Trump’s Recent Rhetoric Is Just as Scary as It Seems
Nov 14, 2023
auto_awesome
Guests Spencer Ackerman and Deepa Iyer discuss the issues surrounding Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and the visualizing of social movements as ecosystems. They also delve into Trump's recent rhetoric, the implications of AI technology, and the work of the Building Movement Project in community building.
Understanding the different roles within social movements can help individuals find their place and make a meaningful contribution.
Prioritizing self-care and addressing burnout is crucial in supporting movement leaders and individuals involved in social change.
There are concerns about potential abuses and loopholes in the controversial surveillance program Section 702, raising doubts about its effectiveness and potential targeting of certain groups.
Deep dives
Key Point: The social change ecosystem framework identifies different roles in movements and helps individuals understand how they can contribute to creating change.
The social change ecosystem framework identifies 10 different roles, including visionaries, builders, disruptors, frontline responders, healers, and caregivers. Each role plays a unique part in advancing the goals of a movement or community. These roles complement each other and work together to create structural change and bring about justice.
Key Point: Name the roles and value of individuals' work in movements.
Naming the different roles within movements helps highlight the valuable work individuals are doing and connects them to the larger ecosystem of a movement. It helps break down silos and allows for a greater understanding of how different roles contribute to the overall goals of the movement. By naming the roles, individuals can feel more connected, empowered, and motivated in their work.
Key Point: Burnout and helplessness are common challenges in movements.
Movement leaders and individuals involved in movements often face burnout due to the challenging nature of their work and the lack of resources and support. It is important to address burnout and prioritize self-care within movements. For those feeling helpless or disconnected from the work, understanding the different roles within movements can help individuals find their place and make a meaningful contribution, even as individuals.
Privacy Concerns and Abuses of Section 702
Section 702 is a controversial surveillance program that allows the government to collect and analyze international communications without a warrant. It has been criticized by groups like the ACLU and EFF for its potential to infringe on privacy rights. The program, which was revealed by Edward Snowden in 2013, operates through a legal justification regime known as PRISM, where major internet platforms are used to collect data. There are concerns about over-collection and over-analysis of data, as well as the lack of forthrightness in the procedures governing the program. Section 702 has been used to surveil individuals like Black Lives Matter protesters and members of Congress, and its broad use raises concerns about its original counterterrorism purpose.
Proposed Reforms and Criticisms of Section 702
Section 702 is set to expire at the end of the year unless renewed by Congress. Senator Wyden and privacy-minded groups like the ACLU support the idea of reforming the program rather than letting it expire. The proposed reforms aim to address the problem of surveillance laws lagging behind technological advancements. They suggest a framework that requires individual suspicion to sift through collected data, ensuring its use is disclosed in a court of law, and prompt purging of any irrelevant data. However, some critics, like journalist Spencer Ackerman, express concerns about abuses and loopholes that could undermine the effectiveness of these reforms, especially given the history of surveillance law being reinterpreted to allow for greater discretion by intelligence agencies. Furthermore, the political climate and collective suspicion against certain groups raise concerns about potential abuse of Section 702 for targeting individuals based on their ethnicity or activism.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Spencer Ackerman stops by the program to talk about Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act—and why Congress should consider scrapping it entirely. Deepa Iyer of the Building Movement Project stops by the podcast to share her unique way of visualizing social movements as entire ecosystems—with each person playing a distinct role in various movements and communities. Plus! Guest host Maura Quint who serves as campaign and communications work for Americans For Tax Fairness.