Chilling Effects: NSA Surveillance Drives U.S. Writers to Self-Censor
November 12, 2013 12:51 PM Subscribe
“I have dropped stories in the past and avoided research on the company telephone
due to concerns over wiretapping or eavesdropping.”
“I have made a conscious, deliberate choice to avoid certain conversation topics in electronic emails out of concern that those communications may be surveilled.” [PDF]
A survey by the literary organization PEN America shows the chilling effects NSA surveillance has had on writers in the United States.
“I have made a conscious, deliberate choice to avoid certain conversation topics in electronic emails out of concern that those communications may be surveilled.” [PDF]
A survey by the literary organization PEN America shows the chilling effects NSA surveillance has had on writers in the United States.
The actual survey responses begin on page 21, and demographics of the surveyed (not including race or gender :( ) are on the last page.
posted by Going To Maine at 1:07 PM on November 12, 2013
posted by Going To Maine at 1:07 PM on November 12, 2013
Related: EFF Files 22 Firsthand Accounts of How NSA Surveillance Chilled the Right to Association
posted by KatlaDragon at 1:08 PM on November 12, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by KatlaDragon at 1:08 PM on November 12, 2013 [4 favorites]
So, in other words, it's working.
posted by blue t-shirt at 1:20 PM on November 12, 2013 [9 favorites]
posted by blue t-shirt at 1:20 PM on November 12, 2013 [9 favorites]
Michael Hayden Claims State Secrecy Is Just Like Personal Privacy
posted by homunculus at 1:35 PM on November 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by homunculus at 1:35 PM on November 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
"The threat of exposure has caused potential visitors to stay away, and members to withdraw from the community, resulting in the church losing its voice and damaging our faith and our organization." Rev. Rick Hoyt, First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles
Any sacrifice of our rights and freedoms is justified if it keeps us safe from the Unitarian jihad.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 2:11 PM on November 12, 2013 [6 favorites]
Any sacrifice of our rights and freedoms is justified if it keeps us safe from the Unitarian jihad.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 2:11 PM on November 12, 2013 [6 favorites]
Michael Hayden: "But privacy to an individual is what secrecy is to a state.".
Didn't anyone tell him that privacy is dead and he should just get over it?
But please, NSA, give us more lectures on the importance of personal privacy.
posted by el io at 2:15 PM on November 12, 2013
Didn't anyone tell him that privacy is dead and he should just get over it?
But please, NSA, give us more lectures on the importance of personal privacy.
posted by el io at 2:15 PM on November 12, 2013
Any sacrifice of our rights and freedoms is justified if it keeps us safe from the Unitarian jihad.I'll bet that the GS13 running the Unitarian jihad (or whatever Al-queda gets called now), gets a bonus based on its Google rank.
posted by MikeWarot at 2:56 PM on November 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
One writer expressed concern that other countries will see the U.S. surveillance program as a green light to conduct their own surveillance
"Will see"?
posted by IndigoJones at 3:08 PM on November 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
"Will see"?
posted by IndigoJones at 3:08 PM on November 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Years ago, as an impressionable youngster, I had the privilege of taking a class by an Iranian emigre. One day he told us about living under a regime that kept order with its secret police. The real censuring, he said, was not the obvious list of non-allowed books, political parties, etc. No, this simply meant that people learned not to say dangerous things. That is, ideas not approved by the state.
But the most pronounced effect of the secret police and their opening mail, tapping phones and running numerous citizen informers was that a person under that threat of surveillance and arrest began to stop thinking disapproved ideas.
That's the chilling effect, and it is starting to work here -- where it never should have been able. First we stop writing certain things, then we stop associating with certain people, then we stop thinking and everyone wears flag pins and "supports the troops."
posted by slab_lizard at 3:52 PM on November 12, 2013 [16 favorites]
But the most pronounced effect of the secret police and their opening mail, tapping phones and running numerous citizen informers was that a person under that threat of surveillance and arrest began to stop thinking disapproved ideas.
That's the chilling effect, and it is starting to work here -- where it never should have been able. First we stop writing certain things, then we stop associating with certain people, then we stop thinking and everyone wears flag pins and "supports the troops."
posted by slab_lizard at 3:52 PM on November 12, 2013 [16 favorites]
To be fair, slab_lizard, we were doing that at least 30 years before Snowden's leaks.
posted by clarknova at 4:31 PM on November 12, 2013
posted by clarknova at 4:31 PM on November 12, 2013
So, what Slab_Lizard (if indeed that is his real name) is saying is that he doesn't support the troops.
posted by el io at 4:40 PM on November 12, 2013
posted by el io at 4:40 PM on November 12, 2013
Definitely a known Communist, judging from his Klout score and other secret intelligence data.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 4:43 PM on November 12, 2013
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 4:43 PM on November 12, 2013
“Today I was refused entrance to the U.S.” - Ilija Trojanow and U.S. Securitarianism
Previously.
