While the constitutionality of the surveillance is at stake, everyone is challenging the government’s surveillance program on the understanding that the surveillance program seems to be infringing on their personal privacy. However, this seems to be one of the cases of double standards as the law is applied differently considering the fact that this is the era of freedom of press where everyone is free to say anything as long as it does not violates anyone’s freedom. For example, when the government violates one’s privacy, it is protecting the Americans, but when its programs are exposed, one becomes a fugitive. Is it a case of realism or paranoia because after the wiki leaks, the government is still to learn that there is not secrecy in public? Perhaps the government should reconsider its stand on surveillance or offer a plausible explanation for the same. I consider Edwards Snowden a patriot, and a hero for doing what is right.
image :Edward Snowden has been granted temporary asylum in Russia
Currently, we are in the age of user generated content where the social media users can generate any content and share with the general public and Snowden’s case is one of those contents. I am a prosumer, and so are Snowden. I consider myself a prosumer in the context of the social media because I can create, my won content, edit other peoples content, and share to others who will consider me a producer. Snowden is just a prosumer (produce and consumers) of the contents and is free to share his content. Perhaps it is important to redefine the term freedom and constitutionality of actions or programs. However, information on the unauthorized collection of data on Americans or eavesdropping on foreign intelligence targets that entered the United States is not illegal; neither is sharing the same information. Never the less, it seems that the current system does not follow the traditional production- consumption paradigm (Ritzer, &, Jurgenson, 2010, p. 25).Controlling information is the beginning of the downfall of man, and so is the prosecution of the society members who work hard to make information accessible. The Snowden case, is not supposed to be a case worth much hullabaloo if the government was not doing anything illegal.
It is real because the government has admitted to some degree about its NSA surveillance programs. While the government has admitted collecting unauthorized data through their NSA surveillance program, it is not clear why the government fails to explain who watches the watchers because even the American community is in need of forthright complete information that the NSA is not providing. Using the position of power to infringe on the privacy of Americans, and the world community at large is not right especially when there is not adequate explanation. When freedom of expression would be realized even in the most ideologically developed country like America. Considering the case of wiki leaks, it is becoming clear that the American government does have the best interest of the Americans when they violate their privacy an break the same rules that were designed to protect them.
The NSA overreach is the worst example of surveillance because it seems the surveillance program does more than collect intelligence, as the people who work to protect the country are the same-labeled traitors and not patriot. I think the Snowden case will have many externalities and many relations will be strained by the time the case is over (Wood, & Wood, 2013).
Reference:
Wood, A., & Wood., T. O. (2013, August 01). Snowden case: What’s in it for Russia? CNN. Retrieved August 26, 2013, from http://edition.cnn.com/2013/08/01/opinion/opinion-snowden-wood
George Ritzer and Nathan Jurgenson, (2010). Production,Consumption, Prosumption:The nature of capitalism in the age of the digital 'prosumer. Journal of Consumer Culture 2010 10: 13
Hi Ella,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog, you certainly seem passionate about this topic and it shines through. I also feel that government and surveillance programs encroach on personal freedoms, and also feel that it is a double standard. I feel that it is a case of “Say what you want you have freedom of speech, however we will be watching”. Your personal example of the concept of presume is well written. It would have been good if you had added a example of the Australian Government and surveillance rather than just American but understand that we do have a limited word count and you can always add in everything you want apart from that great post!
Surveillance has been a subject which has become quite prominent in our media since Wiki leaks came to light. Your writing is highly researched and you can tell that you really believe what you are writing. Surveillance by the government is a tricky thing to analyse and I admire that you’ve taken such a strong opinion on the matter. I liked how you weaved the Snowden case throughout the post to back up your arguments that surveillance and controlling of information is wrong. One of the best and most interesting posts I have read.
ReplyDeleteHello Ella,
ReplyDeleteThis is a difficult subject to tackle and you have raised a number of interesting points, yet you often back them up with unsubstantiated arguments.
What I mean is that in many cases you have not mentioned the sources of your justifications or that of the facts and/or examples that you are using in your argumentation.
It is obvious that you have done a lot of research on the subject yet that lack of referencing is an issue that you should tackle with great attention. That way you would be able to protect your views and assert your ideas in a way that would not be refutable.
Please be aware that if you don't use references your facts become mere opinions and your argumentation thus loses overall credibility.
That would be a shame considering the potential of your post as a great starting point for a challenging in depth debate.
Hi Ella,
ReplyDeleteI liked your take on prosumerism in relation to surveillance and the Snowden case. You seem very passionate about the issue and that made me want to read more of your post.
However, I must admit I wasn't enticed to read your post first hand. I think structuring your blog in such a way that you have smaller paragraphs would really make it more enticing, as the big chunk's of text are quite off-putting. I also think re-reading your blog a few times just to check for grammatical errors would help too, as I noticed quite a few. Also, make sure you reference your claims as you may lose credibility on your argument with unsubstantiated comments.
Hey Ella, you blog seems very passionate and you make it very clear your opinions of Snowden and the actions of the American Government. I enjoyed reading your take but wish I was presented with some facts to back up what you say. It was a good take calling Snowden a prosumer and your last point of who’s watching the watcher was a very well put. Grammar, especially in the second paragraph was bad keep an eye on that and try and space it out a bit more and some links to the Snowden case would of added to your piece.
ReplyDelete