This is a discussion on an article that compares an NSA data center to the Stasi archives. I chose to discuss how I find that comparison fallacious.
I am arguing that the NSA is not like the Stasi. They had different goals, different authorization, and different modus operandi. You're arguing that the NSA is bad (because they are like the Stasi). Whether the NSA is bad or not is orthogonal to my discussion.
To directly answer your reply:
1. The Stasi doesn't collect vast amounts of anything any more.
2. Has the NSA used data to ruin innocent lives? Have you any evidence that they will do so in the future?
I am arguing that the NSA is not like the Stasi. They had different goals, different authorization, and different modus operandi. You're arguing that the NSA is bad (because they are like the Stasi). Whether the NSA is bad or not is orthogonal to my discussion.
To directly answer your reply:
1. The Stasi doesn't collect vast amounts of anything any more.
2. Has the NSA used data to ruin innocent lives? Have you any evidence that they will do so in the future?