Gaming, NSA Spying, and You: Two Games That Could Change … – The Libertarian Republic
LISTEN TO TLRS LATEST PODCAST:
By: Paul Meekin
Kotaku brought the gameOrwellto my attention today. Its a game about spying on peoples personal data in order to ascertain potential terrorist activity. Your end goal is to thwart that activity. The point of the game, in addition to being an entertaining pot boiler, is the fundamental question of when, and if, its okay to violate the privacy of human beings in order to prevent acts of terror. This is a wonderful concept and one I support fundamentally as a gamer and fan of thinking critically while playing them.
The point of the article was the question if people today even careabout privacy.The most popularcomment on the article?
I dont care. I mean first off what can we do to stop them from spying on us? Nothing. Even if we did complain they could say they stopped but keep on spying anyways.
Outside of that who cares. Let them see my life. My boring facebook posts. My boring emails once and awhile. My youtube watching. Going to Kotaku. Even any porn Ive looked at.
Actually why would you worry about what people see anyways? Unless your hiding something you have no reason to worry. Do you look at child porn? Do you hire hitmen? If not then who cares.
Sorry, I just threw up in my mouth a little.In 2013 we learned the NSA was in our business. Directly or indirectly, the fact of the matter was the NSA was gathering massive amounts of data on Americans, foreigners, and scorned lovers.
Its possible youre much like the commenter above and didnt care. You had nothing to hide and are perfectly okay with invasions of personal privacy and personal data in the name of security.
But its also possible youre a principled individual and dont think the constitution should be violated just in case youre up to no good.
The beauty of Orwellis that it could change your mind one way or another.Unfortunately, as a Mac user, I am unable to play Orwell, but I support it on principle.
A game I did play, that didchange my mind, was Tom ClancysSplinter Cell: Blacklist. Released in August 2013, a few months after the scale and scope of the NSAs activities were revealed.
The backlash to these activities was massive. But along comes Splinter Cell. Without trying and without foreknowledge of this event, it made quite a case in favor of a bit of privacy invasion. Of course the reviewer of the game disregarded the plot as Right Wing mumbo jumbo on a podcast.
But it was mumbo jumbo with a point. Splinter Cell: Blacklist is a game that demonstrates the awesome force of the Military Industrial Complex. From wire tapping to drone strikes to covert operations to warrantless searches and seizures it demonstrated what a single team of highly qualified individuals were capable of when they *werent* restrained by thebureaucracy of the federal government and the morelimiting aspects of the Constitution (and The Bill of Rights in particular).
Obviously it was just a game, and not based on fact although some of the technology is quite believable in hindsight. But the point it makes has real world applications; Just how many times have lives been saved by illegal wire tapping and covert operations we never hear about?Well never know.
How many lives make that violation of privacy worth it? Batman seems to think its about two boatloads.
The Libertarian in me says no lives are worth it. That the fundamental cost of liberty is that the federal government shouldnt be in the business of convicting people for crimes before theyre committed and spying on them, again just in case.
If were willing to violate the privacy of lives to save lives, those lives arent worth as much as we initially thought, are they?
In playing Splinter Cell, you realize America is embroiled in a war with a stacked deck. The enemy doesnt obey the laws of combat. They fight dirty and they fight mean and they behead journalists, use children as suicide bombers, and drag bodies through the street. As a result, if we fight the war as governed by the Geneva convention, were essentially playing checkers while the enemy is playing tackle football.
Games have an amazing capacity to educate while entertaining. Unlike a movie you watch, or a book you read, you participate in a game. And the best of them, from Oregon Trail to Splinter Cell to even Madden Football, can enlighten you on a subject in a way no other media can.
Regarding the NSA? I still dont know how I feel. Theres valid arguments on both sides. I lean toward getting the government out of my computer.
Then again, I have nothing to hide.
