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571 points layer8 | 15 comments | | HN request time: 2.312s | source | bottom
1. stinkbeetle ◴[] No.45766732[source]
If I was a conspiracy theorist I might think that the ruling class who so desperately want these kinds of powers are intentionally dividing nations and breaking down social cohesion so the populace must turn to the governments for protection. They're hoping to create societies where the people will beg them to scan private messages rather than to demand rights.

Give it another 10 years the way things are going, and I'm sure it will be back.

replies(6): >>45766976 #>>45767151 #>>45767264 #>>45769891 #>>45770663 #>>45771413 #
2. lysace ◴[] No.45766976[source]
In practice it's a combination of:

a) wanting to soon expand this scheme to catch criminal gang communication (violent narco-related crime is exploding in e.g. some northern EU countries) [center-right goal]

b) wanting to make people more nervous about what they post online (immigration vs crime etc is a hot topic that many want to cool down). [center-left goal]

I suppose that there might also be some naive idealists that primarily care about the stated goal.

replies(1): >>45767040 #
3. stinkbeetle ◴[] No.45767040[source]
In practice it is entirely about wanting to expand the power of the state and cement its supremacy over the rights of the individual.

Those other things are a means to this end. They would be extremely happy for there to be more crime and more unrest about immigration if it meant they could seize powers like these.

replies(1): >>45767051 #
4. lysace ◴[] No.45767051{3}[source]
> They would be extremely happy for there to be more crime and more unrest about immigration if it meant they could seize powers like these.

What country is this? Sounds really bad.

replies(1): >>45767160 #
5. tavavex ◴[] No.45767151[source]
> Give it another 10 years the way things are going, and I'm sure it will be back.

I'm giving it 10 months or less. The rate at which things are worsening (in most aspects, not just this) seems to be rapidly climbing from my point of view.

6. stinkbeetle ◴[] No.45767160{4}[source]
What country is where the state's primary purpose is to perpetuate the power of the state, and where the ruling class desperately want to take more power and rights from the people? Lots of them. Denmark, for one.
replies(1): >>45767188 #
7. lysace ◴[] No.45767188{5}[source]
It sounds like you are approaching this from a Marxist perspective. Have you tried thinking about this from other perspectives? (Just as an exercise.)
replies(1): >>45767322 #
8. willmadden ◴[] No.45767264[source]
I don't think sockpuppet, aspiring actor to politician EU governments will be around in 10 years. People are waking up.
9. stinkbeetle ◴[] No.45767322{6}[source]
That's not an argument.
replies(1): >>45767335 #
10. lysace ◴[] No.45767335{7}[source]
You're right - it's an observation and an idea.
replies(1): >>45767370 #
11. stinkbeetle ◴[] No.45767370{8}[source]
Yes I am right. And now allow me to observe and suggest: It sounds like you're having a bad day. Why don't you try again tomorrow if you feel better then?
replies(1): >>45767375 #
12. lysace ◴[] No.45767375{9}[source]
Okay, I was trying to be constructive. Have a good night.
13. themafia ◴[] No.45769891[source]
> must turn to the governments for protection.

It's so they can sell you out to corporate interests more effectively. It's a modern day fiefdom.

14. HPsquared ◴[] No.45770663[source]
Deus Ex intro scene has a good line on this... "In the end, they'll beg us to save them".
15. jonbiggums22 ◴[] No.45771413[source]
The main purpose is to identify any nascent organization of political opposition to the status quo so it can be destroyed in its infancy with a minimum amount of resources. It will be used to solve some crimes too but solving crimes still involves a lot of manpower (expensive) and if they solved crime people would be less supportive of expanding surveillance powers even further so you don't really want to do a great job at that.