1984 vs. Western Democracy: Survielance
1984 vs. Western Democracy: SURVIELANCE
The novel 1984, by George Orwell is an amazing novel, that is a must read, however this essay is comparing the surveillance in 1984 to surveillance in present day western democracies. In 1984 the amount of surveillance done by the government is unheard of, people are always under watch. Many people who read this book consider the amount of surveillance to be at such an extent that it is not believed that it could ever reach that level. However, the amount of surveillance in present day western democracies is at the same level if not a greater extent.
The reason people think 1984 has so much more surveillance is because of the fact that the characters in 1984 know they are being watched, it is obvious, everywhere you look there are telescreens watching the people. There is the same level of surveillance in western democracies except people do not realize they are being watched. The average person is caught on camera 100 times a day without even realizing it. The technology in place to do is so high tech that the every day person does not notice devices used to keep watch on them.
In 1984, the ways people were under surveillance was from telescreens, and listen devices, both of which the citizens were aware of. On the other hand surveillance of citizens in western democracies is much less obvious, yet it is still there. Tiny, powerful cameras are everywhere watching people pass by completely oblivious to their presence. Besides cameras, citizens are under watch in tons of different ways. Everything put on the internet can be traced back to the individual that put it up. High tech satellites can spy on any part of the globe at anytime without anyone knowing about it. Also the government can listen in to your phone calls at anytime they feel it necessary.
New technology in surveillance is being discovered every day, the newest thing that looks to be most promising is iris scanning. This new technology allows to scan
The novel 1984, by George Orwell is an amazing novel, that is a must read, however this essay is comparing the surveillance in 1984 to surveillance in present day western democracies. In 1984 the amount of surveillance done by the government is unheard of, people are always under watch. Many people who read this book consider the amount of surveillance to be at such an extent that it is not believed that it could ever reach that level. However, the amount of surveillance in present day western democracies is at the same level if not a greater extent.
The reason people think 1984 has so much more surveillance is because of the fact that the characters in 1984 know they are being watched, it is obvious, everywhere you look there are telescreens watching the people. There is the same level of surveillance in western democracies except people do not realize they are being watched. The average person is caught on camera 100 times a day without even realizing it. The technology in place to do is so high tech that the every day person does not notice devices used to keep watch on them.
In 1984, the ways people were under surveillance was from telescreens, and listen devices, both of which the citizens were aware of. On the other hand surveillance of citizens in western democracies is much less obvious, yet it is still there. Tiny, powerful cameras are everywhere watching people pass by completely oblivious to their presence. Besides cameras, citizens are under watch in tons of different ways. Everything put on the internet can be traced back to the individual that put it up. High tech satellites can spy on any part of the globe at anytime without anyone knowing about it. Also the government can listen in to your phone calls at anytime they feel it necessary.
New technology in surveillance is being discovered every day, the newest thing that looks to be most promising is iris scanning. This new technology allows to scan
Bibliography: 1. “TAKING A CLOSER LOOK” Newsweek. Written 10/17/07. Accessed 12//10/07. http://www.newsweek.com/id/53305 .