When someone’s private thoughts get hacked, who should be apologizing?
You know, I always tell my kids…wait a minute, I don’t have kids. But if I did have them I’d make them watch The Godfather often. Not the movie just the DVD sleeve. I’d make them stare at that photo for at least an hour a week. In the photo you see the hand of the Puppet Master pulling on the strings of the puppet. I’d tell them don’t you ever let fear or anyone using it manipulate you into doing the things you don’t want to do, or prevent you from doing the things you want to.
Last week Hollywood gave into fears and decided not to release a comedy called “The Interview” because some computer hackers, possibly backed by North Korea according the U.S. Government, were offended by the movie and threatened to retaliate. They focused mainly on Sony, the company that produced the movie, by hacking into their email system and making a lot of the private emails between Sony executives public. These emails were embarrassing for the execs because they said unflattering things about Hollywood actors and directors, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Kevin Hart, and Angelina Jolie. I say, so what!
Every time I turn on the TV…wait I don’t watch TV (why does this keep happening to me?)…um, every time I read the news there’s always someone apologizing because some private message, conversation or act was stolen and made public. “What I said was immature, it doesn’t reflect my values, I am extremely sorry and I apologize to blah, blah and blah!” And the whole time I’m thinking, screw that! We have a right to our private thoughts, we have a right to private conversations and we have a right to take a private photo of ourselves naked if we wish. I’m lookin’ at you Jennifer Lawrence, and unfortunately so are people who weren’t authorized to.
Listen, I get it if someone involved in an illegal act or found hurting the ones they have sworn to protect are dealt with accordingly. But I don’t want anyone inside my head. You would all be offended. And we all need someone we can confide in to share a thought. These are the things that help us from going crazy. The persons receiving these apologies have private thoughts as well, which include things that would embarrass them if it went public. Hypocrisy central. We should not feed these fears or be manipulated into pretending to be non-human.
I believe that people who have their privacies violated and their personal information and thoughts stolen and made public should not have to apologize as if they did something wrong. Women in particular are victims of double standards and all forms of #sexualviolence including unauthorized sharing of their private moments, catcalling, harassment and rape. No victim should have to apologize for being violated or publically paraded and judged by finger pointing hypocrites.
Detractors say if you don’t want to be blamed, then don’t take any private photos or videos or write anything in an email you don’t want your mother to read. Yet even criminals are not prosecuted if it’s found the method used to obtain any incriminating evidence was illegal. Apparently even their privacy matters. Shouldn’t yours?
Photo: Ethan R./Flickr
Should Donald Sterling’s? Should an Uber executive making comments off the record (private)? It’s easy to cherry pick victims and say this is wrong. What about the people you might not like? That’s the test. Would it be OK if the person sent the pic initially shared it? If so how far down the chain does that go? Is the third or fourth person down the line wrong or is it OK because they were given it? If we can’t share consensually given pictures, can we share consensually given private thoughts (conversations)? Does it make a difference if it’s not… Read more »
John, thanks for your comments. I’m of the opinion, as I mentioned in the article, that when you are hurting / jeopardizing what you have promised to protect, I understand why that becomes fair game in an investigation. Teachers, coaches, molesting minors for example, where a crime is being committed. I see Donald Sterling’s case in pretty much the same with the NBA saw it, racist and exploitive. I’m not saying that these individuals don’t have a right to privacy. I am saying I do get the fallout when their deeds become public. I think if my girlfriend took some… Read more »
I don’t really have a different opinion. I guess to some level I was hoping you’d give me a different opinion. I’ve always preferred a consistent approach to morality, but find myself moving back and forth based on variables like who did it, what was the embarrassment. I find myself not liking Donald Sterling so then thinking that his recorded conversations are OK. On the other hand I’m not OK with non-consensual pics being shared on the internet even of fully clothed people (ie creepshots, those sleeping guys or guys taking up “too much” space on a bus, etc.). I… Read more »
Sure John, I’m sure we’re all affected by bias to some degree. However I think if we start with the rule, instead of the person, we have a better chance of being impartial. When we make exceptions to that rule, we have to ask ourselves if this applies evenly. As I mentioned, I actually do not agree that Donald Sterling’s privacy should have been violated. This is despite the fact that I find what was found despicable. I didn’t always understand why it is important to be impartial, but it is and without it you have nothing. Observing my own… Read more »
Time has proven that nothing on the internet is private. Absolutely nothing. It’s all just waiting to be revealed.
And private thoughts? There are droves of people who would love to put other people in jail for what they’re thinking. You know who you are.