1: Highly sophisticated analysis of a difficult problem
This is not the typical "the sky is falling" expose of the death of privacy in America. Although Rule is an advocate of strong privacy protections, he devotes considerable thought and attention to why such protections are desirable and to why we should even care that truthful information about us is being disseminated, as long as efficiency and security are increased.
Rule buttresses his analysis with a fascinating contrast between the Kantian imperatives (which argue for protection of privacy as a basic human right) and the pragmatism associated with thinkers like Auguste Comte (which argues for societal efficiency and the constant use of balancing tests). This is an extraordinarily accomplished aspect of the book, as is his in-depth history of the growth of the credit-reporting industry in America. Rule shows that this industry blossomed long before the computer did. Rule does not blame technology for the decline in privacy.
This book is more a philosophical, sociological, and economic inquiry than a call for immediate action. It is, however, quite powerful.
I would have given five stars were it not for several passages discussing the history of privacy laws in France, Australia, and other nations. It seemed as if Rule was merely displaying his erudition rather than adding much to his argument.
|
