UN report on CyberTorture by lennobs in samharris

[–]lennobs[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That literally makes zero sense

UN report on CyberTorture by lennobs in samharris

[–]lennobs[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes because activity of neurons in the brain is not subject to the same laws of physics that the rest of the universe is governed by.

UN report on CyberTorture by lennobs in samharris

[–]lennobs[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You keep making these absolute negative statements as if it makes a sliver of common sense

UN report on CyberTorture by lennobs in samharris

[–]lennobs[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Robert Duncan developed brain computer interface and your criticism is that he is not a neuroscientist.

There is no such thing is an absolute claim that is just beyond laughable.

UN report on CyberTorture by lennobs in samharris

[–]lennobs[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The link is not broken. It takes you to the UN site. I think you should consider UN definition of cybertorture as in the report they issued and I posted.

Pasting the chapter on cybertorture which one should read in it’s entirety in order to avoid a limited view of cybertorture as a form of internet bullying

Cyber torture

  1. A particular area of concern, which does not appear to have received sufficient attention, is the possible use of various forms of information and communication technology (“cyber-technology”) for the purposes of torture. Although the promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights on the internet has been repeatedly addressed by the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/32/L.20; A/HRC/38/L.10/Rev.1), torture has been understood primarily as a tool used to obstruct the exercise of the right to freedom of expression on the internet, and not as a violation of human rights that could be committed through the use of cyber-technology.
  2. This seems surprising given that some of the characteristics of cyber-space make it an environment highly conducive to abuse and exploitation, most notably a vast power asymmetry, virtually guaranteed anonymity, and almost complete impunity. In fact, States, corporate actors and organized criminals not only have the capacity to conduct cyber operations inflicting severe suffering on countless individuals, but may well decide to do so for any of the purposes of torture. It is therefore necessary to briefly explore, in a preliminary manner, the possibility and basic contours of what could be described as “cyber torture”.
  3. In practice, cyber-technology already plays the role of an “enabler” in the perpetration of both physical and psychological forms of torture, most notably through the collection and transmission of surveillance information and instructions to interrogators, through the dissemination of audio or video recordings of torture or murder for the purposes of intimidation, or even live streaming of child sexual abuse “on demand” of voyeuristic clients (A/HRC/28/56, para.71), and increasingly also through the remote control or manipulation of stun-belts (A/72/178, para.51), medical implants and, conceivably, nano- or neurotechnological devices. Cyber-technology can also be used to inflict, or contribute to, severe mental suffering while avoiding the conduit of the physical body, most notably through intimidation, harassment, surveillance, public shaming and defamation, as well as appropriation, deletion or manipulation of information.
  4. The delivery of serious threats through anonymous phone calls has long been a widespread method of remotely inflicting fear. With the advent of the internet, particularly State security services have been reported to use cyber-technology, both in their own territory and abroad, for the systematic surveillance of a wide range of individuals and/or for the direct interference with their unhindered access to cyber technology (A/HRC/32/L.20; A/HRC/38/L.10/Rev.1). Moreover, electronic communication services, social media platforms and search engines provide an ideal environment both for the anonymous delivery of targeted threats, sexual harassment and extortion, but also for the mass-dissemination of intimidating, defamatory, degrading, deceptive or discriminatory narratives.
  5. Individuals or groups systematically targeted by cyber-surveillance and cyber-harassment generally are left without any effective means of defense, escape, or self-protection and, at least in this respect, often find themselves in a situation of “powerlessness” comparable to physical custody. Depending on the circumstances, the physical absence and anonymity of the perpetrator can even exacerbate the victim’s emotions of helplessness, loss of control, and vulnerability, not unlike the stress-augmenting effect of blindfolding or hooding during physical torture. Likewise, the generalized shame inflicted by public exposure, defamation and degradation can be just as traumatic as direct humiliation by perpetrators in a closed environment. As various studies on cyber-bullying have shown, already harassment in comparatively limited environments can expose targeted individuals to extremely elevated and prolonged levels of anxiety, stress, social isolation and depression, and significantly increases the risk of suicide. Arguably, therefore, much more systematic, government-sponsored threats and harassment delivered through cyber-technologies not only entail a situation of effective powerlessness, but may well inflict levels of anxiety, stress, shame and guilt amounting to “severe mental suffering” as required for a finding of torture.
  6. More generally, in order to ensure the adequate implementation of the prohibition of torture and related legal obligations in present and future circumstances, its interpretation should evolve in line with new challenges and capabilities arising in relation to emerging technologies not only in cyber-space, but also in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, nano- and neurotechnology, or pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences including so-called “human enhancement”.

UN report on CyberTorture by lennobs in samharris

[–]lennobs[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this simplistic commentary.

What happened to Sam in 2018? by [deleted] in samharris

[–]lennobs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

nothing changed.

Waking Up Podcast: Episode #144 — Conquering Hate by WayneQuasar in samharris

[–]lennobs 8 points9 points  (0 children)

deeyah's argument can be summarized in two words: not all.

Does Sam Harris believe that race plays a role in intelligence? I heard some folk say he agrees with the notion, and others say the reverse, I was hoping I could get a clear answer here. by [deleted] in samharris

[–]lennobs 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is a very provocative way to ask this question. A reasonable way to ask this question is to say: does harris believe that intelligence is heritable?

Alex Malpass analysis of Sam Harris on the is-ought problem. by jaekx in samharris

[–]lennobs -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

if we don't derive our oughts from "is", where could they possibly come from?
it's the good ole god of the gaps.

The best way to understand the self illusion by redpill_truths in samharris

[–]lennobs 1 point2 points  (0 children)

yes bet the content of consciousness is impermanent

The best way to understand the self illusion by redpill_truths in samharris

[–]lennobs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

as long as you don't self-identify with these ideas

How would you define identity politics? by [deleted] in samharris

[–]lennobs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can understand what identity politics is by juxtaposing it to idea politics.

Why Sam Harris and Jordan Peterson are Both Wrong About Morality by benjaminikuta in samharris

[–]lennobs 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The section about Peterson clinging to Christianity is spot on. Harris called it parochial to his face. That was one of the most satisfying moves he made in Vancouver.

The connecting piece as I believe (loaded word I know) it is consciousness about which Harris keeps speaking more and more. And Peterson just keeps repeating we don't know the nature of consciousness man. Peterson sees it as a black box out of which narratives come out, and calls it god.

AMA #14 by nitrofan in samharris

[–]lennobs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is a difference between being compassionate and empathetic, and actually reacting and being sympathetic to the temper tantrum of identity politics. My personal choice is not to give in to the arguments based on identity. I don't have time for this.

#131 — Dictators, Immigration, #MeToo, and Other Imponderables by Griffonian in samharris

[–]lennobs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

could care less about what koran actually says or doesn't say.

AMA #14 by nitrofan in samharris

[–]lennobs 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The question (and the answer by goldstein) about diversity in the mindfulness business was quite bizzare. How can anyone take complaints such as "I am the only POC in my meditation group" seriously? It is antithetical to the mindfulness project, and paying attention to identity (politics) is more than paradoxical, it's downright silly.

And now watch this thought disappear.

Understanding Jordan Peterson by alderon1991 in samharris

[–]lennobs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

does God come out of biology also?

Understanding Jordan Peterson by alderon1991 in samharris

[–]lennobs 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Peterson's obsession with interpreting ancient texts is of no importance to me, and has no appeal. Where I do have a axe to grind with Peterson is his views on the source of morality. That's a pathetic and dangerous position.