Thread

1. Frieren · 1790691727 · focus · HN ↗

   The cameras in UK are there to remember citizens that they are watched. They are there for when there are peaceful protests to remember citizens that they are watched. Surveillance state created by cameras on the streets and tracking on everybody's phones is perfectly ok for our rulers.

   I hear again and again that China is "bad" but I see that western countries copy everything from them... except going after big corporations. We will gather personal data and have files for each citizen, punish peaceful protests, use social media to control the masses but punishing the rich like China does is unacceptable. That seems to be the red line that the West will not cross, the one that protects billionaries.

   1. computerex · 1790692707 · focus · HN ↗

      It's worse in western countries because we like to pretend that we are superior to the "real" authoritarian regimes. Our governments do the same bs but under the veil of "western values".

      1. vasco · 1790694040 · focus · HN ↗

         I mean in here we consume the propaganda of the USA empire, over there they consume theirs. We can say they mistreat Uyghurs and they can say we bomb Arabs. And we think we prefer our empire to theirs and they think they prefer their empire to ours. Everyone involved thinks they have the superior culture, or do you think the Chinese think differently on this?

         1. moate · 1790694830 · focus · HN ↗

            You realize there's a 3rd way which is "all the cultures/empires are corrupt and problematic" right? It's like the GOP/DEM debate in the US: Yes, there are 2 poles, but that doesn't mean they're the only possible options, just what exists currently. I don't really give a fuck what the Chinese citizens think of their empire or mine, I think both are failing the world and doing the same shit (concentrating power/resources in the hands of an unaccountable minority).

            1. vasco · 1790694975 · focus · HN ↗

               I was talking about how most people think. The large majority of people in each empire would say the other is worse, they will disagree on why but agree on that. You saying they all suck to be honest isn't much better. A more nuanced approach is needed.

               1. moate · 1790697839 · focus · HN ↗

                  What would you suggest is the "more nuanced approach"? Also, I am not some weird .1% fringe based on any polling, there's plenty of people who hate their own government and can see advantages to that of their "enemy" even if they don't want to defect.

                  Negative partisanship is the major driver in most politics because, again, the State fails to provide for the citizens, without fail, in every system, if it would infringe upon the ability of the State to amass/maintain power. It's easier to say "at least I'm not that guy" as you trample on the populous, so we agree that everyone loves a scapegoat. I can do plenty of nuance, but you started at generalizations and I was refuting that first as that's all I have to go on here.

      2. throw10920 · 1790822401 · focus · HN ↗

         Who is "we"? When did all the Western countries coalesce into a single state? What am I missing?
   2. tokai · 1790695785 · focus · HN ↗

      UK is not a normal western country in this regard, and haven't been for a generation.

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