It's like my head

More bad science in the service of anti-GMO activism « Science-Based Medicine

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:46:38 -0400

More bad science in the service of anti-GMO activism « Science-Based Medicine

"I think Simon’s fundamental argument, “same old stuff”, is mistaken in a number of important..."

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:56:08 -0400

“

I think Simon’s fundamental argument, “same old stuff”, is mistaken in a number of important ways, and that some of this reflects our failure as technologists to communicate what modern surveillance can do.

First, there is the scope of the order. The Baltimore operation, and others like it, were limited to a specific criminal investigation. They were obtained under a warrant setting limits on what would be collected, and for how long.

The NSA program is universal and appears to be open-ended. Information is collected in aggregate. The program operates under the authority of secret court order, not a warrant. It is not clear whether the Administration even believes this type of surveillance requires a court order.

Second is the nature of the body carrying out the surveillance. In Simon’s example, this was a municipal police force, overseen by a local court.

In our case, it’s the NSA, a Federal agency whose job has traditionally been to collect foreign signals intelligence ①. The operation is overseen by a secret court system called FISC.

Third is the nature of the data being collected. When the Baltimore investigation took place, it collected a simple list of telephone numbers dialed from the monitored phones.

Modern call records contain much more data, reflecting the fact that almost all of us carry cell phones. A call record now includes unique device identifiers, routing information, cell tower IDs, and a wealth of additional information about the circumstances and location of the call. The location data is particularly powerful, turning mobile phones into de facto tracking devices whenever they are turned on.

Fourth is the question of oversight. The evidence used in the Balitmore case was collected by municipal police and presented (I’m assuming) in open court. Those against whom it was used had the chance to mount a defense, appeal the verdict to state and Federal courts, and enjoyed the presumption of innocence guaranteed to them by the Constitution.

The NSA call data is collected and used in secret. The agency is overseen as part of the very large national security establishment by a small, overworked group of legislators and senior government officials who have the requisite security clearance.

So I contend that the parallel Simon makes is false. The NSA is not a law enforcement organization, and intuitions from police reporting don’t carry over.

But even if we grant the analogy, I think there’s a more dangerous argument in Simon’s essay, which is the contention that two programs that differ only in degree are necessarily “the same old thing”. I believe this is not a safe assumption to make when talking about computers and their use in domestic surveillance.

”

- (108) The Old Reader

Dumbing of Age - Pillow talk

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:05:04 -0400

Dumbing of Age - Pillow talk

Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:14:29 -0400

Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:23:15 -0400

Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal

Bob the Angry Flower - Spoilers

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 05:32:43 -0400

Bob the Angry Flower - Spoilers

"Yep, that’s right. Men get books, interesting books even! And women get… pink stuff. Mostly paper..."

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:41:42 -0400

“Yep, that’s right. Men get books, interesting books even! And women get… pink stuff. Mostly paper products, but without words and ideas on them, and also candle and soap.. You know, pretty good-smelling things meant to please the daft. Forgive me, perhaps I’m being overly harsh towards stationary. All I’m saying is, not a single book for ladies at the book store? Alas.”

- Bookstore Says: Dads Read, Moms Like Pretty Things » Sociological Images