Everyone Could Use a “Big Brother” Now and Then
In college, all the communications majors were required to take a course entitled, “Media and Society.” It ended up being one of my favorites, and forced us to really analyze and critically evaluate the messages we are bombarded with on a daily basis – from TV to billboards to Internet pop-ups and everything in between.
In addition to being asked to keep a “media journal” throughout the semester, we were required to write a critical evaluation each week on a given assignment. And you’ve guessed it…one week our assignment was to read “1984” by George Orwell.
Now, I have to come clean here and admit that this particular week I found myself unusually swamped with campus leadership activities, so while I was usually the model student, I cheated a bit on this assignment and substituted reading (gasp!) for a healthy blend of cinematic viewing and Internet cliff notes. (I have since gone back though and read the book in its entirety – Girl Scouts honor.)
Reading that book from any viewpoint – whether critically or for entertainment – you’re bound to get a little wound up. Re-writing history? Forcing social conformance? Interfering in our personal lives and watching our every move? Blasphemy – break out the picket signs!
As any spry 19-year-old would do, “1984” made me quite cynical about life for a bit. I found myself questioning historically accepted facts about whether we really landed on the moon, how frequently Watergate-like scandals were occurring and whether or not my cell phone was actually some homing device recording my every move and thought. (Ok, I’m being a bit dramatic here, but you get the point).
Flash forward a few years and the notion of “Big Brother” becomes a hot topic in Davenport with the installation of several speed cameras. The community is upset because they’re unconstitutional, and tracking our indiscretions so uniformed officers don’t have to. The cameras were on, then turned off for a bit, and are now re-emerging and spreading to some surrounding towns.
But I have to admit – I think the city of Davenport may be getting one convert from the “Big Brother” bandwagon. A few weeks ago, someone robbed a gas station on Harrison and 35thStreet, and because of the speed camera there, police had the opportunity to go back and review footage to help catch the culprit.
And then I got side-swiped by a driver that decided to flee the scene yesterday morning, and I found myself begging for a camera at Harrison and 3rdso that justice could be served. Now that my emotions have calmed down on that a bit I’m able to find a happy medium between the two.
Let’s move in the direction of what a real Big Brother would do – watch over us, lend a hand every now and then, occasionally tattle (yes, that accounts for the speeding part), and be there to support us innocents when something goes wrong. I certainly don’t want someone charting my reality for me, but don’t the advances in technology have to cost us some of our freedom? I think Mr. George Orwell would agree with a resounding, “YES!”
What are your thoughts on how technology and media play into this concept?
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