I may be biased because of my background in psychology, but ever since I saw the theory that his leaks were a way of changing people’s behavior I’ve been sure that was why he did it.

It’s the same idea as posting “smile, you’re on camera” signs in a store to deter shoplifting. Sure, you could just use the cameras and hope you catch the people, but putting up the signs does more to actually stop them. Humans, when they feel they are being watched, have a tendency to self-regulate their behavior to societal norms. By telling everyone just how little privacy they have, you get them to be more self-conscious about their actions. There’s a reason The Party reminded everyone that Brother Is Watching.

Snowden’s leaks were social conditioning.