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Most Americans Want Gov't To Make Internet Safer
aicrules writes "Despite the constant prattle of privacy groups and individual privacy advocated, according to a poll reported on by CNN most Americans want the government to be heavily involved in securing the Internet. They want to eat their cake too, though, as those polled also don't trust the governmental bodies charged with such security. They also found that more people trust Microsoft with security. From the article, 'I don't think the public knows what it wants Congress to do, but it wants Congress to do something,...They don't have a lot of confidence that Congress will do the right thing.'"
If "most" American's really want the "government" hover over the internet and potentially tramp on rights, there is fairly simple way -- amend the Constitution. It's not EASY, but it is a simple solution.
My personal favorite from TFA:How can the "public" know what it wants to do when most people don't even know how congress WORKS? Most don't even know the name of their own representatives. Besides, my understanding of TFA was that it WASN'T a poll of MOST Americans, but of "LIKELY VOTERS". Always need to read the 'fine print'.
I don't want anyone to make the internet safer except myself. I installed the Firewall. I installed the AV. I installed all the other safety stuff. Not the government, and I don't want them to bud in.
~Ilyanep
To get message, take amount of carrier pigeons at each stage mod 2. Then decode binary.
...American people don't know what the fsck they want! Story at 11...
Seriously though, there's a little truism that goes something like "In democracy, people get exactly the government they deserve", and I'd say it's quite true. We don't know *what* we want, and as such, we end up with crap.
Once people figure out that they have to be engaged with the issues to vote intelligently, then we'll see some change. Maybe a few more centuries of societal progress and we'll get there...
I work for an online retailer and we lose thousands of dollars every day to fraud. We have attempted to get the government to intervene but unless it is over $50,000 they don't tend to help us. We had a case where a guy stole $25,000 worth of goods from us using fraudulent cards. We knew where he lived but the police/feds refused to do anyhing about it.
Well said, TripMaster. I'd mod this up as "insightful" if I had any mod points.
...since there is no way to find out if you're on the list until you TRY to board a plane. Idiots.
I know people on the "No Fly List" merely because they speak out on the net against government intrusion. Heck, I could easily be on the list myself, but since I haven't tried flying since the list was invented I don't know.
The Ludwig von Mises Institute. The reasoning individuals economics
But most Americans have no idea how the Internet works or why it is so vital. They see the Internet as an entertainment device. Like the TV, just another thing. They don't see it as the most amazing medium for free speech humanity has ever seen. Just like in the real world if we want to keep our rights and privacy we will have to put up with some crime. The internet is no different.
They don't realize that making the internet "safe" will just cripple and ruin it.
...how do we know they didn't deliberately skew the results?
We hear all the time, 'polls show this' and 'the majority of Americans say that', and we don't know that's how the poll *really* came out, or even if there *was* a poll.
Just something to think about.
The difference between spam and poop is that you don't have to dig through septic tanks looking for real food. -- Me
Wasn't it Winston Churchill who said "The best argument against democracy is a five minute chat with the average voter"?
Linux Wireless Hardware in the UK
I think someone once said "The person who is willing to give up freedom for security deserves neither" Oh wait that was the founding father Benjamin Franklin. Maybe we should heed his advice.
With great power also comes HeatVision
The truth is...
Yes, you are responsible to check on a store's security policy to the best of your ability. Obviously they are not going to give you their router config to look through for mistakes or give you a glimpse at their overall security infrastructure, but you do hold final responsibility. Watch your credit card statements.
I admit that this is a large responsibility and not simple to do. I do not pretend that I do this myself. The fact is that my lack of effort does not excuse the store from its due diligence to protect my data. They hold the blame for the theft. I still hold the responsibility to make sure I know when my information has been misused.
When a big bank swallows your little bank, it is your job to know their practices, WITHIN REASON. If you do not do your job, and read the relevant data then you can not complain at the misuse of your information. Of course, there is a measure of responsibility held by both banks to notify you of the merger and any potential changes to the personal data policy within a reasonable amount of time so that, if you disagree with that policy, you can remove your funds and find a new bank.
Our lax societal efforts to ensure our own security do enable cheaper and faster methods of doing all kinds of things, but we are the ones demanding these faster services.
If you are in a car on a rainy night and the driver tells you he can go faster, but he may lose control; he can go slower, but it will take longer to get to your destination; or he can stay the same speed and take a mix of risk and time, your choice comes with a certain amount of responsibility for the outcome. The driver holds the responsibility to be able to handle the car at a reasonable amount of speed without endangering the passengers. If you demand he speed and he crashes, you share the blame. If you demand he slow down and you are late, you share the blame.
Simply because it is inconvenient or difficult to perform your responsibility does not mean you are excused from it.
Perhaps the real need is to demand that the companies make the crucial information we need to make a decision more available and more understandable.
Then again, it is our responsibility to demand it.
He who confuses his religion with his science knows neither.