Decoder with Nilay Patel Recode Decode: Edward Snowden
Nov 1, 2019
Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor and whistleblower, shares his transformative journey from government patriot to privacy advocate. He discusses his motivations for leaking classified info in 2013 and the mislabeling of whistleblowers versus leakers. Snowden critiques the evolution of the internet into a space dominated by surveillance capitalism and warns against the dangers of government overreach. He also highlights the essential role of journalism in holding power accountable and the importance of protecting personal digital rights.
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Early Internet Nostalgia
- Edward Snowden fondly remembers the early internet as a cooperative, creative space.
- He laments its transformation into a competitive, commercialized platform.
The Illusion of Ownership
- The allure of convenience led users to abandon personal websites for platforms like Facebook.
- This shift created an illusion of ownership while data became corporate property.
Path to Patriotism
- Snowden's family history and the 9/11 attacks influenced his decision to join the military.
- Initially, he was completely unskeptical of government claims.
