If they want to enjoy private communications online, then they should build their own private network. Why do we believe that public infrastructure should be treated any differently than the public square?
As for persecution, I understand the concerns. There are ways to communicate about sensitive issues that don't involve social networking sites. Hiding behind a pseudonym will do nothing to advance the cause for which one should fear the risks of exposure. Plenty of revolutions were started without the help of anonymous tweets. They figured out a way to get it done, because the cause was worth the risk. Our Identity ecosystem doesn't need the complexity and issues that come with this anymore than someone who is willing to die for their cause needs a mask to hide behind while online.
Nick
On Mon, Aug 1, 2011 at 7:08 PM, Stephen Wilson
<swilson@lockstep.com.au> wrote:
Nicholas,
I wonder if you are a middle class, middle aged white guy who has
been lucky enough to have never experienced persecution, or had
good grounds to fear it? The implicit sentiment that "if you've
got nothing to hide, you've got nothing to worry about" is too
often the position of the privileged. Can you not imagine that
expressing one's political or religious views (for example) brings
personal risks to many of the dispossessed or disadvantaged in the
world. Why should people have to go hide offline to enjoy privacy
of their communications?
Steve.
Stephen Wilson
Managing Director
Lockstep Group
Phone +61 (0)414 488 851
http://lockstep.com.au <http://www.lockstep.com.au>
Lockstep Consulting provides independent specialist advice and
analysis
on digital identity and privacy. Lockstep Technologies develops
unique
new smart ID solutions that enhance privacy and prevent identity
theft.
On 2/08/2011 8:09 AM, Nicholas Crown wrote:
> but that is a totally
different problem then the one I am raising
> which is whether people with medical conditions they want
to talk
> about with others and get support (share +1s) or a buddhist
in Kansas
> (can share freely with other buddhists or seekers without
their hyper
> conservative christian neighbors finding out) or having a
feminist
> persona that is not linked to your work identity in the
tech industry
> (and if it was you would find work had to come by in the
valley) is
> free to use google+ not linked to a "real name".
>
>
> Why can't people just be who they are and stand in their
own shoes
> for what they believe in? Trying to be a buddhist behind
closed doors
> in Kansas does no one any good. If you believe in feminist
tenants,
> than stand up for those and speak your voice. I understand
that
> persecution could come in any one of these cases, but that
is the
> beauty of taking a stand on the truth. If your ideal is not
worth
> sharing with your own ID, then it's not for you. About the
only one
> that I struggle with is the case where you have some
medical
> condition you would like to discuss in a private setting.
Can that
> case not be solved with a private/closed group? If it's too
> sensitive for that, then take it offline.
>
> Nick
>
> On Mon, Aug 1, 2011 at 4:49 PM, Tony Rutkowski
> <trutkowski@netmagic.com
<mailto:trutkowski@netmagic.com>> wrote:
>
> "Rights to anonymity." Surely you are joking.
>
> In law, there is no such network based right. In
technology, there is
> no such capability.
>
> Like Scott McNealy said rather publicly in 1995 - Privacy:
get over
> it.
>
> --tony
>
>
>
> On 8/1/2011 5:38 PM, Stephen Wilson wrote:
>
> (3) If you use crime prevention as the rationale for taking
away
> users' rights to anonymity, then
>
>
>
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