-
gamingGeorge OrwellkotakuSplinter CellSpyingvideo games
Follow this link:
Gaming, NSA Spying, and You: Two Games That Could Change ... - The Libertarian Republic
- NSA warned of vulnerabilities in Signal app a month before Houthi strike chat - CBS News - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Trump said poised to fire NSA Mike Waltz for including journalist in top secret war chat - The Times of Israel - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Not the last Waltz: Trump defends NSA after security breach - The Times of India - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- NSA warned about vulnerabilities in Signal prior to White House group chat fiasco - SiliconANGLE News - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- NSA warned the Signal app was vulnerable last month - WTIC - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Codebreakers and Covert Agents: The Women Behind the NSA and CIA heads to Illinois State Museum - WAND - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- NSA warned about using Signal a month before leak of Houthi strike chat - CBS News - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- 'Putin is giddy': NSA knew Signal was vulnerable to Russian hackers before security breach - AlterNet - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- RAW: NSA MIKE WALTZ EXPECTED TO VISIT GREENLAND - Local 3 News - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- US NSA likely to visit India in third week of April - Hindustan Times - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Statement from Secretary Rubio and NSA Waltz on Call with Zelenskyy - Department of State - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Europe must invest more in defence amid global shifts: Greeces NSA Ntokos - Firstpost - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- NSA Bahrain, NAVCENT Hold First-of-its-Kind Exercise Vigilant Resolve - navy.mil - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Former NSA boss Osei Assibey Antwi picked up by NIB - GhanaWeb - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- WHAT THE TECH? NSA recommending weekly smartphone restarts & how it improves performance - Local 3 News - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Ex-NSA cyber chief warns of devastating impact of potential DOGE-inspired firings - Breaking Defense - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Former top NSA cyber official: Probationary firings devastating to cyber, national security - CyberScoop - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Prime Targets Martha Plimpton On Her NSA Character & Why This Political Thriller Works: Never Trust People In Charge - Deadline - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Former NSA Dep. Director, Gifty Oware-Mensah will see NIB over 80k ghost names allegations - GhanaWeb - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Zelensky is not ready for peace talks, US NSA says - Mehr News Agency - English Version - March 3rd, 2025 [March 3rd, 2025]
- More Than 100 Intelligence Staffers Will Be Fired Over Sexually Explicit Texts In NSA Chatrooms, Gabbard Says - Forbes - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- NSA says it is investigating potential misuse of chat platform - The Record from Recorded Future News - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- 100-plus spies fired after NSA internal chat board used for kinky sex talk - The Register - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Tulsi Gabbard says more than 100 intelligence officers will be fired for sexually explicit NSA chat messages - CNN - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Elon Asked What Government Workers Did. The NSA Overshared - Schiff Sovereign - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Tulsi Gabbard Fires 100 Intelligence Officers for Sex Chats on NSA-Hosted Tool - The Daily Beast - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Elon Musk reacts to leaked chat alleging NSA, CIA officials discussed raising intersex babies as non-bina - The Times of India - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- What NSA, DIA agents said about Libs of TikTok, Ben Shapiro in leaked messages - The Times of India - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- NSA staff accused of lurid sex chats at work they were just discussing LGBTQ+ issues - PinkNews - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Sen. Tom Cotton reacts to lewd NSA chats: 'We don't want these people anywhere near classified information' - Fox News - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- At least 100 NSA staffers to be fired for explicit chats during work hours - WDRB - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Gifty Oware-Mensah on the run as NIB investigates NSA scandal - GhanaWeb - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- Former NSA, Cyber Command chief Paul Nakasone says U.S. falling behind its enemies in cyberspace - CyberScoop - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- NSA emphasizes strong defensive posture as it responds to report it hacked China - Washington Times - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- How the NSA Head of Accounts was undermined by his deputy for eight months after appointment - GhanaWeb - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- What Is Proteus in Zero Day? How the NSA Weapon Changes Everything - Collider - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- 'Zelenskyy will sign the minerals deal, no matter': US NSA Mike Waltz on Trump's Ukraine plan - The Economic Times - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- EXCLUSIVE: Clearcover launches Illinois-based reciprocal exchange to jumpstart entry into NSA - Re-Insurance.com - February 12th, 2025 [February 12th, 2025]
- Chief of Naval Operations Visits NSA Crane, Purdue University [Image 18 of 25] - DVIDS - February 12th, 2025 [February 12th, 2025]
