3.“Privacy”: Why it matters much more than you think

http://www.salon.com/2012/08/05/privacy_why_it_matters_much_more_than_you_think/

On August, Laura Miller wrote an article for 'The Salon' on a recently published book by Keizer titled "Privacy" regarding how privacy and its importance is forgotten nowadays. Miller first wrote about ordinary daily acts where one gives away personal information in order to get some comfort and entertaining, such as renting a movie or posting facebook updates. After pointing out the advantages of these little release of our privacy, the author impacts the reader, causing him to reflect on the subject by quoting Keizer as she says: "in attempting to hide from our neighbors, we put ourselves more at the mercy of opportunistic strangers." From this point on, Miller focuses more on Keizer's new book and gives a brief analysis of the book, mentioning the author's "regional flavor" and disposition. Furthermore, she explains a bit about the author's main idea and how he thinks the people's ignorance toward privacy is favorable to both convenience and commerce, and how it is used to "cover up abuses of power."  Miller also criticizes Keizer's theories and ideas since he is not clear on who he is going against and does not cite specific names of proponents. She also points out a huge weakness in "Privacy" as he quotes Alexandra Petri out of context while Miller realizes she was being sarcastic regarding the comment cited by Keizer. In despite of the criticism, Laura Miller says she is convinced by the book's observations and of its "nutritional thoughts," concluding by saying it is one step further in the right direction of valuing our personal privacy.


Miller's purpose in this article is to evaluate Keizer's new book "Privacy" and to share her thoughts on the issue. This becomes clear throughout the whole article where she compares the books ideas to real life examples and argues with the author. In order to do that, she briefly summarizes the book's main points and gives her opinions afterwards. After several critics, the author gives Keizer some credit by praising his theory: "(...) I’m entirely convinced by Keizer’s argument that a society that doesn’t value our personal privacy cannot plausibly claim to value our humanity."