Last class we discussed the military industrial complex and how the telecommunications and computing world was derived from the late 19th and 20th centuries–specifically, the events of WWII and the Cold war. The point that having more individuality makes you less free was brought up. While this might be true, considering how the government keeps records, these are often things we have socially constructed. The idea of the social security number was created for this purpose itself, it doesn’t address the ways in which one’s personality or expression can be unique. I also believe that the creation of intelligence and surveillance agencies in the US are direct responses to the industrialization era ideas of radicalization. I do not, however, believe they are inherently anti-American. I think liberty is reliant on security, and though many US policies are increasingly overbearing, the institutions themselves are not to blame.