Do you remember reading 1984 in junior high and not being very alarmed by it? Nothing like that could ever really happen; cameras in the walls of houses? It was way past 1984 by then anyway. Then the movie Minority Report came out and the thought of anything happening like in movie was enough to make me stop at the preview. However, even then, far fetched, right? How about Eagle Eye? A computer single handedly taking over the United States by tapping into the vast surveillance data the country holds. I didn't buy it. I'm not a conspiracy theorist. Talking, free-thinking computers reach beyond the limits of my suspension of disbelief. But with the new technology coming out in 2010...who knows what is around the corner.
I was watching the news yesterday and guess what new gagets are coming out and about. One, the new airport scanners that show every hair on your body. (Privacy violation, anyone?) Can you imagine the storage of sketchy pictures of everyone in their birthday suits? Two, cops in California are experimenting with video cameras that look like blue tooth devices they are required to wear and record every interaction with "civilians." Again, can you imagine the stored data of all of those events? Third, new cell phones (again blue tooth style)that can write texts by voice command. Can you imagine the instant upload of data of anything that comes out of your mouth?
It just doesn't seem like we could be too far off from Orwellian prophecies for the future. I'm not worried - but I just don't think it is as far fetched as I once supposed.
9 comments:
I welcome that kind of security in the airports. Next time I go through the line, I hope they're taking a good, hard look!! :)
I wonder how they'll announce the process: "We will now electronically undress you. Assume a wide stance."
Not me - when I go overseas this summer I think I will drive my car to the coast, and row a boat across the Atlantic. ;) They are getting those scanners at SEATAC in Seattle....
Hah! You're hilarious! But just think - you won't have to worry about your plane blowing up in mid-air (assuming there are no mechanical difficulties).
It does feel very violating knowing that kind of image will be recorded, and "ogled" for a lack of a better word. I will be one of those masses rowing instead of flying as well.
If ever there was a reason to lose weight. Blergh on the nakedness - I hope the viewing screens are more protected than the baggage screening monitor! Anyway, I don't particularly mind the CCTV stuff, but I do think this pseudo x-ray thing is obnoxious. I wonder at what point we will decide privacy is more important than security? I guess I could just never, ever fly anywhere again. It just seems far too invasive for that small sliver of extra security it gives.
I'm conflicted about that new airport screening. On one hand, I definitely think it will stop those wierdos who hide bags of stuff in their underwear, but on the other, I feel that it is a huge invasion of my privacy. How do you screen out the perverts and deviants who will start applying for security jobs just so they can catch a glimpse and get their jollies?
I agree! Think of the perverts behind the screens! Who would we want to see us that way.....and the thing with the guy who hid explosives in his BVDs, he made it through screening somehow - granted not this screening, but they'll still find ways - so I kind of agree with Scully - is it that much of an advance in security for the invasion of our privacy? And will kids and everyone have to be screened?
Eagle Eye started out so good then totally bombed with the crazy computer ending. Talk about flashback to Matthew Broderick in War Games!
I get what you mean. Big Brother and Rossum collide.
I think that was what they had in Salt Lake when we flew to New York. The crazy thing is they had much better security in Salt Lake than they did in the NY airport?!? I definitely felt a little violated :)! But, I guess we just can't think too much about who is behind the screen and hope they are going to forget all the plump and hard bodies they see! If not, I feel sorry for them!!!
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