The Austrian governement is planning to implement the data retention guideline of the EU. Now that I spend more time in Austria again, this is something I started acting against. The question why I do it never really crossed my mind. Talking to other people it came up several times though. This is the experiment of an explanation.

Technology has given us unprecedented possibilities of individual self expression. It has given us possibilities to bypass conventional market logic in production of virtual goods. This means of production are now at the verge of expanding into physical goods. Our way of working has never before been so efficient (although we still waste a lot of time and ressources). Together this grants individuals (in the western world) tremendous degrees of freedom. While this is greeted euphorically by the generation growing up with todays technology, it is perceived as an enormous risk by those who grew up before.

Politicians across Europe suddenly started babbling about terror scenarios and of how the internet needs to be controlled. The "clash of cultures" was suddenly scribbled across the political agenda. Suggesting a risk coming from migrants and those opposed to economic imperialism. This is taken to justify larger and larger amounts of surveillance and control. The true clash of cultures though happens between the digital generations and the pre-digital ones. The latter are the ones now sitting in governements across the World. For them incerasing personal freedom is a risk.

The main tool of the pre-digital generations to push their agenda of reducing freedom is fear. Fear of abstract dangers like terrorism or violent crimes. Although rates of violence is in decline and the risk of dieing in a terrorist attack are tiny, they are taken as arguments for general surveillance. What is commonly neglected is the fact that surveillance changes the behavior of the people subjected to it. It is a tool of oppression.

While in Boston, I regulary met with local anarchists. This group of people was a perfect example of what continued oppression does to people. I've never experienced this kind of self-censorship. Radical thoughts were never discussed simply because everyone was afraid of the other. This is a development that is slowly taking over in Europe as well. Looking at recent actions of the Austrian state versus political activists, combined with the governement pushing for more surveillance measures, we are going to be there soon.

This is a development I don't want to be part of. Freedom of expression is a fundamental right. Dissent has always opened new perspectives. I don't want to live in a world where every little step is observed. I don't want to live in a world where expressing my views can put me in jail. And I don't want to live in a world where I'm afraid to call someone just because of her or his opinions. If you don't want to live there either, stand up, let us fight the wave of oppression together.