posted by homunculus at 5:34 PM on November 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Previously.
posted by homunculus at 5:34 PM on November 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
___ _____ ___ _ ___ _______ ___ ___ ___ ________ ____ _____ _______ ______ __ __ __ _______. __ ___: _____ ____ ________ __ __ ___ _______ NSA _____ ______ ___ __________. ____ __________ __ ___________.
posted by ZenMasterThis at 5:59 PM on November 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by ZenMasterThis at 5:59 PM on November 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Any sacrifice of our rights and freedoms is justified if it keeps us safe from the Unitarian jihad.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow
Fixed that for you!
posted by Dreidl at 6:24 PM on November 12, 2013
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow
Fixed that for you!
posted by Dreidl at 6:24 PM on November 12, 2013
Ned G: "Because the NSA is people too."
The NSA is PEOPLE. And they taste like rancid pork!
Hold on. Someone at the door.
jwhqiefhirgygrv..................................
posted by Splunge at 6:30 PM on November 12, 2013
The NSA is PEOPLE. And they taste like rancid pork!
Hold on. Someone at the door.
jwhqiefhirgygrv..................................
posted by Splunge at 6:30 PM on November 12, 2013
Dear NSA, lick my sack.
Love, Metafilter.
posted by Renoroc at 6:55 PM on November 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
Love, Metafilter.
posted by Renoroc at 6:55 PM on November 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
Dear America
I love you, you know that. We were an item, for decades! I know I've been away a long time, and I miss you, I really do. But, really, we can't get back together unless you start facing reality, and clean up your act.
It's not enough that you have been exposed. So what? Exposure only takes the gloves off. The exposed behavior must change, not simply be shoved under cover, hidden from all eyes.
But it's worse. It's gone on too long and too far, and too deep. You've made of our relationship a laughing stock. You've squandered your reputation and acted a complete whore. Where once you'd refuse business based on human rights, you now refuse human rights based on the need to do business. Can I be more clear than that?
Rehab isn't easy! There's MUCH you must do! But I doubt it will happen. People in high places are going to absolutely need to be cast, not only down, but into prison. You can't keep "looking forward", acting like the past didn't happen. That's bullshit, and no one is fooled by that shit anymore. It must stop, now. Worse, the ones looking forward are now obviously looking forward as a way to misdirect everyone else in hopes (now dashed!) they won't notice the malfeasance of the forward-looker.
The only alternative is an end. You will eat yourself and disintegrate, like every empire that has gone before you. The longer you continue this course, the worse that end will be. It can't be helped, that's how these things work, like natural law.
Clean up your act! NOW.
Love
Goofyy
posted by Goofyy at 1:24 AM on November 13, 2013
I love you, you know that. We were an item, for decades! I know I've been away a long time, and I miss you, I really do. But, really, we can't get back together unless you start facing reality, and clean up your act.
It's not enough that you have been exposed. So what? Exposure only takes the gloves off. The exposed behavior must change, not simply be shoved under cover, hidden from all eyes.
But it's worse. It's gone on too long and too far, and too deep. You've made of our relationship a laughing stock. You've squandered your reputation and acted a complete whore. Where once you'd refuse business based on human rights, you now refuse human rights based on the need to do business. Can I be more clear than that?
Rehab isn't easy! There's MUCH you must do! But I doubt it will happen. People in high places are going to absolutely need to be cast, not only down, but into prison. You can't keep "looking forward", acting like the past didn't happen. That's bullshit, and no one is fooled by that shit anymore. It must stop, now. Worse, the ones looking forward are now obviously looking forward as a way to misdirect everyone else in hopes (now dashed!) they won't notice the malfeasance of the forward-looker.
The only alternative is an end. You will eat yourself and disintegrate, like every empire that has gone before you. The longer you continue this course, the worse that end will be. It can't be helped, that's how these things work, like natural law.
Clean up your act! NOW.
Love
Goofyy
posted by Goofyy at 1:24 AM on November 13, 2013
Isn't it more correct to say that fear drives people to self-censor? Assuming the NSA surveillance story is actually real (which I kind of doubt, but that's a different story), it has been going on for a long time. All that has changed is that people know a little more about it now. Nothing concrete, really, just that it is Bigger Than They Thought. The NSA didn't change their behavior; their own fears and imaginations did.
We won't preserve our freedoms by cowering in fear. We maintain our freedoms by continuing to use them.
posted by gjc at 7:27 AM on November 13, 2013
We won't preserve our freedoms by cowering in fear. We maintain our freedoms by continuing to use them.
posted by gjc at 7:27 AM on November 13, 2013
Facebook Patented Making NSA Data Handoffs Easier
posted by jeffburdges at 7:35 AM on November 13, 2013
posted by jeffburdges at 7:35 AM on November 13, 2013
If you want to see the chilling effect in action, search Google News for articles about the Trans-Pacific Partnership document leaked this morning. Count which of those articles were published in major U.S. news outlets. Currently the count is 0.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 10:09 AM on November 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 10:09 AM on November 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
That's the first I've heard of it. Thanks for the heads up.
