internet, the argument goes, her free speech rights are being violated, or at least abridged.
By that same logic, the extent to which one makes use of the Internet, must therefore abridge that person's own right to privacy. At least, by that same logic.
"by that same logic, the extent to which one makes use of the Internet, must therefore abridge that person's own right to privacy."
ReplyDeleteinterestingly just finished re-reading brave new world, and i think the logic applies here as there, that they will always advertise innovations as beneficial privileges, then artificially evolve said privileges into rights and finally, punish us for failing to take advantage of such privileges-turned-rights.
Yeah- it seems like this is the MO for society. It goes back to what my parents always used to tell me: " If you dont govern yourself, you will be governed by others." But how does one 'govern' oneself in the digital/cyber age?
ReplyDeleteyeah my response for a long time has been to avoid it as much as absolutely possible, only here i am, posting messages into the void.
ReplyDeleteOK Computer...
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