Slashdot Mirror
Freakonomics Q&A With Bruce Schneier
Samrobb writes "In grand Slashdot tradition, the Freakonomics blog solicited reader questions for a Q&A session with Bruce Schneier. The blog host writes that Mr. Schneier's answers '...are extraordinarily interesting, providing mandatory reading for anyone who uses a computer. He also plainly thinks like an economist: search below for "crime pays" to see his sober assessment of why it's better to earn a living as a security expert than as a computer criminal.'" The interview covers pretty much the whole range of issues Schneier has written about, and he provides links to more detailed writings on many of the questions.
I couldn't agree with you more. The idea that the correct reaction is overreaction is not only foolish, it's counterproductive and in many cases quite dangerous. This approach has so permeated our society that it has become a part of our psyche and now has made inroads into the military. It is my opinion that 'risk management' and 'force protection' (in their current forms) are ruining the effectiveness of our fighting forces (of which I am one...no arm-chair fighting here). Having recently returned from serving forward in the middle east and working in a mixed environment of special warfare combat forces, the idiocy of that was forced upon us in the name of 'force protection' was nothing short of crippling. Why was it needed? Because, "if you don't abide by force protection rules, someone could be injured or killed". Let me get this straight; We carry guns, explosives, etc. We're trained to use them at night, in the day, in close quarters, over long distances, etc. We signed a piece of paper when we enlisted stating that we understand we might get killed in executing our orders. In light of all of that, there is some 'other' threat, apparently outside of the obvious primary threat during war-time (people shooting at you, IEDs, etc.) that is so much greater than the primary threats that it nullifies our need to counter the primary threats efficiently and effectively. Someone has written a book on this subject from a military prospective. Sadly I cannot recall the name of the book, or the author, as I just happened to pick it up one day at an acquaintances house and peruse it a bit. If anyone knows of the book of which I speak (primary topic being that force protection insanity is ruining the military), please speak up. I'd be forever indebted. Anyway, I digress. The bottom line, fear is counterproductive save for times of fight-or-flight.