Privacy As Resistance: Things are Changing
This blog will be undergoing a few changes—given the state of the world, everything sacred feels like it’s under threat. Constantly. And I need to do something.
A Brief Announcement (Please Read)
Since January 20, I’ve been wracking my brain trying to figure out what I could do that might actually meaningfully push back against the threats we’re all up against. Not just in the United States (which is speed-running fascism), but in countries around the world. In February I even wrote about it.
I recently celebrated my 45th birthday, and the sense of urgency I’ve been feeling has only intensified. Now, maybe it’s that whole midlife crisis thing I hear about. Maybe it’s the precariousness of the times we’re living through. Or maybe, it’s that I feel entirely impotent and full of rage as I watch institutions crumble, rights erode, and democracy fade. I’ve been looking for something that I could do that might actually make the world suck a little less, but I’m not an attorney (anymore). I also don’t have powerful friends to influence, or the ability to organize because big crowds scare me. And I’m not exactly handy with weapons, so armed rebellion is probably out.
That’s when it hit me: I have this blog, and some of you actually read it. So, I want to pivot slightly and focus on chronicling and tracking the abuses and steady erosion of our rights and freedoms, and in particular, how the administration, the tech broligarchs, and other wanna-be authoritarians around the world are undermining democratic institutions, the rule of law, and everything free societies hold dear—free speech and association, freedom of the press, the right to conscience, and the right to privacy and autonomy.
Going forward, I’m going to prioritize writing through the lens of resistance. There’s going to be much less law and abstract legal nerdery, and much more raising awareness and calling out the bullshit. I’m also going to take a page from
, and write in a more accessible, easily digestible way. More links, less footnotes. When I can, I’ll also be providing practical tips and suggestions on how we can all protect ourselves and resist the torment nexii that are coming for us all.But this won’t entirely be focused on government abuses. You’ll also see more Privacy Disasters and posts critical of the gradual erosion of our rights by tech companies and CEOs hellbent on ushering forth the Network State. I can’t promise it will be uplifting, and it definitely won’t fill anyone with warm fuzzies, but if I do my job right, it will be informative.
Maybe someone reads this and changes their mind and stops buying into the lies. Maybe we all come to grips with the fact that ‘not talking about politics’ or being neutral is a luxury that few of us can afford. As Elie Wiesel famously said
Always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor never the tormented.
Maybe by shedding light on the corruption, by not remaining silent, some actual fucking change happens, and our feckless politicians and those with the real power (the people Alastair Smith & Bruce de Mesquita refer to in their book The Dictator’s Handbook, as ‘the Essentials’) actually use that power and shut this shit down.
And who knows—maybe from this, and through your support, ideas, and inspiration, I can direct my frustration and white hot rage into something concrete and productive. So, if you’re down for taking this journey with me, stick around. I’ll need all the help and support I can get.
But if you don’t want to be confronted with the ugliness of the world, the inequity, or to open your eyes to witness the crash-course on tyranny we’re all living through—well, you might want to unsubscribe.
Finally, because I’m old and I like giving presents on my birthday, I’m going to offer a 20% discount to new subscribers. I truly value those of you who have committed to supporting my work financially. You all mean the world to me. There’s a lot of great benefits for subscribers and I will try to add more paid content (like more good privacy news posts and interviews with companies trying to make things better) to reward those who really value my work.
But what I really need from everyone right now is for you to share this with others. Sometimes, knowing that there’s a problem and puzzling over possible solutions together and out loud is what people need to take action.
We’re in this together, and together we can fight it—just as so many have fought horrors like this before. The corrupt and morally bankrupt may succeed for a time, but history has taught us that their hubris, greed, and depravities usually end up doing them in. Now, let’s get out there and fucking do something before it’s too late.
And finally, here’s a little palate cleanser. Bunsen is posing next to some beautiful birthday roses given to me from my ever-patient, long suffering husband. I love you kitty.
