Peter Thiel - Oslo Freedom Forum 2010

In today's world, transparency can be brought about by the proliferation of new communications technologies - for example, twitter feeds, satellite internet access, mobile phones that can upload video, and encrypted data transmission. Here, Peter Thiel explains how a more transparent world will be a place where human rights are more secure. He discusses three dimensions of transparency - spatial, temporal, and moral - and shows how each dimension can help stop human rights violations. In authoritarian states, Thiel explains, there is an extraordinary spatial disconnect between the regime's projected image of power and the reality of its power. If citizens of these states were able to see some of the actual workings of their governments, fear and hysteria would be reduced, and it would be easier to confront and work against these regimes. Temporally, transparency will make state violence much more difficult to perpetrate as it is able to be seen in real time. If more citizens are able to observe human rights violations and report on them instantaneously, they will be easier to prevent and stop, and a precedent will be set for the state - it will know that its citizens are watching. The moral dimension comes into play when we consider that new technologies that are expanding transparency and helping human rights defenders can also be used by authoritarian regimes and human rights violators. Generally, Thiel says, technology has been on the side of freedom - but it can also be dangerous. Thiel urges us to make sure that human rights defenders have access to new technologies, so that our world can be more transparent, peaceful and humane.

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[idahoMW]

@matchbox555

Thiel sold Paypal to Ebay years ago.

[frashure]

It's a shame Thiel was born in Germany. Otherwise he could run for president.

[crazieeez]

Thiel is an asshole.

[matchbox555]

Thiel wants transparency ? his paypal shut off julian assange.