Precisely. Ulbricht is probably guilty but there seems be unpunished crimes going on by the government as well. The claim as to how they found him seems like a cover story. Given Snowden revelations its obvious the government little concern for the law when it comes to privacy these days. If the constitution was being actually followed, those that engaged in mass surveillance would be facing a judge and jail time. Unfortunately because lawmakers are the one's authorizing it, they give themselves a get-out-jail card. If the government was serious about privacy -- it would be putting government officials that violate citizens privacy in prison. *ONLY* prison sentences (to any NSA officials and politicians that violated people's privacy without due process) will show the government is getting serious about privacy. It will make any public official think twice before violating the constitution again. Until then, we will all live in fear of what we do and say using various forms of telecommunication. The government was supposed to protect us against Orwillian threats. Not institute 1984. The people that claim its for our "protection" are not only totalitarian thugs but they are killing American I/T exports. What government of foreign corporation that wants to protect their secrets would be stupid enough to by US technology.

American government officials: It's wrong for the Chinese government to engage in mass surveillance Chinese government officials It's wrong for the American government to engage in mass surveillance. Principled people with actual ethics: It's wrong for *any* government to engage in mass surveillance.

China is right to not trust American tech products but unfortunately China also acts like big brother when it comes to privacy. Chinese citizens are heavily spied on by the Chinese government. All this spying is achieving is balkanizing the tech industry. At the moment If someone wants privacy it's a nobrainer one doesn't buy tech from countries that behave in wholesale spying i(i.e. US, China, GB, and possibly a few more).

NSA spies on everyone to "protect" us from tyrants that would spy on everyone. Makes sense. As a bonus the NSA has also done a fantastic job trimming down American tech industry jobs. Given the rampant unrepentant Orwellian spying surely every foreign government and corporation is eager to buy American technology products now.

Electromagnitism is usually considered the best understood of the four forces but the lack of real progress in room temperature superconducting suggests we have a way to go to understanding even that. It's plausible its not possible but if we really understand EM then the mathematics for its impossibility should exist.

Gathering Yahoo webcam images of random naked people isn't enough for the GCHQ and NSA. This technology will ensure they see us naked all the time.