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Daniel Solove eloquently states the problems with the "I have nothing to hide" argument in this famous paper now turned book https://scholarship.law.gwu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=...


I've not read t but guessing its similar to why you shouldn't speak to police without a lawyer even if "I done nothing wrong". Because you will probably say something they can use against you regardless.


Which is a dangerous family of opinions to apply without fully understanding them, as asking for a lawyer when they’re at your door inquiring about a missing neighborhood kid is probably counterproductive and escalates attention on you unnecessarily. It’s a fine opinion when common sense is involved. I don’t have a problem with the sentiment, just watching people who digest YouTube and shout “where’s your probable cause” at the poor guy looking for gypsy moths at the California border.

(Yes, I’ve seen that on 50 in Tahoe.)


I'm pretty sure that idiots like that will be idiots no matter what advice they stumble over.

But I have to say,

> Which is a dangerous family of opinions to apply without fully understanding them

I get what you're saying, but the point of the advice is that, in a situation to which the advice is applicable, you don't fully understand the implications of anything you may say, so your best play is to clam up and get a lawyer.


>your best play is to clam up and get a lawyer. //

Your best play if you want to waste police time because you for some reason hate society and think helping to make it run smoothly infringes on your rights - because fuck those guys, right, they're not paying you to search for the kid you just saw walking off with Ann Ominous, why should you help.

Hyperbole; but I think it illustrates the counterpoint sufficiently.


> they're not paying you to search for the kid you just saw walking

I said, "in a situation to which the advice is applicable". Nobody is saying leave Timmy in the well, they're talking about situations involving being detained or arrested.


I meant if you suspect you are a suspect


I like this essay but got irritated by the number of times 'nothing to hide' phrase is used.




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