<story><title>It’s time for Silicon Valley to ask: Is it worth it?</title><url>http://pandodaily.com/2013/10/31/its-time-for-silicon-valley-to-ask-is-it-worth-it/</url></story><parent_chain><item><author>Cookingboy</author><text>What I&amp;#x27;m about to say may be too unpopular on HackerNews.&lt;p&gt;Have you considered the possibility that not everyone shares the same moral standard and ideology? People came from different backgrounds and have different experiences, and most things are not black and white, but different shades of gray in this world.&lt;p&gt;I&amp;#x27;m sure there are people who consider the Fourth Amendment to be obsolete just like there are people who consider the same for the Second Amendment.&lt;p&gt;I&amp;#x27;m not saying I agree with it, but for people who believe they are actually serving their country, and in this era&amp;#x27;s unique geopolitical landscape, all means are justified, they WOULD be proud of their work for the NSA.&lt;p&gt;You came across as condescending due to the fact that you put yourself on a moral high ground from the phasing of the question.</text></item><item><author>sharkweek</author><text>I have an honest and serious question -- who are the developers and designers who put these systems into place for the NSA? Are they aware of what they&amp;#x27;re doing or is it all classified and contracted out? Are they proud of their work? Is it just a paycheck? Surely someone with such a high aptitude could easily get a job elsewhere -- I guess I&amp;#x27;m just unable to make the connection on who willingly builds this kind of stuff.&lt;p&gt;I&amp;#x27;m not trying to be intentionally obtuse, I just legitimately am curious</text></item></parent_chain><comment><author>angersock</author><text>Well, let&amp;#x27;s just admit the moral highground here, and take a stand:&lt;p&gt;These people are Wrong. We are Right, because we stand for personal privacy and liberty--ideals incompatible with their ideals.&lt;p&gt;There&amp;#x27;s the line in the sand.</text></comment>
<story><title>It’s time for Silicon Valley to ask: Is it worth it?</title><url>http://pandodaily.com/2013/10/31/its-time-for-silicon-valley-to-ask-is-it-worth-it/</url></story><parent_chain><item><author>Cookingboy</author><text>What I&amp;#x27;m about to say may be too unpopular on HackerNews.&lt;p&gt;Have you considered the possibility that not everyone shares the same moral standard and ideology? People came from different backgrounds and have different experiences, and most things are not black and white, but different shades of gray in this world.&lt;p&gt;I&amp;#x27;m sure there are people who consider the Fourth Amendment to be obsolete just like there are people who consider the same for the Second Amendment.&lt;p&gt;I&amp;#x27;m not saying I agree with it, but for people who believe they are actually serving their country, and in this era&amp;#x27;s unique geopolitical landscape, all means are justified, they WOULD be proud of their work for the NSA.&lt;p&gt;You came across as condescending due to the fact that you put yourself on a moral high ground from the phasing of the question.</text></item><item><author>sharkweek</author><text>I have an honest and serious question -- who are the developers and designers who put these systems into place for the NSA? Are they aware of what they&amp;#x27;re doing or is it all classified and contracted out? Are they proud of their work? Is it just a paycheck? Surely someone with such a high aptitude could easily get a job elsewhere -- I guess I&amp;#x27;m just unable to make the connection on who willingly builds this kind of stuff.&lt;p&gt;I&amp;#x27;m not trying to be intentionally obtuse, I just legitimately am curious</text></item></parent_chain><comment><author>sharkweek</author><text>No condescension intended, I am honestly just more curious -- I&amp;#x27;d love to read some honest, uncensored interviews from people working on these things, mostly to just get their side of things.&lt;p&gt;I totally agree that people have varying beliefs on this stuff and for some this might be just as noble as any other way of serving their country.</text></comment>