self-censorship

In this chapter, Fred is briefed on the installation and operation of holo-scanners in Bob Arctor's house and the surrounding neighborhood, revealing the extent of surveillance and the complexities of his dual identity as both informant and suspect. He grapples with the ethical and practical challenges of editing surveillance footage to protect himself while maintaining his cover. The chapter ends with Fred undergoing a series of tests related to Substance D addiction, highlighting the psychological and physiological toll of undercover drug work.

This chapter presents a recorded conversation from June 23, 2011, at Ellingham Hall between Julian Assange and key figures from Google and related institutions. Assange outlines the philosophical and technical foundations of WikiLeaks, emphasizing the importance of information flow to promote justice and the challenges posed by censorship and self-censorship. He explains WikiLeaks' focus on anonymity and technical resilience as their primary defense against governmental and legal repression, situating their work within a broader framework of information distribution and societal change.

In Chapter 3 of "Hackers & Painters," Paul Graham explores the concept of moral fashions—ideas and opinions that are socially taboo or dangerous to express at a given time, despite potentially being true. He argues that just as fashion changes invisibly over time, so do moral beliefs, and that many accepted ideas today may be viewed as ridiculous or mistaken by future generations. Graham proposes methods to identify these unspoken truths, such as examining what ideas get people in trouble, analyzing labels used to suppress dissent, and comparing contemporary taboos with past and cross-cultural norms.

Paul Graham's chapter 'What You Can't Say' explores the concept of moral fashions—ideas and opinions that are taboo or forbidden to express in any given era despite their potential truth. He argues that just as fashion is invisible and arbitrary, so are moral constraints, which often suppress dissenting or heretical ideas that could be true. The chapter proposes methods to identify these forbidden truths by examining historical taboos, cultural differences, and the labels used to silence controversial opinions.