As for being up for a bit of a laugh, some things are funny, some are not. It depends on the context. laughing with someone is one thing, laughing at someone who, as you noted, seems to be acting defensive, would only seem useful for putting one even more on the defensive. No?

Where did I say you had any issues with Google’s stance on and implementation on privacy? That was a two part question, A or B.

Either A, you agree with the article author and Google has some explaining to do or you disagree with the article author or actually there is a C, you only wanted to point out the obvious, that people placed in a defensive position from the very beginning by the topic, act defensive.

I wonder though if you are related to the author of the article as it seems you also seem slightly more inclined to want your own questions answered than you are to answer those of others.

Here is that “insult” word again and I still don’t understand where it is coming from. A mature contribution to the discussion would seem more likely to be on topic and focussed on the issues raised by the article itself or, points raised in comments. Off topic comments whose purpose seem to make fun at someone else’s expense would not seem like as much of a mature contribution to the discussion.

- Joining the conversation made a quick remark on how defensive you were being [which taking by your new comments you are very much so being.]

Next Comment by me:
Bock the Robber, thats exactly what they are like! The scientology people! SUPER defensive.

- Commenting on Bock the Robbers comment, again just stating how you are defensive, like the scientology videos. Youtube Scientology and you’ll understand what I mean

Last comment by me:
Joanne; Awh, Did I anger you Google guys? Ok I’m sorry, just please don’t delete my Gmail.

- Having a laugh, trying to get a bit of fun into it.

However, you decide to splash out with three trick questions, which I find humorous, thanks for the tip on how it was a trick question by the way, I’m far to “immature” to realise that. Isn’t Google’s tagline “Don’t be evil?” surely that means your up for abit of a laugh. Of course maybe being so “mature” its sucked the fun out of you? I’ve always thought [from seeing the Google website] that the Google work environment is fun. Yet here you are.. And where once did I mention anything about having an issue with Google’s privacy.

I’d appreciate a reply to that, try be patient and clear minded while you write it though, I am “immature” and will possibly not understand you if you start insulting me.

Finding the way you’ve picked up what I said hilarious,
Sean

I’m just trying to see if Sean could be helped to understand what others might be feeling or trying to deal with in a situation where they have had to act from a position of defense from the start of the conversation.

Actually, I’m surprised you considered anything I wrote an insult to anyone.

First of all, your having any qualms about Google’s implementation of their privacy policy while still using any Google services would seem rather odd, no? Or, do you not have a problem but just enjoy getting a reaction out of someone?

Second, were one to make outrageous claims about a company you work for, and hopefully care about, as well as its employees, meaning you, wouldn’t you become a little defensive?

Personally, I could care less about whatever anyone said about myself or my company because the best revenge is living well so I’ve been enjoying enough “prepaid revenge” to last lifetimes but would you be so self confident enough to be able to accept undeserved criticism without a word?

To be fair, considering your apparent age, I should probably warn you that these were all trick questions, most of which your next reply will show you failed.

No, I didn’t miss it. Legal and illegal are relative terms and in many cases have no meaning.

What does have meaning in every case, legal or illegal is the cost due to risk or loss as compared to the value possibly gained in a given transaction. The corollary of that being, how much is one willing to spend to keep what one is unwilling to share.

I think though that you and I might be “violently agreeing”, i.e. Google isn’t going to give up its data and worrying about it is only useful if one has no better use for their time.

Of course we couldn’t be defending the company we work for because….it’s actually not involved in any shady activity at all.

Re: Damien’s interview on the radio, you are aware that every ISP in Ireland keeps a copy of your internet activity and all your emails (if you use their mail service), and will happily furnish copies to law enforcement agencies on production of an appropriate warrant?

At the end of the day, Google don’t force anyone to use any of their products. If you have a baseless, blind mistrust of Google, there are many similar products you can use.