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I'm glad to see this here. I think people in general do not pay much attention to externalities. I wish to see people take a more holistic/deontological view of the fight for equality across all mankind (shit, is that a microaggression? personkind?). I'm not convinced that this over-correction ISN'T net positive either, but there is an ingrained assumption in the zeitgeist that it is a pure fight for a better world for those trodden upon. I don't think the case is so clear cut and I worry about the deafening silence when I look for introspection among those riding this wave of power. People who do not question the righteousness of their cause are frightening, whatever the cause may be. Nothing is righteous, everything is complex, I wish this was something that we could hold tightly in our collective consciousness. Subtlety and nuance is never as easy or attractive as brashness. I guess that's the nature of the beast, who would willingly attack themselves to prevent their own abuse of the power they've newly gained? Only a rare few, I doubt that will change.

"You must beware of shadows."

page 109 of The Little Schemer



Something I've said before: believing that you are a good person is dangerous, because it makes you likely to assume that what you're doing is also good just because you have good intent.

It's better to focus on trying to do good, to keep learning and adjusting.

"who would willingly attack themselves to prevent their own abuse of the power they've newly gained? Only a rare few, I doubt that will change."

Of relevance - the "least privilege principle" in computer security involves designing the system to prevent itself from doing anything which it isn't outright required to do. It involves the host of a service to even lock themselves out of as much potential access as possible (for example via end-to-end encryption).




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