Topic: What do you think of surveillance cameras in American cities?
Daniel Butler
I'm a Singapore where is my boat
Member # 1689
posted
Every citizen is a potential criminal. I know that sounds cynical, but I don't trust people until and unless I get to know them and find them to be trustworthy.
Also, I want to repeat what I said before - I don't mind cameras in public places or on highways because it's public. Everyone can see what I'm doing anyway; why do I care if they add a computer to the mix? I think "privacy" is kind of a silly idea - do people really feel "violated" if someone watches them order a sandwich or something? Or do they just not want to be seen jerking off in the public restrooms?
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
I don't have a problem with public cameras in general, it's when they start tracking citizens' movements and storing that data that it crosses the line into violation of privacy.
quote:Originally posted by Daniel Butler: Every citizen is a potential criminal. I know that sounds cynical, but I don't trust people until and unless I get to know them and find them to be trustworthy.
It's okay that you personally don't trust people; it's for that very reason that my home is locked at all hours, even when we're at home. Our neighbors, Idaho natives for the most part, think our behavior is pretty funny. However, the government of any true democracy must hold the philosophy that individuals are "innocent until proven guilty". This certainly ties the hands of the government when it comes to the prosecution of criminals, but it is a fairly common belief that it is better to allow a criminal to go free than to imprison an innocent.
-------------------- "Having is not so pleasing a thing, after all, as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true."
Registered: Apr 2005
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Daniel Butler
I'm a Singapore where is my boat
Member # 1689
posted
That's a good point. I guess the argument is really about the very fine point between believing everyone to be potentially guilty or as good as guilty.
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
Are you basing this evidence on the fact that you don't try to beat one out in a public khazi, and no body has caught you?
Because that's a very small sample. (See? I mock his scientific credentials and his genitalia! Bwuahaha!)
-------------------- I have plenty of experience in biology. I bought a Tamagotchi in 1998... And... it's still alive.
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
What are the odds that any particular public restroom you may step into is equipped with surveillance cameras? Imagine that you step into the stall, seat yourself and begin your business, all the while completely unaware that some Krispy Kreme eating rent-a-cop is watching you to make sure you're not hiding any fine Sears merchandise on your person. Even if you're not doing anything more personal than using the facilities, that thought is unpleasant.
-------------------- "Having is not so pleasing a thing, after all, as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true."
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
Sean seems to have found all of them, or quit his self spanking in favor of over posting on Flare.
-------------------- "You are a terrible human, Ritten." Magnus "Urgh, you are a sick sick person..." Austin Powers A leek too, pretty much a negi.....
Registered: Sep 2000
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