Surveillance Valley: The Secret Military History of the Internet with Yasha Levine
Feb 25, 2018
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Yasha Levine, a journalist focused on military and internet intersections, shares insights from his book. He discusses the military origins of the internet and its evolution from ARPANET to widespread civilian use. Levine addresses the complexities of surveillance, encryption challenges, and the ethical implications of cybernetics. He also highlights IBM's troubling history with technology during the Holocaust, the cultural impacts of counterculture movements, and critiques of privacy technologies. The conversation reveals how technology's roles often reflect societal power dynamics.
Yasha Levine emphasizes that the internet's origins in military projects shape its current surveillance capabilities and implications today.
The transformation of ARPA into DARPA illustrates the military's enduring influence on technological advancements and their applications beyond warfare.
Levine critiques organizations like the EFF for inadequately addressing corporate misconduct while focusing primarily on government surveillance matters.
The optimistic narrative around technology, as propagated by figures like Stuart Brand, often overlooks the lingering military roots in tech development.
To ensure privacy and freedom, Levine argues for collective action that challenges systemic issues rather than relying solely on individual privacy tools.
Deep dives
Yasha Levine's Background and Controversial Views
Yasha Levine is a journalist and author known for his critical stance on technology's military roots. He discussed his experience as a former editor of The Exile and his works, including Surveillance Valley, where he highlights how internet technology originated from military projects. Levine’s controversial article on Tor, which claimed that its developers were largely funded by the US government, shocked many and reflects his critical perspective on the relationship between corporate technology and government interests. This narrative sets the premise for an in-depth conversation about the pervasive surveillance associated with the internet today.
The Origins of the Internet: ARPA and Defense
The Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), now known as DARPA, was established in response to the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik, which showcased its missile capabilities. ARPA aimed to advance technology for national defense, focusing on real-time communication systems that could strengthen American military control. The agency initially intended for ARPA's developments, including the early internet, to serve military objectives while seeking to reduce bureaucratic challenges faced by traditional military operations. This history emphasizes how military interests shaped the internet’s foundational technologies and their purpose.
ARPA's Evolution and Counterinsurgency Focus
As ARPA evolved, it shifted focus toward counterinsurgency during the Vietnam War, adapting to the rise of guerrilla warfare and domestic protests. Military planners believed a new type of warfare required advanced technology to monitor and control dissent, which led to the development of innovative surveillance systems. The strategies employed during this time, including high-tech tools for population control, foreshadowed later internet capabilities and their dual-use nature in both warfare and civilian life. This connection explores the darker implications of technological advancements stemming from military roots.
Influence of Cybernetics and Its Military Roots
Norbert Wiener’s concept of cybernetics played a crucial role in shaping modern military technology, focusing on the relationship between humans, machines, and information flow. Wiener’s work not only influenced the development of computers and algorithms but also served military applications, perpetuating the cycle of surveillance and control. The idea that information could manipulate behavior echoed through technology's evolution, ultimately leading industries to adopt this mindset without recognizing the ethical ramifications. This foundation of intertwining military intentions with technology set the stage for today's pervasive surveillance culture.
The Impact of Stuart Brand and the Whole Earth Catalog
Stuart Brand, known for creating the Whole Earth Catalog, transformed technological discourse from military applications to a more optimistic vision, advocating for decentralized technologies and communal living. His ideas inspired many in the computing world, influencing figures like Steve Jobs, who viewed technology as a means for liberation. This shift marked a turning point, as the military connections became overshadowed by a more utopian narrative where technology could empower individuals and create social change. However, this perspective often ignored the lingering military influence inherent in tech development.
The Emergence and Privatization of the Internet
The ARPANET transitioned into the civilian realm in the 1980s, evolving into the NSFNET, a collaborative project by the National Science Foundation to connect universities and research institutions. The NSFNET was deliberately designed to be privatized once it gained traction, allowing corporations to capitalize on what would become the internet. This transition underscores the balance that existed between government funding and private enterprise aspirations, paving the way for the internet to move from a military asset to a commercial resource fueling the tech boom. This development accentuates the complex relationship between state and corporate interests in shaping online infrastructure.
Wired Magazine's Role in Cultivating Technological Utopianism
Wired magazine emerged in the 1990s as a primary force in reframing technology from military focus to a lifestyle narrative, often portraying it as a liberating tool for society. Founded by Louis Rossetto, its editorial stance embraced the intersections of military and computing advancements without critical scrutiny, contributing significantly to the tech industry’s mythology. This marketing approach blurred the lines between public interest and corporate motives, shaping the public’s perception of technology as inherently good. The magazine’s influence enabled powerful narratives around tech companies that continue to resonate today.
The Evolving Nature of Privacy and Surveillance
Organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), initially seen as advocates for privacy rights, have been critiqued for focusing predominantly on government surveillance while remaining tacit about corporate misconduct. Funding from major tech companies shifted their focus and diluted their stance, promoting individualistic solutions like encryption over collective action to challenge systemic issues. This shift has raised concerns that they redirect energy from comprehensive privacy movements into ineffective technological fixes. An emphasis on corporate accountability is crucial, as the power dynamics within the tech industry dictate the broader surveillance landscape.
Reflections on the Future of Surveillance and Activism
The discussion encompasses the future landscape of privacy, technology, and surveillance, emphasizing the need for robust political action in the face of pervasive corporate and government control. While tools like Signal or Tor may offer some personal safety, they distract from the pressing need for systemic reform in the technology sector. Understanding that technological advancements will always be exploited for power reinforces the necessity for active engagement beyond just using apps for privacy. Ultimately, the path towards true change lies in collective, informed efforts to confront the underlying systems governing today's technology.
Robbie Martin interviews journalist Yasha Levine about his new book Surveillance Valley: The Secret Military History of the Internet.
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