Surveillance has relevance to core CCC/hacking topics (privacy is a central topic against which hackers fight), so I can understand why the organisers decided to include this talk in the schedule: they considered it to be a good idea that the audience should also get a "non-computer perspective" on a topic that is highly relevant to hackers.
But I agree that for the decision to include or not include this specific talk, the organisers have to apply an exceptionally good judgement: if they make a "wrong" decision here, people will immediately (rightfully) complain that the talks are too political (or if they "wronged" by non-inclusion of this talk, the other side will complain that important topics are omitted).
> The linked surveillance talk has nearly 0 references to computers and is all about media/reporting
(link to the talk: https://media.ccc.de/v/34c3-8969-die_sprache_der_uberwacher )
Surveillance has relevance to core CCC/hacking topics (privacy is a central topic against which hackers fight), so I can understand why the organisers decided to include this talk in the schedule: they considered it to be a good idea that the audience should also get a "non-computer perspective" on a topic that is highly relevant to hackers.
But I agree that for the decision to include or not include this specific talk, the organisers have to apply an exceptionally good judgement: if they make a "wrong" decision here, people will immediately (rightfully) complain that the talks are too political (or if they "wronged" by non-inclusion of this talk, the other side will complain that important topics are omitted).
> Surveillance has relevance to core CCC/hacking topics (privacy is a central topic against which hackers fight)
Great, who exactly is making those rules for all hackers?
People have complained about this for atleast the last 15 years where I have been active, to political, not political enough.
Stop complaining, start creating.
> Great, who exactly is making those rules for all hackers?
For example the Hacker Ethic by Steven Levy is very well-accepted:
https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hacker_ethic&oldi...
> Stop complaining, start creating.
Who says that I don't do?