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When the physicists need burner phones, that's when you know America's changed

(www.theguardian.com)
267 points giuliomagnifico | 1 comments | 29 Mar 25 18:45 UTC | HN request time: 0.201s | source
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pmags ◴[29 Mar 25 19:14 UTC] No.43517799[source]▶
I'm a US scientist and the use of minimalist phone and a laptop is something I'm planning for all my travel.

This is for the simple reason that I have determined, based on a large body of cases that are accumulating at a disturbing rate, that the current US administration considers themselves "above the law". Furthermore, the administration has shown that they are eager to carry out actions that violate due process and freedom of speech against anyone they perceive as opposing their policies/views.

EDIT: I'm happy to document such cases for those who have not been paying attention, but I also encourage those who are doubtful to simply search the many examples that have been posted here on HN (unfortunately, many flagged in an attempt to suppress discussion).

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dataflow ◴[29 Mar 25 19:17 UTC] No.43517821[source]▶
Do you not feel unsafe sharing this publicly?
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whatshisface ◴[29 Mar 25 19:24 UTC] No.43517884[source]▶
That is not really relevant, because you sort of have to say what's true whatever happens to you, as required at the intersection of the duties of a scientist, of a citizen of a republic, and even on the basis of the basic tenants of the country's majority religion. In some sense to live a steady life you have to be resigned to potential misfortunes, even if you do not want them to happen to you.
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roxolotl ◴[29 Mar 25 19:37 UTC] No.43518006[source]▶
I’ve been struggling with this. I’ve recently started using a new handle as a way to distance myself a bit. I wouldn’t expect it to hold up under scrutiny though. And then I wonder about the moral obligation to say what is right. So is it worth, or even morally right, to create a new pseudoanoynomous identity?
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lantry ◴[29 Mar 25 19:51 UTC] No.43518138[source]▶
It is easier to change your behavior, but it is better to change your government.
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stevenAthompson ◴[29 Mar 25 20:01 UTC] No.43518229[source]▶
We can not change the government without changing the people, and the people do not want to change.
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mfuzzey ◴[29 Mar 25 20:16 UTC] No.43518347[source]▶
why? Serious question - as a European I'm really baffled by the US these days?
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1. giraffe_lady ◴[29 Mar 25 20:42 UTC] No.43518553[source]▶
I don't mean this in a shitty way but how much of what you know about the US comes from recent (say last 40 years) media and culture sources?

Because if you read into its history, I mean we started with a genocide and chattel slavery. Then created & implemented an entirely novel and comprehensive social-legal framework to justify and manage an apartheid society for another few generations. Lynching was a beloved public spectacle just a century ago. Hitler & Hendrik Verwoerd looked to us for inspiration.

I'm american and not particularly an america-hater overall, I could create an equivalent list of positive things we've accomplished. But both are true, and the above are facts. What's happening now has always been part of our country too. We have never really reckoned with this, and it will keep coming back until we do.