It's important that we elevate and primarily focus on the rights of American citizens, but it's also important that we don't forget, 95 percent of the world's population lives beyond our own borders.
Edward SnowdenRead
I don't see myself as a hero because what I'm doing is self-interested: I don't want to live in a world where there's no privacy and therefore no room for intellectual exploration and creativity.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Snowden emphasizes the importance of privacy for intellectual freedom and creativity.
In this quote, Edward Snowden reflects on his actions and motivations, stating that he does not see himself as a hero. Instead, he highlights his self-interest in advocating for privacy, as he believes that a lack of privacy stifles intellectual exploration and creativity, which are essential for a flourishing society. His perspective invites a discussion on the balance between security and individual freedoms in a modern world.
Themes
PrivacyIntellectualCreativityFreedomSelf-Interest
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of civil liberties, one could use this quote to emphasize the value of privacy.
More from Edward Snowden
All quotes →I think the most important idea is to remember that there have been times throughout American history where what is right is not the same as what is legal.
Edward SnowdenRead
Congress hasn't declared war on the countries - the majority of them are our allies - but without asking for public permission, NSA is running network operations against them that affect millions of innocent people. And for what? So we can have secret access to a computer in a country we're not even fighting?
Edward SnowdenRead
A child born today will grow up with no conception of privacy at all.
Edward SnowdenRead
Being called a traitor by Dick Cheney is the highest honor you can give an American, and the more panicked talk we hear from people like him... the better off we all are.
Edward SnowdenRead
I care more about the country than what happens to me. But we can't allow the law to become a political weapon or agree to scare people away from standing up for their rights, no matter how good the deal. I'm not going to be part of that.
Edward SnowdenRead
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