TED Conversations

Matthew Trost
Brooklyn, NY
United States

TEDCRED 100+

TED Staff TED Attendee

This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »

Why is privacy important?

Is privacy a basic human need, or a recent luxury?

Topics: privacy

Closing Statement from Matthew Trost

A short conversation, but many interesting and thought-provoking responses! Thank you, all!

Sort By:

Jimmy Strobl 30+
- +1
TED Translator

Jul 6 2011: Well, I read an article in a magazine that had a big number on privacy and the title was "Privacy 2.0" there seem to be some books on it but I can't find the sources...
Anyway, the basic concept was that we have to let go of our illusion of privacy, since nearly everything we do is monitored in one way or another and reclaim the control of the monitoring.
Instead of letting "big brother" have all the info, everyone checks everything about everyone making society totally transparent...
I wish I had the reference because it was a long time ago that I read it...
Farrukh Yakubov 50+
- 0
TED Translator Associate

Jul 6 2011: It's a human need, and it's what lets us to be ourselves.
Jimmy Strobl 30+
- 0
TED Translator

Jul 6 2011: Hi Matthew,

Would you care to extend the time limit on the conversation.
I think it's an interesting one that should be kept open for more then a day...
Chris Aldon 20+
- 0
Jul 6 2011: Privacy is a basic human need.

I hesitated to say it is a basic need in society, but if you aren't amongst people I suppose you've got privacy.
Stephen Lewis
- 0
Jul 6 2011: Privacy is only important when you are hiding something and truly, we all have something to hide. Let him that hath not sinned cast the first stone and all that.
Tim blackburn 30+
- 0
Jul 5 2011: i do not think its is a basic human need, but i would say due to social conditioning it is a pretty common need. i can think of several people who could NOT handle 0 privacy.
Will True 200+
- 0
TED Staff Host TED Attendee Associate

Jul 5 2011: I think it's more of a cultural creation -- for instance, until recently, there was no word in Russian for 'Privacy'.
- Comment deleted
  - Will True 200+
    
    +2
    TED Staff Host TED Attendee Associate
    
    Jul 6 2011: Email notification worked!! It was something my brother told me when he was studying Russian, I wouldn't be surprised if he made it up entirely :)
    - Jimmy Strobl 30+
      
      0
      
      TED Translator
      
      Jul 6 2011: Email notification does work!!! If you only knew how happy this makes me Will!

Showing all 11 comments

Sign In

To join or start a conversation, you'll need to sign in. Not a member? Register Now (it's free and fast).

Live Conversations

Live Conversations are hosted by TED speakers and TED Fellows. Ask your questions and participate in the discussions on the following dates and times: