◘ 16 ◘ voice;

[hacktivist]

It's telling to examine the similarities in emotional and computing vulnerabilities.

Many of the same security problems that existed in IPv4's implementation were not corrected in IPv6 (buffer overflows). One careless programmer can make a hundred thousand problems down the line with a brief lapse of attention (bounds checking). Constant vigilance and repeated testing of personal defenses are the only sure methods of safety.

And safety is a target in motion.

Generally speaking: how many times do you have to make the same mistake before you learn? Only once? Twice?



A hundred times?

Comments

voice

[hacktivist]

...Attachment.

voice

[candidly]

... I don't think you ever learn with that one.

voice

[hacktivist]

Beyond a general alert for the welfare of the attached, are there compensatory measures?

...Hypothetically...

voice

[candidly]

Compensatory measures? Like things you're supposed to do for the person you like? No... You just feel like doing things for them sometimes if you care about them. And, you know, you're a decent person to them.

voice

[hacktivist]

Heh. I meant ways around it. Feelings can't be removed, only concealed.

voice

[candidly]

Oh. [ slfjs slightly embarrassed pause ] There... aren't any really.

Voice; encrypted

[hacktivist]

[figuring for the first time he's probably messed up somewhere, hesitates, then encrypts]

You seemed adept at protecting yourself.

Voice; encrypted

[candidly]

[ she sounds wryly amused. ] I kinda am. But it's complicated.

Voice; encrypted

[hacktivist]

I'd like to know.

If you want to talk.

Voice; encrypted

[candidly]

[ she hesitates ] You won't tell anyone about this?

Voice; encrypted

[hacktivist]

I promise.

Voice; encrypted

[candidly]

I never wanted to have to protect myself, or however you put it. It's just... no one at school liked me, they all thought I was weird, and my parents— [ frustrated noise ] Mom didn't give a shit and dad tried but he was always way too busy with work and he just didn't get me, you know?

So I figured if trying to let people in was just going to get me burned, I wouldn't ever let anybody in. But that sucks so much. It's lonely and it still hurts you in the end, sometimes even worse than letting people in, in the first place. And sometimes taking a risk is so worth it, even if in the end... Even if there's an end.

Voice; encrypted

[hacktivist]

..hh.

Gwen.

[How does he emotion at this, it's so hard.]

I have no doubt you behaved as best you could, given the dictates of circumstance.

Voice; encrypted

[candidly]

I'm like ninety nine percent sure it saved my life.

Voice; encrypted

[hacktivist]

Would you be comfortable if I asked you to elaborate on that?

Voice; encrypted

[candidly]

I don't know if... It's kind of not something I really want to talk about? But if you're thinking one thing I could maybe say yes, that's it or no, it's not? 'Cause it's kind of. I don't know. Really personal.