It doesn't need to be consistently concentrated in these venture-capital funds and things like that.

They still have negligent auditing, they still have things going for a walk, and they have no idea where they're coming from and they have no idea where they're going. And if that's the case, how can we as the public trust the NSA with all of our information, with all of our private records, the permanent record of our lives?

I don't want to live in a world where there's no privacy, and therefore no room for intellectual exploration and creativity.

The sad truth is that societies that demand whistleblowers be martyrs often find themselves without either, and always when it matters the most.

These [NSA] programs were never about terrorism: they're about economic spying, social control, and diplomatic manipulation. They're about power.

What defines patriotism, for me, is the idea that one rises to act on behalf of one's country.

When Laura Poitras asked me if she could film our encounters, I was extremely reluctant. I’m grateful that I allowed her to persuade me. The result is a brave and brilliant film that deserves the honor and recognition it has received. My hope is that this award will encourage more people to see the film and be inspired by its message that ordinary citizens, working together, can change the world.