> For more than a decade, after "growing up" in what was essentially the computer underground, I've been grappling with discomfort about the way technology blunts and abstracts consequences.
Me too. I often wonder how much worse the results of a modern-day Milgram experiment might be.
This is one of those things that keeps me up at night. I've instructed my wife and children that if police ever come banging on the door, get on the floor, face away from any entry points, call 911 immediately and negotiate compliance over the phone.
One of the few things left in a modern American home that can stop bullets from modern firearms is a bookshelf full of books. There are a number of experts who advocate creating cover from gunfire coming from particular directions and making sheltering and escape plans.
>call 911 immediately and negotiate compliance over the phone
I'm with you until that part. For one thing, many SWATings result in no-knock entries - even if you're prostate and facing away, holding and manipulating a phone, and/or continuing to talk through a phone instead of responding to the verbal commands of the assault officers are both Bad Ideas imo.
Not all of them do breach and entry as the first course of action. Depending on what's been reported they may knock, they may stand out in the street and yell at you over a bullhorn, or they may try to breach the door. A lot of factors go into considering which course of action they take. The idea is to establish contact and negotiate a course of action before they try storming the house with itchy trigger fingers.
In any case, my advice does not preclude obeying orders if an officer is pointing an MP5 at you and telling you to put your hands on your head-- it's too late then, so just comply and hope for the best.
Me too. I often wonder how much worse the results of a modern-day Milgram experiment might be.
This is one of those things that keeps me up at night. I've instructed my wife and children that if police ever come banging on the door, get on the floor, face away from any entry points, call 911 immediately and negotiate compliance over the phone.