Attention Rob Thomas

I could write plenty about my experiences at Hackers on Planet Earth (HOPE) this weekend, and I probably will, later. But I had a quick thought during Steve Rambam’s talk on privacy loss yesterday that I wanted to share with you all.

How great would it have been if the Veronica Mars movie had focused on big data, surveillance and privacy issues instead of that throwaway murder mystery plot? I’m imagining Mac as a major player - a sys-admin for the government and perhaps a Snowden-esque leaker, or a corporate whistleblower. The Kanes are, in story, technology tycoons - you could easily make them a stand in for Facebook, Google, etc. There could even be a subplot about the Neptune police department buying drones and using new tools to invade people’s privacy.

It would have been relevant, provocative and even educational for viewers. Mac could’ve name-dropped real privacy tools like Tor, SecureDrop, CryptoCat, etc and Veronica could wrestle with the hypocrisy of fighting for privacy rights while she invades people’s privacy all the damn time.

Bonus: the focus would be on the two smart, complicated female leads and their friendship, rather than on predictable romantic subplots.

Maybe there’s hope for the next movie?