Posted by: Keren | June 18, 2008

The Lives of Others

Saw the movie this afternoon with some friends.  After the movie:

* * * * *

Someone: Makes you glad we live in a democratic country, doesn’t it?
Someone Else: Well…
Someone: Back then everyone was afraid of the secret police!  It’s not like that here.
Me: [later] It’s not exactly us that they spy on.

* * * * *

Me: So, what are you doing next year?
Him: Intelligence. Arabic.
Me: [half-joking] Not listening, I hope.
Him: No, translation.
Me: Of what?
Him: Material from listening. Everything they think is… relevant.
Me: Oh.

He was not entirely unaware of the irony.

* * * * *

I know, it’s not the same.  But every time I look it seems to get closer, here and in the rest of the world.

Posted in current events, other media, personal, politics | Tags: , , , , , ,

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Responses

It’s not a huge change. If you think that ‘western’ enlightened countries don’t have wiretapping networks atleast as extensive as the old USS or R, then you’re very very optimistic. Even ignoring the NSA’s effort, between the UK, sweden and Israel, we cover the whole gamut of spying on our own citizens. It comes and goes with the social situation, but generally, the more ability to wiretap, the more exists.

By: Ace Pace on June 20, 2008
at 12:35 am

Wow that probably made no sense at all….

By: Ace Pace on June 20, 2008
at 12:36 am

The movie isn’t only about wiretapping.

They have the eavesdropping networks, but they don’t bug people’s houses as a matter of routine. They don’t use the terror tactics the Stazi used on their own citizens (though “terrorists” are fair game). Another 10 years or so in the States, though, and who knows what it’ll be like. I don’t like sounding paranoid, but 10 years ago today’s situation would have been far-fetched.

By: Carnadine on June 23, 2008
at 12:22 am

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