Hey,
Your description of a life on the run was quite interesting and I was wondering if I could ask a few questions - would it be possible to do that? (your profile does not have an email ID)
Your description of a life on the run was quite interesting and I was wondering if I could ask a few questions - would it be possible to do that? (your profile does not have an email ID)
I have no special insight gained from first hand experience, however, if I meet someone that has a criminal record I make friends rather than run away from them. There can be many benefits in doing this, e.g. you have someone that appreciates and respects your advice, they can possibly do a better job than the police in retrieving your belongings if they get stolen, you can obtain unobtainable 'black market' items, get to the best parties, find out information not in the public domain and so on. You also get the best stories. I merely presented a composite, abbreviated version of things I have learned along the way. I am sure the same stuff could be found in films and books. I am also sure that the spies know what cycle to expect from those they take care of.
Anyway, couple of other things for you, since you are interested in the topic...
In the movies the guy on the run is able to get some help and support, in real life moral courage coupled with cognitive dissonance, hostile propaganda and ineptness gets in the way of that. Hence Mr Snowden, for all his many supporters is probably alone in very subtle ways, even when amongst trusted friends. None of those around him have pushed back the fear boundaries or played a tight game in a sigint-hostile 'battlespace', therefore, even if their intentions are good, or they think they have good intentions, things like basic stupidity get in the way. (Note that stupidity is the most harmful thing in the known universe.) Furthermore, anything involving actual risk is not something an honourable sort like Mr Snowden can palm off on others, so he is very much stuck doing everything himself, with no meaningful organisation to help him.
This situation was also a serious problem for Martin Luther King. He was able to get millions to turn up in support of what he had to do, yet he was also deeply alone. Part of his popularity stems from this, people who were alone could relate to what he said.
Orwell's classic 1984 is also quite interesting. We all read it at school, however, I believe the book takes on a whole new level of insight to those that are blowing the whistle in a surveillance society. Details like Winston's health problems take on a peculiar relevance. However, Orwell did not go far enough on the subtleties of betrayal and stupidity.