Mastodawn

Attila Kinali Mar 21, 2025

We live in interesting times. Friend of mine is a scientist in France. He just got briefing on what to do when traveling to the US. He was told to use an empty, freshly installed laptop with nothing but his presentation on it. Uninstall all messengers and social media. If he has to surrender any of his devices even for a minute, he shall get it checked by the French secret service for back-doors and Trojans.

I guess I rather stay home than going to a conference in the US.
#science #usa

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Michael Mar 22, 2025

@attilakinali @Nickiquote Who could have ever imagined, before just a few years ago, that the U.S. would become this. I suppose the writing was on the wall for the observant, considering where capitalism has been headed for well over a decade. Scary and troubling times.

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Attila Kinali

@mykl @Nickiquote Traveling to the US was always a gamble. Will the border patrol do a cavity search? Will they detain me?

But until recently, stuff like this happening was rare. There was a 99% chance you'd just pass through after being treated very rudely and in a dehumanizing way. Apparently it has gotten to the point were insults and threats are not enough anymore and the US regularly mistreats their visitors.