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Big Brother
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Big Brother Continuing our look at our throw away world, I want to talk about Big Brother. Some of us are old enough to remember George Orwell's novel "1984" and remember the sinister world portrayed in the movie of the same name. Shot in black and white, it was a chilling look at a future world controlled by a totalitarian leader. "Well, that can't happen here." you say. "Totalitarian regimes are falling all over the world." I suggest we need to stop and think if that is really true. Or maybe we are unknowing victims of a new brand of totalitarianism? Think about it for a few minutes. How many of you belong to one or another of the preferred shopping groups? When I buy groceries, my saver card entitles me to discounts. Is it worth the saving to know that my purchasing habits are being tracked? Most people would say it is. But take it one step further. I shop on the internet for various items and often get e-mail notices saying "we thought this would interest you". Again, they are tracking my preferences to try to get me to spend more. Various internet sites use spybots to track the sites you visit. And they are extremely deceptive in the way they do it, offering you something free to get you to accept a download of their bot. My telephone and power bills are analyzed by the providers marketing departments to send me offers for all kinds of products. Moreover, they sell my name and personal information ... without my permission and without informing me they are doing so. Now the US government has established a Department of Homeland Security and one of the proposals that keeps coming up is the idea of monitoring e-mail. And don't think the new laws they are discussing to reduce SPAM are really for your protection. Read that as another way for the government to gain access to your private communications. How will they enforce such a ban without invading your privacy? Those of us old enough to have read Orwell's "1984" can remember feeling apprehensive as the year actually approached. I find myself looking forward to 2004 with a very similar feeling. Artistry Discuss your views in The Forums at Xisti.com. Not registered? Click on the Register Now icon in the left column to join the community. |
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