From: <jt2184@columbia.edu>
  To  : <cpc@emoglen.law.columbia.edu>
  Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2005 12:25:40 -0500

Re: interaction of new technologies and privacy

Violations of privacy may have some good effects... An example:

An old Arab who has lived close to New York City for more than 40
years would love to plant potatoes in his garden, but he is alone,
old and weak.

His son is in college in Paris, so the old man sends him an e-mail:
"Beloved son, I am very sad, because I can't plant potatoes in my
garden. I am sure, if only you were here, you would help me and dig
up the garden for me. I love you, your father."

The following day, the old man receives a response by e-mail from
his son: "Beloved father, please don't touch the garden. It's there
that I have hidden 'the THING'. I love you, too, Ahmad."
At 4 p.m. the U.S. Army, the Marines, the F.B.I., the C.I.A. and the
Rangers visit the old man's house, take the whole garden apart,
search every inch, but can't find anything.

Disappointed, they leave.

    A day later, the old man receives another e-mail from his son.
"Beloved father, I hope the garden is dug up by now and you can
plant your potatoes. That's all I could do for you from here. I
love you, Ahmad."

Javier


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