One of the answers is perjure.

Yes, but there`s almost none of that left... would say this girl:

The Supreme Court ruled today that Arizona public school officials violated the constitutional rights of a teenage girl when they searched her for prescription-strength ibuprofen: http://www.litigationandtrial.com/2009/06/articles/the-law/for-people/roundup-on-safford-united-school-district-v-redding-the-ibuprofen-stripsearch-case/

Most voters checking the one and only false answer indicates there`s still lot of optimists around. Reassuring, that is!

Is there such a thing as too much privacy?

Nanna

Originally written by Nanna Mercer on June 26, 2009 2:19 PM Is there such a thing as too much privacy?

Not sure, to tell you the truth. Some recent and not very recent events (Austria, Italy and elsewhere) would show there is. But it is not deviations that I`m curious about.

Originally written by Dodo Kaipdodo on June 26, 2009 8:13 PM Most voters checking the one and only false answer indicates there`s still lot of optimists around. Reassuring, that is!

The fact that most people say they enjoy their privacy simply means that they are not paranoid about the fact that some details of their life are known to whoever.

Originally written by Jacek K. on June 26, 2009 2:55 PM The fact that most people say they enjoy their privacy simply means that they are not paranoid about the fact that some details of their life are known to whoever.

There is a difference between "some details" and "everything". There`s also a diference between "paranoid" and "lazy" (or "hedonistic", might well be), but I won`t go into that now

People saying they enjoy privacy are optimists. Blind to reality, too, I`m sorry to note.

There`s little privacy when people are unwilling or even afraid to switch their mobiles off, even when going to sleep. There`s little privacy when people are restless and nervous if they have not checked their email box first thing in the morning. But that`s their own choice, at least until it becomes an addiction, and therefore their own business.

There`s no privacy where cash is replaced by cards and other kinds of E-money.  With the buying and eating habits and even entertainment preferences being monitored (some flack whales even admit they do that all the time, for successful subliminal advertising), privacy is replaced by being subtly or not so subtly manipulated. And not like puppets - like plasticine, because pugging plasticine is easier than manipulating puppets. Whether this is "own choise" and "own business" I don`t know.

The above are just dribs and drabs. Any thorough study would take up too much time and space. Too lazy for that, sorry...

I understand Dodo's point about the way that electronic communications have eroded privacy, but in many substantial ways most westerners have much more privacy than they have ever had.  Most western children have their own bedrooms.  Not too long ago, most people lived in small, crowded houses with few rooms - and few beds - and had little to no "privacy," as we understand that term to mean.

I agree with David, at least this is the general feeling where I live. In some countries or some places you could not even leave your home without wearing whatever is expected from you to wear, at least in the past. This is just an example of many more things limiting personal freedom and privacy. 

It would have helped to know in what context the question was meant.  I considered that I work surrounded by the four walls of my own home, with respectful family members, so that seemed private.  My clients only want to know about business: private.  My neighbours may help me carry heavy groceries to the door but they don't pry about my affairs: private.  That's what I thought you meant.

Now I read the statement where you insist that if I believe my life is private then I am an "optimist" and not in touch with reality.  The reasoning:

There's little privacy when people are unwilling or even afraid to switch their mobiles off

I don't own a mobile.

There's little privacy when people are restless and nervous if they have not checked their email box first thing in the morning.

I am not restless or nervous.  However, in my profession e-mails is how I get the bulk of my business, and timely responsiveness can make or break landing work, so I do check my e-mails frequently.  It's my job.  But even if I only enjoyed getting e-mails from friends, how is that a lack of privacy?  People only know about you what you want to tell them.  Or are you worried about hackers?

here`s no privacy where cash is replaced by cards

Electronic transactions do involve recording one's financial affairs which become accessible to some individuals.  There is some loss of privacy, but it is not true that there is *no* privacy.  Only some people have access to this information.

entertainment preferences being monitored

I listen to performances by friends, street musicians, and sometimes the radio.  I own CD's which I bought with cash.  I have bought CD's using debit cards which show only where I bought something, but not what I bought.  My television has been unplugged for years.  On the other hand, when I visit other people's homes and they turn on the t.v., how are the shows they are watching being monitored?  I'm mystified.  I see no place at all in this where my entertainment preferences are being monitored.  You may say some people have this or that going on, but you have suggested that any of us who say we are happy with our privacy are delusional.

I dislike the implication that if we do not opt in to a miserable view of life then we are wrong.  I prefer limiting my dealings with real problems.

... in many substantial ways most westerners have much more privacy than they have ever had.  Most western children have their own bedrooms.  Not too long ago, most people lived in small, crowded houses with few rooms - and few beds - and had little to no "privacy," as we understand that term to mean.

Exactly!

Maxi