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Comment by Mountain_Skies | Hacker News Reader

There have been calls for Tesla to brick all of their cars in Russia, which apparently is possible for them to do. I'm sure the company wants to pretend they don't hear those calls because if they did it, it'd scare off a lot of future customers but if they don't do it, they're accused of supporting the invasion of Ukraine. Weird times we live in.

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Even github is being accused of facilitating the invasion. While the war is terrible, the accusations are absolutely bonkers. On the other hand, it all depends on the US gov. international trading and tax law regulations. They could pass a law just like they did with Iran and Tesla/Microsoft will have to follow suit.

pass a law? the last time they did this with crimea was a presidential executive order, citing a national emergency. passing laws would be used in a democracy. this is not one.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-action...

Wait until there are calls for bricking Neuralink implants for boogeyman of your choice. If you think times are weird now, you ain't seen nothing yet.

I do not understand why anyone (outside of maybe individuals with disabilities) would purposefully interface their actual brain with an item that is completely out of their control. I legitimately do not understand why you would allow that access.

If the company or a hostile government goes after my phone or internet, I can live without it. My brain?

You think you'll have much choice? Is living without internet really a choice? Is living without electricity really a choice?

Yes, and yes.

I can choose to live without internet, and it would suck. I can choose to live without electricity, and it would suck. But I can choose it.

I cannot imagine a future where my brain, my actual living brain, is interfaced with anything that I do not have complete and utter control of. And it might suck, I might miss out on entertainment, medical treatments, or whatever, but you have to draw a line somewhere.

There's being a Luddite and then there's being skeptical of something that can really mess you up. I am convinced being absolutely skeptical and refusing to participate with brain interfaces owned/operated by a third party is not being a Luddite.

a) that would be an act of war facilitated by a private company, so, yeah, not a great idea, and

b) do people really want to set a precedent of having a private company prevent access to the thing you bought because you disagree with a political position?

(b) is reasonable, (a) is not how I would classify such a move.

I think it's relevant to note that the Russian government is being complicit in the theft of many billions of dollars worth of aircraft that leasing companies are entitled to have back under the terms of their existing agreements. In doing so, Russia is also wiping out their value.

During war, not supporting the effort is normally what is considered unacceptable. Private individuals and companies are all expected to do their part.

Indeed they are, but my understanding is the us is not at war. Ukranian companies have to though.

Maybe they do onve Putin shoulder throws Elon once too often in their challenge fight over Ukraine, who knows...

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