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Comment by trekky1700 | Hacker News Reader

You pretty much just described Batman.

That comment made HN a better place.

Interesting point. Which side do you think the Caped Crusader would take?

based on the fact that he gave Fox control to destroy his cell phone surveillance. I think he would be pro snowden

Based on the fact that he had a cell phone surveillance system, he'd probably be pro-NSA.

I'm enjoying this.

Batman is an amazingly great epitome of libertarian paradox.

That's why he's always so moody. Cognitive dissonance.

I'd go even further to say that's why he is one of the most compelling superheros

...wish fulfillment power fantasy is not my idea of a compelling character.

I'm talking about the dissonance of his figure, and I think you realize that. I didn't say every single facet of the character was compelling.

Didn't he decide that the thing he set up was too powerful for anyone to have though?

(in at least one version, iirc, etc. etc.)

Sure, but that didn't stop him from using it, did it?

Yes - because he was the only one morally sound enough, in his opinion, to use it. Much like the NSA and GCHQ.

We like our superheroes to kick some villain's butt without pesky 'due process' getting in the way.

Kinda like the NSA, if you think about it.

Batman prefers due process.

After he's kidnapped you.

"I'd like you to meet the bastions of justice, my right jab Due and my left hook Process. Say hello!"

-- Batman

The whole premise of the movie was that sometimes that kind of surveillance is necessary to save society.

But the person who controlled that surveillance knew when to destroy it.

Ah... best comment all year!