“We cannot have a society where some dictator someplace can start imposing censorship here in the United States, because if somebody is able to intimidate folks out of releasing a satirical movie, imagine what they’ll do when they see a documentary that they don’t like, or news reports that they don’t like — or even worse, imagine if producers or distributors or others start engaging in self-censorship because they don’t want to offend the sensibilities of somebody whose sensibilities probably need to be offended.” That was President Obama on the North Korea hack of Sony during his year-end press conference. Pay attention to the words self-censorship. This will be a big issue in the age of increasing transparency. A bad joke on Twitter can get you crushed. A leaked email can ruin your reputation. A secretly recorded conversation can destroy your career. The risks associated with broadcasting your thoughts might be enough to turn the era of digital communication into the age of STFU.

+ With the help of some activists and a few balloons, North Koreans might see The Interview before you do.

+ “They know what they themselves have written in their emails, and they’re afraid.” In an interview with Deadline, George Clooney shares some interesting takes on Hollywood and the Sony hack.

+ “in recent days, when they had something vulgar or highly sensitive to share, they have found themselves going back to the old-fashioned phone call. Some are even walking down the hallway to deliver profanities in person.” Nick Bilton in the NYT: How the Sony Corporation hack revived the lost art of the call.