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user-inactivated · 2857 days ago · link · · parent · post: Terrorism Blacklist: I have a copy. Should it be shared? [Reddit post]
I don't care much, of course, about privacy and blah blah blah, but it's definitely worth noting that from a probabilistic point of view, the list is worthless. [Bayesian updating! Recommend the Ellenberg book for an easy primer -- he even has a chapter on terrorist lists.] However, the agencies which possess it no doubt do not understand that. What's the best way to make something that should be worthless, actually worthless? Give it to everyone! EDIT: that said, his list in the 'against' category is pretty strong -- though of course the idiot brigade has already come along and blathered about transparency.