> There are lots of very experienced people and resources allocated to this problem across the world
It sounds like a curing-cancer-style problem where what's needed is some scientific breakthrough for a specific problem... So... Who are these "very experienced people", and what "resources" are allocated, where? Or how far exactly is this "above my paygrade"?
Because this appears to me, fundamentally, a difference of opinion, or maybe just even priorities. If you get enough people to care, just watch how fast policies can change. And while I may have wasted my "career and life experience" on skills that disqualify me from this super-elite circle of "people allowed to care", my sorry excuse for a brain can't think of something more important than public advocacy of these issues, nor can it find fault with what John Oliver is doing.
But, you know.. whatever.
1. nonprofits like EFF
2. investigative journalists who search for truth and expose corruption instead of writing emotional pieces telling people what to think and helplessly worry about.
3. software, hardware and network engineers building end-to-end secure systems as opposed to ones designed for mining user data which inadvertently (or deliberately, you decide ;)) end up being abused by spies and hackers.
Ironically, these are the same systems that are causing the problem in the first place. You would put the last nail in the coffin of civic engagement?
At which paygrade am I allowed to cast my ballot? Voice my concerns? Is my own privacy "above my paygrade"?
It seems to me that outside elections, either being a lawyer or supporting the people who are has the most impact.
There are lots of very experienced people and resources allocated to this problem across the world working on it round the clock. But this is a hard problem. It's going to take multiple generations to achieve a mature resolution. Some problems don't fix themselves in the timeframes it takes John Oliver or Alex Jones to write a skit.
I find the press and their stand up comic proxies in their quest to "inform and educate" the public are creating a whole lot of unnecessary anxiety and panic.
It's a great way to hold everyone's attention without serving any purpose other than producing media figures. And in the attention economy constructed by Youtube/Twitter/Facebook no question this benefits them to a great deal.
Just because systems exist today that are bringing to your attention every single problem known to man doesn't mean you need to be involved in the solutions that are above your paygrade. Especially if your career and life experience don't involve the skills to do something about this. I am sure there are problems out there you can apply your skills and experience too.
This sort of defeatist attitude is very infectious and especially effects the psyche of people with the skills who could actually play a role down the road.