Your iconic contribution is rich! As an Ethiopian-born Eritrean-American, I thank you for exposing the foul nature of US foreign and domestic policies conducted covertly in BAD FAITH. That’s so hard to explain to the every-day American who truly loves their country. You risked all to shed transformative light upon the national and international state of affairs yet tragically, the propagandist media has done their best to sideline the narrative with more “pressing matters” - drown out the messenger. You resemble the prophet Jeremiah standing up to kingdoms fearlessly. The Truth is always stronger than any Super Power when handled by a faithful Messenger and that you are, Snowden. My Blessing to you is May His Righteous Right Hand Uphold you and humiliate all your enemies, enemies of Truth and enduring Peace. Amen
I’ve been a fan of Ai Weiwei ever since watching the documentary “Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry” years ago. Thank you for alerting me to his book, Edward, but more importantly, thank you for modeling the bravery I extolled in “Letter to a Colluder: Stop Enabling Tyranny” (https://margaretannaalice.substack.com/p/letter-to-a-colluder-stop-enabling).
We need your voice and your continued vigilance. I am grateful to be standing beside you in our joint mission to unmask totalitarianism and awaken the sleeping before tyranny triumphs.
It was in Dublin a few years back, I heard you talking on the radio. It was about your book, and the tone of your voice, what you said, stayed with me. Your book was so well written, I knew then you were an American hero.
For the moment, I, too, have lost all words.
My father once told me that it wasn’t necessary for multitudes to affect change, all it took was the actions of a few. I am awed by your humility, your intellect, your compassion.
We approach a crossroads, an uncertain future. But if free people survive, your son will know you as an avatar, not of shame, but as a man of uncommon virtue and courage.
I thank you for all these things, and foresee the day when you will be embraced by the love of all who you inspire.
"Under the pressure to conform, everyone sank into an ideological swamp of “criticism” and “self-criticism.”"
I still remember the required self-criticisms from the late 1980ies in East Germany. Then they disappeared from my view for decades ... until my employer suddenly started to ask exactly such self-criticisms from its employees. Before meeting our boss for an "appraisal", we had to fill in a form, in which we had to detail everything we did wrong in the past year and how we would do better next year. 30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, has corporate capitalism incorporated the worst lessons from (formerly) real existing socialism?
I hear you. Inspiration in these times is difficult. I focus on the small things that I used to overlook. Finding beauty in unlikely places, and the same with wisdom.
I grew up in East Germany, immigrated to America in 1997. Never expected to see the totalitarian censorship again so soon, but its in full force here in California. Yearning for a country where to feel free, but seems like that will have to be a state of mind? And even that last resort (the mind) under daily assault to be shaped into censored narrative. So grateful for your writing! 🙏
This is a really beautiful and moving piece of writing. I appreciate it so much! Every day I wish my son, now eighteen, could have come of age during a different time and maybe a different place. As people I have grown up with increasingly abandon the concept of freedom as a desirable destination for the world, I find myself longing for the mess and exuberance of my childhood, just as I see him longing for his. It was only when I got older that I realized how much my father had given up for me in his life, how hard he had worked at a brutal job, and how he did it all for his kids. It’s part of what invigorates me to fight for my son and his future. I hope this doesn’t sound melodramatic, but I would lie down and die tomorrow if I thought it would secure his future in a free world; however, those of us who are grown are instead called upon by the times to live for the fight now before us. Maybe it is the same fight parents have always had, and I’m only just realizing it. My dad worked brutal hour after brutal hour, and my mom discussed the constellations with me at night and took me to the library by day, so that I could sit here, now, at a laptop, at a desk, in a house, with memories of a free and lovely childhood. It's the least of what I wish for all children.
Brilliant, relatable and deeply relevant as always, Mr. Snowden. I’m an editor at «Schweizer Monat», Switzerland’s oldest intellectual magazine. We’re currently preparing a thorough investigation into cryptography – we are determined to prepare our readers for a future where they’ll be able to protect their privacy amidst state and corporate attacks.
We’d be deeply honoured to feature your insight. Do we have your permission to translate your recent Substack article regarding Apple’s CSAM-detection system into German?
Hey Ed. Often times I also lose my spark to write to my readers, and like you, I don't want to publish garbage and waste their time. I think you're on the right track though. Being patient, searching for answers (and questions), digging deep, and writing as soon as the heart gives a signal.
The Inspirational 'Desert' that you allude to at the beginning is something, as a writer, I regularly experience. For a while I was frustrated and angry but have mellowed over time as I realise my writing does not come from me but that I am simply a channel for whatever I am working on. With this realisation comes a great peace of mind and a bonding with whatever the source of my work is. To define that is very personal task and I leave it with you and your readers to define as what they feel 'comfortable' with. As for you work . . . God Bless you for all you do in a world gone completely mad. Kindest.
The complexity of our times tends to shorten distances between locations, shorten times of travel, but delay human response to analysis by their synthesis... Take your time, dear Edward, because the wait is worth its delay, well compensated by food for thought. Your digestion of the works and thoughts of Ai Wei-Wei is welcome and well needed in the mobilisation against the challenges to freedom we all face. Ai's, as well as yours, sake are also ours, those of the connected people of today's world. Keep searching, analyzing, synthesizing--->connecting--->writing.
Cultural Revolutions
Once again you've left us
speechless. Thanks beautiful writing... I'd like to say my remedy is kitten videos and dogey memes if human minds where so simple.
