1984 America

1984 2 Table of Contents Introduction............................................................................................................................3 Body I.....................................................................................................................................3 Body II...................................................................................................................................3 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................4

1984 3 Matthew Hahn Professor Heil Computer Apps 10 August 2011

1984 America In the book 1984, there are innumerable methods used by the party leaders to control the masses, specifically constant surveillance. The party is omniscient; they see and listen to all of the citizens of Oceania through the Telescreen and Microphones implanted throughout the city. With this, they are able to accuse of any citizens of thoughtcrime and facecrime. Interestingly, George Orwells depiction of a future totalitarian society does not seem to be much different from our current free, democratic society that the government seem to be presenting to the public.

In the 21st century, we have made big leap in the field of science technology; including the field of surveillance. Now we have equipments that allows us to view anyone in the world through various types of equipment such as the CCTV and microphones. These technology has let us to catch criminals who have otherwise would have gotten away; but at the same time these technology that seem to be protecting us does not seem to be only doing those things, but rather invading the privacy that we are "supposedly" guaranteed.

Privacy is guaranteed right in the U.S. through the power of the U.S. Constitution, specifically the 5th amendment in the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights are a legal binding

1984 4 "contract" with a U.S. Citizen and its government where the citizen is given immunity or protection in its respective instances. But these technologies are very privacy invading through its ability to track and record the person without their consent and realization. A Closed Circuit Television also known as a CCTV is an equipment that records specific places and transmitted through a closed signal. This equipment is typically placed in almost every corners of our cities and they are able to monitor the areas for any peculiar activities or crime. But, these seems to be rather violating our privacy by recording our activities without our consent or notice.

Now, with the faster advancement of technology, the CCTV and microphone are becoming slowly obsolete and more advanced surveillance are taking its place. Now these equipments are able to take away our privacy even more by making us rather send out our own private information without any real notification or consent. New technology such as social networking websites such as Facebook requires the users to send his or her private information to the website; slowly forcing the user into self submission.

References Robinson, Janice S. "CCTV Warning Signs - Data Protection Act Compliant." The Positive Services Group. Rapson, 08 Jan. 2010. Web. 09 Aug. 2011. <http://www.rapson.co.uk/cctvsigns/cctv-facts.html>.

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