- Liminal Health Launches NSA ClearPath: Revolutionizing Reimbursement for Out-of-Network Providers - PR Newswire - February 12th, 2025 [February 12th, 2025]
- Elon Musks D.O.G.E is giving the CIA and NSA nightmares now - MSN - February 12th, 2025 [February 12th, 2025]
- NSA Ajit Doval likely to visit US along with PM Modi - The Economic Times - February 12th, 2025 [February 12th, 2025]
- The NSA says do these 5 things with your phone right now - Fox News - January 30th, 2025 [January 30th, 2025]
- NSA: Iraqi territory will not be used to attack neighboring countries Iraqi News Agency - ina.iq - January 30th, 2025 [January 30th, 2025]
- NDC is not here to witch-hunt - Opare Addo to NSA staff - GhanaWeb - January 30th, 2025 [January 30th, 2025]
- NSA Warns iPhone And Android UsersDisable Location Tracking - Forbes - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Trumps incoming NSA: Hamas must have no role in governing Gaza - JNS.org - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Trump NSA Disputes Report That Neocons Are Influencing MAGA Staffing - RealClearDefense - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- US NSA lauds Ajit Doval for pivoting ties to advanced future tech - The Times of India - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- Auto insurtech Clearcover expands into Texas NSA market with CGA launch - Re-Insurance.com - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- "Cannot Think Of A Better Way To End My Tenure": US NSA On His India Visit - NDTV - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- Heightened Security At U.S. Naval Academy And NSA Annapolis: Public Access Suspended Amid Increased Force Protection Measures - Bay Net - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- From The Seabed To The Stars: 10 Takeaways From U.S. NSA Sullivans Visit - Strategic News Global - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- NSA Sullivan to visit India to finalise important ongoing initiatives: White House - The Hindu - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- What NSA Jake Sullivans India Visit Signals For Nuclear And Tech Ties As US Lifts Curbs On Indian Entities - Swarajya - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- NSA Sullivan arrives today, seeks to strengthen AI, space, tech ties - The Tribune India - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- CISA, NSA, and Partners Issue Annual Report on Top Exploited Vulnerabilities - HSToday - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Where Will The Top Amateurs at NSA Yamaha Land After the Team Closes? - Vurbmoto - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- CISA, NSA, FBI and International Partners Publish Guide for Protecting Communications Infrastructure - HSToday - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Main players backing Syrian government have been weakened by other conflicts, NSA Sullivan says - NBC News - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Trump's incoming NSA Mike Waltz wants US to dance cheek-to-check with India - The Times of India - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- What Trump's NSA Nominee Said On India's Pivotal Role In The 21st Century - NDTV - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- Exclusive: Nakasone on exploding pagers, life after the NSA and another possible government job - The Record from Recorded Future News - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- FBI, CISA, and NSA reveal most exploited vulnerabilities of 2023 - BleepingComputer - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- CISA, NSA, and Partners Issue Annual Report on Top Exploited Vulnerabilities - National Security Agency - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- 6 Principles of Operational Technology Cybersecurity released by joint NSA initiative - Security Intelligence - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- It's official FBI, CISA, and NSA reveal the most exploited vulnerabilities of 2023 - TechRadar - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- Donald Trump picks Mike Waltz as US NSA: What it means for China and India - The Times of India - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- Who is Mike Waltz, Donald Trump's new NSA pick? What are his ties to India Caucus? - Firstpost - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- NSA should not oversee the management of national facilities RexDanquah - Citi Sports Online - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- Trudeaus NSA admits to leaking secret intel alleging Indias interference to Washington Post - Firstpost - October 31st, 2024 [October 31st, 2024]
- White House dials NSA Ajit Doval: Here's what happened in the call - The Economic Times - October 31st, 2024 [October 31st, 2024]
- NSA Doval Stresses Need For Stable Indo-Pacific In Phone Call With US Counterpart Sullivan - News18 - October 31st, 2024 [October 31st, 2024]
- Director-General of NSA calls for continued support from government - GhanaWeb - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- 5G Non Standalone Nsa Architecture Market to Reach USD 240.0 - openPR - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- NSA meets with Minister Muir and DAERA to discuss industry concerns - Meat Management - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- NSA cyber chief: Espionage is now Russias focus for cyberattacks on Ukraine - The Record from Recorded Future News - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- NSA Investigating If Chinese Hackers Breached US Telecoms - Yahoo Finance - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- NSA Issues Updated Guidance on Russian SVR Cyber Operations - National Security Agency - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- News - Honoring the Stars and Stripes: NSA Philadelphia Hosts Dignified Flag Disposal Ceremony - DVIDS - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]