Comment by lotsofpulp

3 hours ago

In my case, it is the fact that a secure and free (as in speech) alternative does not exist that leads me to believe that. And not in the sense that it’s theoretically secure, I mean in the practical sense that I cannot trust my parents to use any currently available “free” device and not immediately load it up with malware.

> In my case, it is the fact that a secure and free (as in speech) alternative does not exist that leads me to believe that.

I don't think that is a logical statement. Just something doesn't exist, does not prove that it can't exist. You need a stronger proof than that to show that in my opinion. At some point, you have to empower your users and trust them to do the right thing.

  • >I don't think that is a logical statement. Just something doesn't exist, does not prove that it can't exist.

    Let me expand the claim to include the caveats:

    >The fact so many technical people believe that security and freedom are mutually exclusive [under current technological/financial/political constraints]

    >At some point, you have to empower your users and trust them to do the right thing.

    All I know is, my and my parents’ quality of life is far better after switching them to devices where they are not empowered.

  • You need to have a stronger argument than "it has never existed and doesn't exist now, but it MIGHT exist IN THEORY". That's an enormously weak argument. Borderline dishonest really.