There is a world of different between being conscious and realistic about potential abilities (all communications being stored for example) and accepting this as a status quo, not challenging this and asserting that there is no alternative direction that it can be taken in.
At different points throughout history, it was unfathomable that women would be able to vote, black people would have equal rights or that dictator ships would end.
Is it realistic to think that these multi billion dollar projects would now be abandoned? It wouldn't be the first, in fact, a lot of these things are subjected to economic realities, any large financial project can come to a halt no matter how big the investment. Pressures can come politically, socially, technologically and economically, thinking certain things are set in stone, that's not just unrealistic, it is defeatist, pessimistic, and negative.
As for personal strategies, there's also a world of difference between settling for the status quo and working to fight against it, even in small ways. It's a different starting point, instead of powerlessness, it's a position of power. Want to diminish snooping? Be more discerning about what data you make available, close your FB account for example. That's saying: I don't accept the status quo set by corporations and agencies. That's just a small example. Choose webservices that provide better safeguards and respect personal data. Another small example.
I'm all for accepting reality if it means that in doing one can recognize a status quo that needs to be changed while understanding that a 'new' reality starts with an idea that change is possible, if not inevitable.
At different points throughout history, it was unfathomable that women would be able to vote, black people would have equal rights or that dictator ships would end.
Is it realistic to think that these multi billion dollar projects would now be abandoned? It wouldn't be the first, in fact, a lot of these things are subjected to economic realities, any large financial project can come to a halt no matter how big the investment. Pressures can come politically, socially, technologically and economically, thinking certain things are set in stone, that's not just unrealistic, it is defeatist, pessimistic, and negative.
As for personal strategies, there's also a world of difference between settling for the status quo and working to fight against it, even in small ways. It's a different starting point, instead of powerlessness, it's a position of power. Want to diminish snooping? Be more discerning about what data you make available, close your FB account for example. That's saying: I don't accept the status quo set by corporations and agencies. That's just a small example. Choose webservices that provide better safeguards and respect personal data. Another small example.
I'm all for accepting reality if it means that in doing one can recognize a status quo that needs to be changed while understanding that a 'new' reality starts with an idea that change is possible, if not inevitable.