Matthias Krämer1d ago
small snoring rock formation

Another hill I'm choosing to die on today: if you feel the need to hide your use of a tool, you shouldn't be using that tool.

If a tool has a "feature" where it can (try to) hide itself, to be undercover, that's a tool you should avoid.

Why? Because deep down, everyone involved knows the tool in question is unethical at best. Otherwise you - or the tool - wouldn't want to hide it.

A good tool is to be proud of. If you can't be proud of it, it's not a good tool.

Mar 31 at 8:52pmWeb
Show threadMatthias Krämer1d ago
@algernon That's Immanuel Kant's principle of publicity. He's more like: If people knew what you did would make your doing obsolete or destroy the thing you aimed to achieve in doing, you shouldn't do it in the first place, as far as public laws are concerned. But in principle it's the same.
Show threadPxl Phile1d ago
@algernon also ITT: Browsers to remove Po.. uh ..Privacy Mode
Show threadWolf480pl1d ago
@algernon
"If you're about to do something you will be ashamed of, don't do it."
Show threadWolf480pl23h ago

@algernon
The Rules of Engagement for the US-led coalition in the counter-insurgency mission after Iraq war was a lengthy and very formal document.

But at the end of it was that line.

And I think that line belongs in more places in life.

Show threadlars23h ago
@algernon I don't think it's that simple. What about tools like VPNs or encryption with plausible deniability for use in dictatorships?
Show threadsmall snoring rock formation23h ago

@ls I don't see the problem with either of those. The purpose of those tools is to be hidden, that's the goal. You wouldn't feel bad for using them.

You might not like having to use them, but that's not the tool's fault, that's the fault of the environment, the world we live in.

I'm not talking about tools you have to use out of necessity. But tools you choose, not because you have to, but because you can - and yet, choose to hide your use of them.

Show threadHey Gus14h ago
@algernon you’re absolutely trying to start an editor debate aren’t you!
Show threadsmall snoring rock formation14h ago

@elebertus ED IS THE STANDARD TEXT EDITOR!

There is no need for a debate, the matter has been settled since about 1973.

Show threadHey Gus7h ago
@algernon I freaking GNU it!
Show threadKirils Solovjovs12h ago
@algernon I almost fell for it. Nice one.
Show threadSylvia Wenmackers 🦉🍀11h ago
@algernon Illusionists might disagree, but at least they're upfront about the fact that they have no magic, so there is something they're hiding. (So your point stands.)