> I'm worried about the freedom of dissenting opinion in civil society from surveillance, not the privacy of my messages. Privacy is something I would easily give up for such freedom.
I see these two subjects as being inseparable. Before I feel comfortable asserting a dissenting opinion in a public forum, I would much rather discuss the subject among my peers where I don't feel I will be immediately eviscerated for a poorly constructed thought. If I don't feel that I have any privacy, I'm more likely to be subject to chilling effects.
> Before I feel comfortable asserting a dissenting opinion in a public forum, I would much rather discuss the subject among my peers where I don't feel I will be immediately eviscerated for a poorly constructed thought.
While I certainly emphasize with the anxiety of publicly expressing an unpopular opinion, I believe it is, especially in times like these, your moral duty to endure in spite of the repercussions and speak your mind.
Even though I went to Stanford and had direct access to Milgrom's famous prison experiment, the lesson from it didnt hit home until many years later I read this article: https://aeon.co/ideas/the-desire-to-fit-in-is-the-root-of-al...
Now, the phrase "All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to remain silent" resonates with me.
This phrase does not mean "All good men should continually natter on". It is also your moral duty to present a cogent argument, lest we drown in a sea of mostly inane babbling and constant infighting, completely burying the points that need to be made.
Speaking out matters. So does when, where, and how you speak out. And that is something best discussed privately.
It's not a moral duty, it's a Robb Report level luxury. One does not need to be particularly articulate or present a rational argument, especially when dealing with matters of morality. Sadly, rhetoric and appeals to emotion, empathy, and common sense are more effective if your goal is to sway others.
> This phrase does not mean "All good men should continually natter on". It is also your moral duty to present a cogent argument
What I was trying to say is there will be times where you are not as prepared as you like. It's not about presenting an airtight, cogent argument, it's about having the courage to say something like, "Officer, stop beating the shit out of this guy in a wheelchair. He's clearly isn't resisting and you're being a dick."
I see these two subjects as being inseparable. Before I feel comfortable asserting a dissenting opinion in a public forum, I would much rather discuss the subject among my peers where I don't feel I will be immediately eviscerated for a poorly constructed thought. If I don't feel that I have any privacy, I'm more likely to be subject to chilling effects.