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0 pointsArainach3y ago0 comments

Automation and scale create their own threats.

Security cameras have existed for a long time, but storage cheap enough to keep years of footage and algorithms capable of processing thousands of streams in real time create massive privacy problems that didn't exist even with the richest companies paying humans to watch.

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the_snooze3y ago

>Automation and scale create their own threats.

I don't know why such a simple fact needs to be repeated over and over again. It's either naivete or malice that makes people ignore that fact.

A change in scale can easily lead to a change in kind. A party popper and a flashbang are functionally the same thing, but their scale makes them have wildly different implications.

FartyMcFarter3y ago

Another example is the police. Most people agree the existence of a police force to enforce laws is a good thing (society would function very differently otherwise). But if there was a policeman for each other person on the planet following them 24x7 and enforcing every possible law on them, not so much anymore.

Quantity is a quality all of its own.

awb3y ago

On the other hand, why have a law if it’s not meant to be enforced universally and consistently?

When laws are applied selectively it creates an unequal experiences in the population.

No one wants the tyranny of oppressive applications of overbearing laws. So, in those instances, change the law to be fair enough and compassionate enough that it can be applied in all instances where the letter of the law is broken.

And obviously privacy is important and ubiquitous surveillance would undermine our ability to enjoy life. But in public spaces, consistently applying fairly written compassionate laws wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing.

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Forgeties793y ago

>A change in scale can easily lead to a change in kind. A party popper and a flashbang are functionally the same thing, but their scale makes them have wildly different implications.

What a fantastic example. Borrowing this for sure.

kurthr3y ago

Yes, quantity is a quality all its own.

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