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Small-Scale Question Sunday for July 19, 2026

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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That argument only works until it doesn't though. An efficient surveillance state is worse than an expensive one, and I'm wary that any argument fronting cost will merely incentivize companies to figure out how to do it cheaper. Then, even if you haven't technically ceded the privacy argument, the balance of interests on the thing you were primarily talking about has now flipped and it looks like you've lost the argument. Never lead with the point that's standing on a shaky foundation that might collapse out from under you at any moment. Even if it's not technically load-bearing, it will be publicly seen as such.