p2p opinion / p2pnet: It’s now "turn the tables" time for common people. It seems governments and mega corporations will not be satisfied until each of us is stamped, taxed, tagged, monitored, and marketed into oblivion. When it comes to the emergence of new technology, "We the People" should keep one thing in mind —- the governments and mega-corporations are interested in one thing and one thing only: squeezing as much money, work, capital or other production out of us that they can.

I cringe whenever I hear the term tax break, tax reduction or other announcement put out to make people think their taxes are going to be lower. Yes, I may be paying slightly less in income taxes when the Bush regime took power. But I am paying much more in local taxes due to the fact that the federal government is paying less and less to states and local governments when it comes to mandated programs.

Governments (including inspectors, police departments) and corporations have made it a science in spying on us and manipulating us into thinking it is for our own good. However, a government program called ARPANET has backfired.

ARPANET was designed to allow military and universities to better share information with each other (advance government agenda). The result of this government program has been an unprecedented increase in computer networking, computer technology, and of course, file sharing .

The vast and quick availability of information on the Internet and similar networks is now leading to the near overthrow of the media cartel’s monopoly on the hearts and minds of the people. Never since the invention of Gutenberg’s printing press has information spread beyond the control of those in power.

The governments and cartels are now running scared. With the blessings of lawmakers, the mega corporations who control and "own" the taxpayer provided Internet infrastucture now want the privilege of regulating, filtering, and spying upon the information travelling over their wires, fibre, and microwaves. The companies have been, and still are, getting their wish. Just when broadband Internet comes to my area, it will be next to useless because I will not be able to do the things I want with it. Even regular dialup Internet may very well be taxed and surcharged by the local telcos.

In their quest to control what is being said about them and the fact that other voices and alternative views can be heard, the cartels and governments WILL SUCCEED in locking down the Internet. Our voice in this matter does not count because in most cases, it is contrary to what those with the money and power want. However, the "cat is out of the bag" so to speak. While the media cartels may restrict what flows over the infrastructure THEY control, they will be near powerless to do the same over the infrastructure we own.

On the free way with FreeWan

People have a way of thinking outside of the limits intended on their thoughts. That Linksys router and the old Pentium computer sitting in the attic will make a nice miniature Internet called a FreeWan cell.

That old computer and router can be used to set up a super-fast file sharing network beyond the control of the local kommissars. People driving within range of the miniature Internet can upload their favorite videos, music, and articles to other people connected to this mini Internet.

Each of these FreeWan Cells can be connected to other FreeWan cells forming even larger networks. Work is now bing done by hackers to use cheap laser pointers as a way of created extended datalinks over large distances creating even larger networks. The Free net is forming.

Information can be spread other ways as well. Cheap writable DVD’s, CD-ROMs, and even jump drives can be snail-mailed or sent via courier. These things can hold enormous amounts of information in only a little bit of space. No longer are we forced to consume the crap produced by those who have the big advertising budgets. No longer are we force-fed commercials that influence our behaviour to fill the pockets of cartel owners. Despite the technology the government and cartels want to use to influence our behaviour and limit our choices, we will end up winning.

The same technology that the governments and cartels want to use against us can be used against them. Here are a just a few examples and maybe even a suggestion or two:

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Tags)

These tags are being used to tag people so that they can be force-fed even more advertisements so that they can be separated from their money and so that stores can get rid of a few more employees so that profits are even greater.

Even more insidious, these things can be used to spy and track individuals who have not had the forsight to remove these tags. However, we can use these same things to our benefit. Imagine adding a RFID reader to a FreeWan Network.

Now, imagine covertly planting a couple of Levis RFID chips on a police cars and/or meter maids. When either of these come within range of a FreeWan cell, a computer in that cell can now broadcast a warning to every computer that there is a presence of "law" enforcement. Speeders in the area will be warned of speed traps and those who are using metered parking space might be reminded to put more coins in before the meter maid has a chance to rob them.

High Tech Strip Searches:

Governments spend tens of thousand of dollars in many airports in order to install machines that see through clothing. Governments use the term "Homeland Security" to justify these warrant-less searches.

Well, turnabout is fair play.

Many old (and some new) digital cameras and camcorders can easily be turned into similar devices. Simply removing the infrared filter on these devices can now give the average person the same eyeful that government officials have. Imagine posting a photo of the politician or corporate executive who has no clothes. It it just like a government to spend $50,000 on X-ray and weapons detection systems only to be foiled by someone bringing in contraband through an unguarded exit.

Anti-"Piracy" signals:

These types of signals are used to tell electronic and computer devices to not record or display in certain formats any content that has these signals embedded. Most current forms of these signals can now be easily circumvented. The cartels now want the government to mandate the inclusion of circuits that will stop the functioning of devices when these signals are detected. The cartels want this type of circuitry installed in just about every type of camera, audio, or recording device. When this happens, it might not be a bad thing for criminals dissidents, or privacy advocates, because all they have to do is transmit the proper signal and turn off every camera or device that records their actions. Imagine being able to miss a traffic signal and not worry about having been photographed by some machine and being forced to pay some exorbitant fine. The broadcast flag everyone is bitching about may become a good privacy tool.

Lasers:

These devices were made and used for many different reasons. Now, relatively powerful lasers can be had for relatively few bucks. Some of these lasers can be made into dangerous weapons. The lasers found in some Rewritable CD and DVD rom drives as well as those found in some Laser printers have enough power to permanently damage eye tissue or the components of video cameras.

Other not so powerful lasers can blind any video camera at which they are aimed. Devices are now being researched that use infrared and lasers to detect and blind hidden cameras. This type of technology is a gift from the likes of the MPAA that we may be able to hack to protect our privacy.

Databases and personal data:

Governments and cartels have been using certain types of data for years in order to curtail or restrict the freedom and actions of many individuals. By polluting these databases with false information or by using ID theft, one can easily get around the restrictions imposed by governments and cartels.

In fact, I know of one company where an error was made on the Social "Security" Number that was reported to the government when that person was hired. That person worked for over two years at the company and nothing was said until the employee himself noticed the error on his W2 tax form.

If one wants to buy a house for a much lower price or wants to punish a rich executive, (or even reduce their own property tax rates), the local friendly sex offender database can be used. If a house you want is for sale, check the sex offender database for any friendly sex offender. If there’s one present, then bring it to the attention of the real estate agent or property appraiser. I sure that area properties will be appropriately devalued. If you are a (an innocent) person on the sex offender registry and dislike your

status, keep moving around and make sure you keep public officials busy with entering and updating your personal information. Hell, you might even try to get paid getting discounts for home buyers by simply moving into the neighborhood.

Computers:

Computers are the driving force behind today’s technology. Information technology is used by governments and corporations to track, tax, price, and manipulate just about all of us. Computers are also used by malcontents to wreak havoc on certain corporate and government infrastructure. We only

hear about 10% of what actually goes on when computers become soldiers and attack government and corporate targets.

Whatever the technology that is used to manipulate our votes, cause us to buy unneeded crap, or used to fine or tax us can be used against the corporate and government policymakers. While the government and corporate policy makers use our money to do research and development and mandate new policies, we have even a greater tool. We have our imagination.

William Keeley

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 3rd, 2006 at 6:52 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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