That is so 1984. I mean, really.

Asterisk, historical fact. As part of my job, I regularly recieve requests from journalists looking for people to interview on various subjects (which almost never have to do with anything we work on, but hey - there might be one someday, and when there is, I suppose I'll be there). So today, in my 10:00 feed of requests, I got the following (Publication and journalist name removed):

**10. NON-EXPERT: WOMEN CYBERSPIES
For a story I'll be pitching to a national women's magazine, I'm seeking stories from women (ages 21-50) who have fought terrorism in creative ways, other than through the military. Any stories will be welcomed, but I'm specifically interested in women who have volunteered their own time and interest as "cyberspies" -- people who go to international chat rooms and Web sites late at night and track suspicious conversations and news, to alert the authorities of potential terrorists. If you or someone you know has ever done something like this, please send such stories to me via e-mail. No phone calls, please.

Seriously. Does anybody else find this even vaguely creepy?

That is so 1984. I mean, really.

Asterisk, historical fact. As part of my job, I regularly recieve requests from journalists looking for people to interview on various subjects (which almost never have to do with anything we work on, but hey - there might be one someday, and when there is, I suppose I'll be there). So today, in my 10:00 feed of requests, I got the following (Publication and journalist name removed):

**10. NON-EXPERT: WOMEN CYBERSPIES
For a story I'll be pitching to a national women's magazine, I'm seeking stories from women (ages 21-50) who have fought terrorism in creative ways, other than through the military. Any stories will be welcomed, but I'm specifically interested in women who have volunteered their own time and interest as "cyberspies" -- people who go to international chat rooms and Web sites late at night and track suspicious conversations and news, to alert the authorities of potential terrorists. If you or someone you know has ever done something like this, please send such stories to me via e-mail. No phone calls, please.

Seriously. Does anybody else find this even vaguely creepy?