Sunday, July 15, 2007
1984...
So over the weekend, I went on a trip to Tahoe with my family and since I knew i wouldn't have much time to read 1984 after getting back from Tahoe, I decided to read the book on the way to Tahoe. I was surprised at how I was so drawn into the book but I just read the book without much thought and I was just being entertained. Once I arrived at Tahoe, I walked through the casino to go to the hotel lobby. Something that immediately caught my attention were the cameras installed all over the ceiling inside the casino. I'm not talking about 10-20 cameras installed throughout the casino, I'm talking about hundreds of cameras. It seemed that the whole ceiling was covered with surveillance cameras and this reminded me of the telescreens in the novel. I felt like every move I was taking was being watched and even though I wasn't doing anything wrong, most of my attention went to wondering if those cameras were looking at me. Now obviously those cameras were probably installed to catch thieves inside of casinos but just the fact that those cameras were there watching everyone's movements was what scared me. It just made me feel restricted for some reason and I didn't feel so comfortable seeing so many cameras planted to the ceiling. For a second, I felt like i was Winston in the novel who just tried to avoid being seen by the telescreen. Just the fact that someone somewhere was watching me felt like I had to watch out for what I was doing and I felt like I could not be myself. If I had not read a part of this novel before entering the casino, I don't think I would have paid attention to the cameras as much.
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2 comments:
I can totally relate, Sean. It's so funny how these days it's kind of odd NOT to see surveillance cameras. I remember going to a library once and thinking "I don't see any cameras, but I bet they're hiding out there somewhere."
Also, isn't it funny that when you call credit card companies, or AT&T, or Comcast for customer service and they always say the call may be monitored for security purposes? It's almost like we have no alternative BUT to suck it up and be monitored, otherwise what are you going to do? Hang up the phone and forego your rights as a customer?
Haha, yeah so I went to this restaurant, I forgot what it was called, but there were cameras in the corners of the restaurant. There were cameras in the bathrooms and in the elevators. Yeah, it's funny how there are camera all over the place. Man, people can't trust others in this society.
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