Haven't we had enough of these articles already? They're not about startups or technology, really, and I think we've all formed our opinions at this point. Posting them here won't change a thing, in any case.
"Posting them here won't change a thing, in any case."
I strongly disagree, David. Keeping this issue in front of smart people (many of whom travel extensively) is probably one of the best ways to initiate change.
But the fraction of the traveling public that reads HN has to be minute. Seriously, what would you estimate the increase is in the probability of significant improvements to TSA policy, by virtue of this article being posted vs if it had been rejected as off topic? Even one millionth of a percent increase in probability seems high to me. People like to vent and posture, but in the moment of choice they'll almost always choose the most convenient alternative. Very few will file formal complaints, even among readers here. And as others have pointed out, the incentives for the TSA almost force them to be over cautious, so that they can survive if something bad happens.
Something has to be done. This has continued to get worse at least every year. We can't sit back and justify why we don't need to do anything.
This thing even has serious health issues associated with it. You know Doctors stand behind lead shielding when they give X-rays, right? And I bet most doctors give less than 40 X-rays a day, but this thing has at least 40 times the radiation of an X-ray. Is dying of cancer convenient enough for you?
In the US, politicians and the judiciary change laws. Those people do not read HN, and don't give a shit if a bunch of nerds who represent approximately .00001% of the electorate get their britches in a bunch over something or other. Posting political things here makes people feel good, but doesn't do one damn thing in the real world. To do that, you need to get out and engage with the political system. Clicking little arrows is, to put it bluntly, just wanking around.
And in any case, do you really want to go down the road where this site is utilized for the cause du jour? Want to see taser articles here?
"Posting political things here makes people feel good, but doesn't do one damn thing in the real world."
Again, I have to disagree with you on this. HN is where I found at about this issue to begin with, and I have already: 1. donated to EPIC's http://www.stopdigitalstripsearches.org/ , 2. begun changing travel plans, 3. informed a number of friends and colleagues (non-HN users) who have in turned passed it on to others. Clearly, there are "real world" effects.
