Slashdot Mirror
Understanding Privacy
privacyprof writes "Slashdot readers familiar with Professor Daniel J. Solove's essay, 'I've Got Nothing to Hide and Other Misunderstandings of Privacy,' might be interested in his new book, Understanding Privacy, which develops many of the ideas in that essay. As rapidly changing technology makes information increasingly available, there has been a great struggle to define privacy, with many conceding that the task is virtually impossible. The book argues there are multiple forms of privacy, related to one another by 'family resemblances.' It explains the framework for understanding privacy which was briefly discussed in the 'Nothing to Hide' essay. The book covers the framework in greater depth and explores how it applies to a wide array of privacy issues, such as data mining, surveillance, data security, and consumer privacy. Chapter 1 is available for free download."
Privacy is stupid western notion designed to facilitate structures of imperialism and expolitation of working class.
Here in People's Republic of China we have no need for foolish notions of privacy instead rely on working harmoniously to further state socialism and filial piety for the betterment of self and others. All do our part to insure proper information flow to authorities for preservation of law and order. In America terrorists roam free and destroy buildings but in People's Republic of China all terrorists are swiftly eliminated from social stream by all workers contributing together for cause of justice.
This is why stupid fat Americans are bankrupted by gasoline bills and mortgages while here in People's Republic of China we move forward together into the greater future. No wonder capitalist countries lose wars while terrorist groups never attack People's Republic of China for fear of all citizens working as one to extract atomic socialist retribution.
Exactly.
The way that freedom and privacy are both highly valued on Slashdot bemuses me, as they can come into direct conflict. Take, for instance, right to roam legislation, which guarantees ordinary Scots access to the countryside, under certain conditions. This, of course, can be seen to impinge on the privacy of landowners.
Privacy also theoretically limits free speech (another highly valued concept on Slashdot). If I tell the world that person X is cheating on his wife, am I invading his privacy or defending my free speech?
The Slashdot obsession with defending all of these concepts leads me to believe that self-interest, not any altruistic concept of fairness, is the motivating factor behind most contributors' opinions.