Bruce Schneier: we have the power to render terrorism ineffective -- "Refuse to be terrorized."
Last edited Tue Apr 16, 2013, 11:34 AM - Edit history (1)
http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/04/the-boston-marathon-bombing-keep-calm-and-carry-on/275014/As the details about the bombings in Boston unfold, it'd be easy to be scared. It'd be easy to feel powerless and demand that our elected leaders do something -- anything -- to keep us safe.
It'd be easy, but it'd be wrong. We need to be angry and empathize with the victims without being scared. Our fears would play right into the perpetrators' hands -- and magnify the power of their victory for whichever goals whatever group behind this, still to be uncovered, has. We don't have to be scared, and we're not powerless. We actually have all the power here, and there's one thing we can do to render terrorism ineffective: Refuse to be terrorized.
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)longship
(40,416 posts)(Please check your spelling, BTW)
He's the one who coined the term, security theater, to describe some of the oppressive security rules implemented since 9-11 as ineffective and useless.
He is a firm supporter of random checks, even grandma.
I like this guy. He's very smart.
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)As the details about the bombings in Boston unfold its easy to forget that Boston was one of the main cities funding the IRA prior to 9/11 after which the US concluded it might be expedient to class the IRA as a terrorist organisation. Boston and NY + IRA funding is an easy subject to search.
List of effects contributed to here : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_bombings_during_the_Northern_Ireland_Troubles_and_peace_process
Yes - refuse to be terrorized was what we did in the UK. Missus and I missed this one by about 30 minutes whilst out shopping on a Saturday morning http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrods_bombing My wife left the store by the Hans Crescent exit where the car bomb was.
RussBLib
(8,985 posts)Although for the next several weeks or so, the news media is going to stoke anxiety and fear and every public event will have extra layers of security.
So it's a paradox. While the people should carry on and go on with their lives, the government and various security apparatuses do need to provide some extra scrutiny. It's a dance between security and freedom.
I bet you the culprits in Boston will be homegrown "Patriots" who only watch FOX and listen to Alex Jones and Rush.
yurbud
(39,405 posts)alarimer
(16,245 posts)I agree with Bruce, but many people want someone to protect them at all times, even if it means giving up a certain amount of freedom.