[liberationtech] Strength of Political Action, In The Era of COVID-19... More Theatrics & Side-Shows.

[Robert Mathews (OSIA)]

On 4/27/20 9:28 PM, Marc Sunet wrote:

> Robert,
>
> Thanks for your very detailed and down-to-earth summary of the situation.
>

*Marc: * You are welcome, of course......

> Your summary is very enlightening and renders the news on mainstream
> media a children's show in comparison.
>

Thank you, for your kind words. 

I should perhaps attempt to clarify a point.   It was the intention
behind my writing that, at least a cursory examination of the collective
action/reaction to the SARS-CoV2 pandemic response conditions could
enlighten us further to our mis-steps *in relation to Privacy and
Security.*  To be sure, by no means was the intention to speak solely of
*SARS-CoV2.* 

In my response, I shall attempt to do my best then, to maintain thought
connections to the subject concentration of interest to the list as well.


> [ .... ]    Your summary gives me a glimmer of hope in that it makes
> it seem like one can still make sense of the situation by asking
> basic, fundamental questions and not worrying too much about, or being
> misguided by, details and technicalities (I don't know if this was
> your intention).
>

It was my intention, Marc, to emphasize the *importance of understanding
"the problem",* both fundamentally, and comprehensively.  In direct
response to your aforementioned reference to "details and
technicalities", permit me to share the following thought.  I would
submit that, WRT SARS-CoV2, Privacy and Security, *details, and
technicalities* do play a crucial role in increasing the chances of our
'greater' and 'finer' understanding of the standing issues/accompanying
facts.

WRT to Privacy and Security, it remains my assessment that *decisive
fundamentals* are either being consistently missed, ignored or
side-stepped in discussions and operations.  To highlight this point, I
would like to refer back to the *SARS-CoV2* states - for relatability
purposes.

With respect to the *SARS-CoV2* global onslaught, for ANYONE to: *1)*
NOT PRINCIPALLY consider the "nature of beast you are dealing with" in
formulating the required public policies, and toward instantiating
actions, and *2)* irresponsibly slim-down the public (health) risks
associated with "nature of beast you are dealing with", all because "a"
certain society is UNPREPARED (whatever be the reason), and also because
widespread impressions must now be managed in the wake of public
administration failures etc., *are both, totally unacceptable
positions/conditions.*

The fact that *SARS-CoV2**is a **BSL-3* virus - is BOTH fundamentally,
and technically relevant - to how we assess/manage "risk" to the public,
and to ensure that those treatment facilities involved can be/are
properly instrumented to receive, process and treat/care for those who
are effected by *SARS-CoV2. **
*

> One question I would like to ask you: given that hospitals are not
> BSL-3 facilities and given your stance on protecting health workers
> with the right equipment, what is your opinion on how we are treating
> the other "essential" workers: teachers, grocery store workers,
> delivery people, etc? A worker on NBC news once said "we are not
> essential, we are exhausted and expendable", which seems to resonate
> well with your statements./
> /
>

Since *LiberationTech* and list membership have a focus, allow me to
answer this question of yours, in the following manner.  *Security and
Privacy are both fundamental attributes* -- essential to the maintenance
of vibrant and thriving societies.   Therefore, Security and Privacy are
*fundamental human rights* in our societies.   None should be exempt
from being afforded these human rights.

In the same way, when considering the large-scale implications related
to contracting *SARS-CoV2,* any classification of "essential" and
"non-essential" workers as such, have to be looked-upon as being
arbitrary and artificial, for *SOCIETY'S focus should NOT rest upon*
*either the 'essentiality' or 'non-essentiality' of people in crises,* 
rather, the focus and all efforts *must be extended* to the protection
and preservation of every human life.


> //
>
>> /> At the moment though, to say that we are NOT properly devoted,
>> constructed or orchestrated to attend to crucial problems related to
>> Privacy or Security of information, particularly for the "Information
>> Age", would simply be a gross understatement!/
>>
>> /> NO "APP of the Month" is going to solve the increasingly
>> gargantuan problem.   After decades of big budget expenditures toward
>> ensuring the 'Security of information', 'SECURITY" has remained elusive./
>>
> [ .... ]     I suppose the constant references to this situation as
> "war" or "war-like" are just a propagandist attempt to raise the sense
> of urgency so that they can move along without people asking too many
> questions. It seems to be a remake of past events, or maybe I am just
> completely paranoid...
>

In the matter of securing, preserving or enhancing conditions related to
human rights then, citizens everywhere  have to be better equipped to
*"govern" themselves,* which, in part, involves *possessing a clearer
understanding of '**standing issues/accompanying facts'.*  We also have
to have in place, the proper *"governance framework & accompanying
instruments"* to facilitate proper levels of *'citizen engagement'* and
*'participation',* whereupon  WILLFUL ACTIONS can be taken by the
GOVERNED, actions which are wholly based upon a clear understanding of
pertinent and standing issues/accompanying facts, as are necessary.

When individuals in society possess such strength, and 'a sense of
purpose' through that strength, the same individuals and their
respective societies CANNOT SUCCUMB to any drumbeats of, as you
describe, "war" or to other "propagandist' attempts".


> Thank you for summary, once again. I also wonder -- what is the best
> way to follow your work and your recent developments in these matters?
>
> Marc
>

You are welcome, Marc.

Regarding your question on personal research etc., regrettably, most, if
not all works are prohibited from release.  Most in our positions toil
'behind the scenes', on "getting hard problems addressed" correctly,
rather than to spend time on publishing, or toward speaking at
conferences.   However, in recent years, the opportunity for greater
public intellectual exchange has become possible.

I conclude that we have to collectively be looking at new vistas in
order to gain a better understanding of "Privacy" and "Security" as a
whole.  Toward that goal, I have attached a slide (on Barfield)
herewith, from a slide-deck I had shared at a conference last year in
Melbourne.

Additionally, if you have specific interests, and it is possible, I
shall be happy to point you in directions that are available.  
--
/Dr. Robert Mathews, D.Phil.
Principal Technologist &
//Distinguished Senior Research Scholar//
//Office of Scientific Inquiry & Applications (OSIA)//
//University of Hawai'i/
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