> I have almost no hope that any substantive legal changes will pass in near future

This is the most popular move against action, to convince people it is hopeless. In fact, when the people want something strongly enough, it certainly happens. There is a long, well-established history of it.

I encourage everybody to continue trying, but I am also realistic. I often write my senators and congress people here in California about these issues and proposed bills. They send me back canned letters telling me to pound sand, save the children, blah blah. They are heavily funded by the surveillance capitalists, and the intelligence agencies rely on that data.

> realistic

A term people use to justify pessimism, as if that represents reality better than other options such as optimism.