> they were interested in open source, diversity, big data, artificial intelligence, and all the other buzzwords
I'm sure they were. Being interested in modern technology doesn't imply anything about someone's intentions.
> They all seemed like they genuinely thought what they were doing was helping people.
I've known and worked with several people that used to work at the NSA. I have no doubt at all that they believed they were doing important, helpful work. For many people, most of the time, that was probably true. However, even the best intentioned person will have a hard time actually verifying that speculation; by definition, someone who believed that the NSA's work was good/helpful probably also believes it's important to respect compartmentalization and not ask too many questions about things they don't need to know.
However, this is expected, because it's what most people believe about themselves. As Quark explained[1] about his own motivations as a smuggler, "No one involved in an extra-legal activity thinks of himself as nefarious. I'm a businessman, okay?"
> they were pushing the diversity stuff hard
I saw the same pro-diversity effort at the DOE. I wouldn't be surprised to see similar efforts throughout the public sector. None of this says anything related to the NSA's trustworthiness.
I'm sure they were. Being interested in modern technology doesn't imply anything about someone's intentions.
> They all seemed like they genuinely thought what they were doing was helping people.
I've known and worked with several people that used to work at the NSA. I have no doubt at all that they believed they were doing important, helpful work. For many people, most of the time, that was probably true. However, even the best intentioned person will have a hard time actually verifying that speculation; by definition, someone who believed that the NSA's work was good/helpful probably also believes it's important to respect compartmentalization and not ask too many questions about things they don't need to know.
However, this is expected, because it's what most people believe about themselves. As Quark explained[1] about his own motivations as a smuggler, "No one involved in an extra-legal activity thinks of himself as nefarious. I'm a businessman, okay?"
> they were pushing the diversity stuff hard
I saw the same pro-diversity effort at the DOE. I wouldn't be surprised to see similar efforts throughout the public sector. None of this says anything related to the NSA's trustworthiness.
[1] DS9 s06e25 "The Sound of Her Voice"