By Lori Weintz at Brownstone dot org.

purse seine - a large wall of netting deployed around an entire area or school of fish. The seine has floats along the top line with a lead line threaded through rings along the bottom. Once a school of fish is located, a skiff encircles the school with the net. The lead line is then pulled in, "pursing" the net closed on the bottom, preventing fish from escaping by swimming downward.

Due to the relatively short lifespan of human beings, it can be difficult to put our own life experiences in perspective with history. This is why we have the saying, "Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it." Combine a lack of historical knowledge with the fact that human nature doesn't change much, and you have a recipe for human-caused misery, repeated over and over.

In Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Cask of Amontillado," we see an example of human nature gone awry, with lethal results. From the first, the reader is privy to Montresor's disgust toward Fortunato and his desire to exact revenge for a perceived insult. As the story progresses, it should be evident to Fortunato that Montresor has ill intent, but Fortunato cannot imagine the evil, so he continues into the depths of the catacomb, willingly walking toward his own demise while being plied with wine and called "friend."

Even as Montresor is about to place the last stone that will seal Fortunato's death in chains behind the brick wall, Fortunato calls it a good joke that they will laugh about later. Montresor agrees, drops his torch into the opening, places the final brick, and piles old bones of his ancestors in front, where half a century later "no mortal has disturbed them."

There are analyses interpreting Poe's story, and its intended message, but surely one lesson is to pay attention when all the signs indicate that you are in a bad situation, even as others try to convince you of their solicitude and concern for your well-being. This is the dire situation of humanity today, in the form of the digital prison that is being formed right before our eyes under the guise of convenience, efficiency, and safety.

Casting the Net

While most of us go about our lives working, playing, taking care of ourselves and our families, and interacting with others who are equally engaged in similar life activities, the tech and surveillance industries are barreling forward with plans to change everything. The partnerships forming and strengthening among corporate, tech, academia, and government are explained and celebrated with all the right language and ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

For example, Prime Minister Keir Starmer framed his recent announcement that digital ID will soon be mandatory in order to work in the United Kingdom as a policy that will appeal to all "decent, pragmatic, fair minded people." Starmer intoned that mandatory digital ID would address the illegal migrant problem, and help the UK to "tackle poverty, conflict, climate change…" Besides, wheedled Starmer, now you won't have to search through a drawer for your latest utility bill to show proof of residence; you can just show your digital ID. So convenient.

That citizens feel no need for digital ID, and don't want it, is not of concern to the tech billionaires and their corporate, academic, and government partners, only insomuch as they have to deal with the populace's viewpoints. That is, in democratic societies, they have to at least try to appeal to the public. In tyrannies, the purveyors of advanced technology only have to convince tyrants that it will help them better surveil and control their people. Money is exchanged and tyranny is strengthened.

Those Who Have Already Been Caught in the Purse Seine

Currently in North Korea, Dictator Kim Jong Un uses the death penalty for citizens caught watching and sharing foreign films. Kang Gyuri, who escaped in 2023, told the BBC that three of her friends were executed after being caught with South Korean content. Aided by advances i...