WikiLeaks publishes secret draft of Trans-Pacific Partnership treaty
Moyers & Company did a bit on TPP a couple of weeks ago:
Why are the contents of a major US-led trade deal being deliberately kept from the American people?
posted by homunculus at 10:42 AM on November 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
WikiLeaks publishes secret draft of Trans-Pacific Partnership treaty
Moyers & Company did a bit on TPP a couple of weeks ago:
Why are the contents of a major US-led trade deal being deliberately kept from the American people?
posted by homunculus at 10:42 AM on November 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
First Leaked TPP Chapter Evokes Memories of SOPA
posted by homunculus at 11:01 AM on November 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by homunculus at 11:01 AM on November 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
The NYT on why it delayed first surveillance story
posted by homunculus at 11:03 AM on November 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by homunculus at 11:03 AM on November 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
South Africa Plans To Terminate And Renegotiate Treaties That Include Corporate Sovereignty
posted by jeffburdges at 11:06 AM on November 13, 2013
posted by jeffburdges at 11:06 AM on November 13, 2013
Our Government Has Weaponized the Internet. Here’s How They Did It
techdirt excerpt : End-To-End Encryption Isn't Just About Privacy, But Security
posted by jeffburdges at 8:30 AM on November 19, 2013
techdirt excerpt : End-To-End Encryption Isn't Just About Privacy, But Security
posted by jeffburdges at 8:30 AM on November 19, 2013
Feds Deploy National Spy System of Microphones Capable of Recording Conversations
Is Self-Censorship In Outdoor Conversations next?
posted by jeffburdges at 9:01 AM on November 19, 2013
Is Self-Censorship In Outdoor Conversations next?
posted by jeffburdges at 9:01 AM on November 19, 2013
Petition : Reform ECPA: Tell the Government to Get a Warrant (see also vanishingrights.com)
Related techdirt posts :
Senators Tell Court There's No Evidence That Bulk Phone Record Collection Was Useful
FISA Court Tells The DOJ That It Needs To Explain Why It's Ignoring Order To Declassify Surveillance Opinion
With Repeated Reports Of Long-Term NSA Abuses, Does Anyone Actually Believe NSA Is Following The Law Today?
posted by jeffburdges at 4:44 AM on November 21, 2013
Related techdirt posts :
Senators Tell Court There's No Evidence That Bulk Phone Record Collection Was Useful
FISA Court Tells The DOJ That It Needs To Explain Why It's Ignoring Order To Declassify Surveillance Opinion
With Repeated Reports Of Long-Term NSA Abuses, Does Anyone Actually Believe NSA Is Following The Law Today?
posted by jeffburdges at 4:44 AM on November 21, 2013
Inside America's Plan to Kill Online Privacy Rights Everywhere
posted by jeffburdges at 6:01 AM on November 21, 2013
posted by jeffburdges at 6:01 AM on November 21, 2013
Top-Secret Document Reveals NSA Spied On Porn Habits As Part Of Plan To Discredit 'Radicalizers'
The NSA's Porn-Surveillance Program: Its targets extend beyond suspected terrorists—and some rhetoric that the First Amendment would protect is singled out.
posted by homunculus at 1:02 PM on November 29, 2013 [2 favorites]
The NSA's Porn-Surveillance Program: Its targets extend beyond suspected terrorists—and some rhetoric that the First Amendment would protect is singled out.
posted by homunculus at 1:02 PM on November 29, 2013 [2 favorites]
An open letter from Carl Bernstein to Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger: Watergate scandal journalist's letter comes as Guardian editor prepares to appear before MPs over Edward Snowden leaks
More in the more recent thread.
posted by homunculus at 1:46 PM on December 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
More in the more recent thread.
posted by homunculus at 1:46 PM on December 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
South Korean Spy Agency Allegedly Tried To Influence Presidential Vote
posted by jeffburdges at 2:05 PM on December 9, 2013
posted by jeffburdges at 2:05 PM on December 9, 2013
CyanogenMod to have built in text message encryption system (via)
posted by jeffburdges at 2:12 AM on December 10, 2013
posted by jeffburdges at 2:12 AM on December 10, 2013
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If I spend any time batting around unsavory ideas in e-mail, I usually sign off on one of them with the same phrase.
Pretty much, I expect to be arrested at some point. I have a feeling the NSA doesn't have much of a sense of humor.
posted by headspace at 1:02 PM on November 12, 2013 [4 favorites]