It was only a couple weeks back when I dropped an epic privacy article on you - and it turns out now that the NSA is collecting cellular information about all Verizon customers (Don't look at me - I voted for Kodos!), and has a program called PRISM targeting social media and online applications.
I forget where I read this comment, but someone asked why it was that the public sector was the one keeping everything private while all of the private sector's secrets were known by the public sector. Touche, anonymous internet commenter - touche!
Anyway... in my article, I said I was optimistic about the balance between security and privacy - and as long as these programs don't fade into the background with a collective American shrug I'll remain optimistic. There is a better balance between security and privacy than 100% and 0%.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Links We Liked!
- From Matt Yglesias - how will the PRISM revelation affect US exports? Consider this - if it turned out that an appliance or piece of software had an ability to call home with some information - would you buy it? You know, except in Soviet Russia where TV watches you...
- Ironman at Political Calculations finds some heavy evidence for the Laffer curve in declared dividends for companies at the end of 2012 and today. A must read.
- Last year, the big technology spying story was about the Chinese network equipment provider Huawei. Huawei is closely linked with the Chinese state, which led to some fear about whether their switches and routers might call home with information. Hmm...
- Tons of stories on Dave Ramsey's declaration that 12% returns and 8% withdrawal rates are safe. First up, at The Motley Fool - where author Brian Stoffel cited yours truly to prove the 12% number bunk (that article went viral when Dave Ramsey debated Mr. Stoffel). Then our friend Jason Hull weighed in. We also liked Wade Pfau's take on the 8% withdrawal take - we haven't attempted to do a withdrawal calculator... but hey, no one asked!
We addressed Mr. Ramsey's 12% number in February, and we think that our historical S&P 500 return calculator is the best way to get a real number (5-8% nominal is safer - pick what you will!).
- Join us in imploring Bret at Hope to Prosper to post twice a week! Here's his post on Bitcoins.
- National Geographic had the dirt on a study originally published in PLoS One about where the angriest Tweeters are located. Notable for turning blue states red and vice versa!
- Free By 50 follows up my 'visual extrapolation' claims on women's chare of the workforce.
Links to Us!
