Explain which role best describes Ross Ulbricht and give details as to why you believe this. Is he a tragic hero of internet privacy rights or simply a criminal who was caught facilitating the drug trade?
Defend or refute the notion that Ulbricht’s Silk Road contributed to a less violent society as it related to the illicit drug trade. Provide evidence supporting your opinion.
Consider this statement from the film: “The mice will win in the end, but the cat will be well fed.” What does it mean? Connect the topics of internet privacy rights, the Silk Road, and this quote.
Ross Ulbricht’s attorney, parents, and supporters all felt that his presumption of innocence until proven guilty was discarded from the time he was arrested until the trial date. This led them to believe that he would not be able to get a fair trial because of the publicity and sensational headlines. A similar argument was seen in the case of Whitey Bulger, the notorious Boston gangster. Explain whether high-profile criminal cases can be publicized in the media while maintaining a sense of fairness in the judicial system. Did Ulbricht get a fair trial? Were his rights violated? How does “freedom of the press” play into your answer?
