Blog Assignment #5: Big Brother Is Watching You

In our society of today we must face a lot of terror, violence and threats against the democracy. Because of that some countries wants to have more surveillance and control over certain people and countries. We have control over some things and people in our country like cameras in different kinds of shops. However democracy is our right to freedom, to express our views and to integrity. But what happens to democracy and our freedom and right to integrity if we start to have harder control and surveillance over certain things?

First, a lot of cameras in stores and schools are a real fact today. When I went in upper secondary school we had cameras on certain places in school because it was lot violence and fights. I also had an identity control in the dining room where we were forced to put our forefinger on a piece of plastic and it identified that I actually was I. But I asked myself where was the respect for and protection of my integrity? Yet I must say that I have nothing to hide and it was not a problem to be controlled in this way. But I think there must be another way of controlling because these ways really don’t respect people’s integrity.

Second, control over people’s weekday and every day chores are some things that some people will have control over and maybe it make life easier. It has been a lot of talk about a future identification of people’s faces or eyes. An example of where this kind of future identification possibly can be found is when you need to have money. For instance you are standing outside a cash dispenser and your face will be scanned and recognized and then you will receive your money. It is possible that security with your money will be better but you are still very exposed I think.

Third, cameras in stores can be good because they can catch a thief or two and if we have nothing to hide it probably want be so terrible to be controlled in that way. But how will we face bigger issues and problems like fighting terrorism and violence in our world. I don’t think that strict control over people and countries, like surveillance with cameras, will exterminate our problems with terror in the world. Maybe this is a cliché but I think that the best way to avoid terrorism and violence in the world and preserve democracy is to start with being friends. If all people in the world stand behind the same things and think the same or at least listen and respect each other it will be much easier to trust each other and then we don’t need this strict control.

On the contrary it can be good to have certain control, in a low scale. When it comes to cameras in shops and schools it is ok I think. As long as you know what the aims are and that they are used as problem solvers. In that kind of identification where you need to show that you really are you, like the possible future eye - control and the fingerprint – identification I had in school, I think we must accept people’s integrity and the fact that a person can say no to this. Terrorism and threats against democracy will always be a problem. Or it will be a problem as long as the world stands on different parts and as long as we don’t listen to each other. Hard control of people is not the answer to good relationships and trust I think. All people in the world must respect and listen to each other to preserve our democracy.