The phone hacking and the other examples, as provided by the author, are all violations in a society increasingly conditioned to the escalation of anti-social actions of one towards another. These practices are part of a vicious cycle of increasing social and, eventual civil instability.

The author opens the path to this conclusion by his analysis of the consequence of an imbalance, even the abundance, of such chaos. He points out the increasing temptations and difficulties of the ethically responsible to remain competitive within this imbalance.

It’s not like violation is new to humanity. Our forebears have “been there, done that”. Digital and electronic technology isn’t the problem, it’s only the newest gadget, but one that removes physical restraints and tracks of theft or invasion of privacy. So, those whose personal programming is without internal controls, or conscience, do. What’s worse put a few of them together and they have a “bonding” experience. “But ma,” “every body does it.”

It was the realization of these consequences that stands behind the reason we have laws based upon social ethics in the first place. This sort of thing brings a whole new respect for those laws.

That said, Murdoch will be fine. They’ll all walk away having learned the lesson of all criminals who escape punishment, “Next time, be more careful so you don’t get caugh.”

He has been abusing innocent people for Decades and now the time has come to pay the Piper.