Your iconic contribution is rich! As an Ethiopian-born Eritrean-American, I thank you for exposing the foul nature of US foreign and domestic policies conducted covertly in BAD FAITH. That’s so hard to explain to the every-day American who truly loves their country. You risked all to shed transformative light upon the national and international state of affairs yet tragically, the propagandist media has done their best to sideline the narrative with more “pressing matters” - drown out the messenger. You resemble the prophet Jeremiah standing up to kingdoms fearlessly. The Truth is always stronger than any Super Power when handled by a faithful Messenger and that you are, Snowden. My Blessing to you is May His Righteous Right Hand Uphold you and humiliate all your enemies, enemies of Truth and enduring Peace. Amen
I’ve been a fan of Ai Weiwei ever since watching the documentary “Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry” years ago. Thank you for alerting me to his book, Edward, but more importantly, thank you for modeling the bravery I extolled in “Letter to a Colluder: Stop Enabling Tyranny” (https://margaretannaalice.substack.com/p/letter-to-a-colluder-stop-enabling).
We need your voice and your continued vigilance. I am grateful to be standing beside you in our joint mission to unmask totalitarianism and awaken the sleeping before tyranny triumphs.
It was in Dublin a few years back, I heard you talking on the radio. It was about your book, and the tone of your voice, what you said, stayed with me. Your book was so well written, I knew then you were an American hero.
For the moment, I, too, have lost all words.
My father once told me that it wasn’t necessary for multitudes to affect change, all it took was the actions of a few. I am awed by your humility, your intellect, your compassion.
We approach a crossroads, an uncertain future. But if free people survive, your son will know you as an avatar, not of shame, but as a man of uncommon virtue and courage.
I thank you for all these things, and foresee the day when you will be embraced by the love of all who you inspire.
Craig A. Snider
Allen Cove
"Under the pressure to conform, everyone sank into an ideological swamp of “criticism” and “self-criticism.”"
I still remember the required self-criticisms from the late 1980ies in East Germany. Then they disappeared from my view for decades ... until my employer suddenly started to ask exactly such self-criticisms from its employees. Before meeting our boss for an "appraisal", we had to fill in a form, in which we had to detail everything we did wrong in the past year and how we would do better next year. 30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, has corporate capitalism incorporated the worst lessons from (formerly) real existing socialism?
I hear you. Inspiration in these times is difficult. I focus on the small things that I used to overlook. Finding beauty in unlikely places, and the same with wisdom.
Thank you Ed, as always
I grew up in East Germany, immigrated to America in 1997. Never expected to see the totalitarian censorship again so soon, but its in full force here in California. Yearning for a country where to feel free, but seems like that will have to be a state of mind? And even that last resort (the mind) under daily assault to be shaped into censored narrative. So grateful for your writing! 🙏
This is a really beautiful and moving piece of writing. I appreciate it so much! Every day I wish my son, now eighteen, could have come of age during a different time and maybe a different place. As people I have grown up with increasingly abandon the concept of freedom as a desirable destination for the world, I find myself longing for the mess and exuberance of my childhood, just as I see him longing for his. It was only when I got older that I realized how much my father had given up for me in his life, how hard he had worked at a brutal job, and how he did it all for his kids. It’s part of what invigorates me to fight for my son and his future. I hope this doesn’t sound melodramatic, but I would lie down and die tomorrow if I thought it would secure his future in a free world; however, those of us who are grown are instead called upon by the times to live for the fight now before us. Maybe it is the same fight parents have always had, and I’m only just realizing it. My dad worked brutal hour after brutal hour, and my mom discussed the constellations with me at night and took me to the library by day, so that I could sit here, now, at a laptop, at a desk, in a house, with memories of a free and lovely childhood. It's the least of what I wish for all children.
Brilliant, relatable and deeply relevant as always, Mr. Snowden. I’m an editor at «Schweizer Monat», Switzerland’s oldest intellectual magazine. We’re currently preparing a thorough investigation into cryptography – we are determined to prepare our readers for a future where they’ll be able to protect their privacy amidst state and corporate attacks.
We’d be deeply honoured to feature your insight. Do we have your permission to translate your recent Substack article regarding Apple’s CSAM-detection system into German?
Best wishes from Zurich,
Jannik
Hey Ed. Often times I also lose my spark to write to my readers, and like you, I don't want to publish garbage and waste their time. I think you're on the right track though. Being patient, searching for answers (and questions), digging deep, and writing as soon as the heart gives a signal.
The Inspirational 'Desert' that you allude to at the beginning is something, as a writer, I regularly experience. For a while I was frustrated and angry but have mellowed over time as I realise my writing does not come from me but that I am simply a channel for whatever I am working on. With this realisation comes a great peace of mind and a bonding with whatever the source of my work is. To define that is very personal task and I leave it with you and your readers to define as what they feel 'comfortable' with. As for you work . . . God Bless you for all you do in a world gone completely mad. Kindest.
Amazing piece.
It is universal -- everywhere the same if unlimited power to a few. This just in -- fromUK this time:
The cynicism stalking Britain is all too familiar -- Nesrine Malik - The Guardian - 08 November 2021
I have lived under corrupt regimes – the cynicism stalking Britain is all too familiar | Nesrine Malik | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/nov/08/corrupt-regimes-cynicism-britain-voters-political-class
The complexity of our times tends to shorten distances between locations, shorten times of travel, but delay human response to analysis by their synthesis... Take your time, dear Edward, because the wait is worth its delay, well compensated by food for thought. Your digestion of the works and thoughts of Ai Wei-Wei is welcome and well needed in the mobilisation against the challenges to freedom we all face. Ai's, as well as yours, sake are also ours, those of the connected people of today's world. Keep searching, analyzing, synthesizing--->connecting--->writing.
I haven't been home in years.