First things first, read 1984 before you read this post. Otherwise you won't have any idea what this post is talking about. 1984 is a classic dystopian by George Orwell. You can find it on amazon; if you haven't read this book yet, I highly suggest that you do.
The book chronicles the year 1984. The brainwashed civilians are living under an all powerful entity known as "Big Brother." They are constantly being watched; if they are believed to be guilty, removed from society. They are brainwashed, lied to, and manipulated. And they are devoted to "big brother," they view him as a sort of God. That description, in it of itself, doesn't sound much like our world. But many elements in the book reflect elements in our world today. Written back in a time when society wasn't like this, it's incredible to see how well this book foretold pieces of future society.
1. We're watching you...
In the book, a mysterious entity named big brother and the government is "watching" the civilians using a wide variety of technology and complex tracking. Now What does that remind you of in today's society...
The truth is we don't actually know how much we are being watched. But it isn't only internet and telecommunications that are being monitored. Intelligence indicates that the NSA can obtain information from an offline computer by sending out a series of radio waves. But that's not all. It's common knowledge that our communications are monitored, but our voices too? Recording devices placed on the rooftops of buildings may pick up information from passerby. Not to mention the fake WiFi networks the NSA sets up to extract data from the user.
And we know at least some of this to be true. In recent years, an individual PMed his friend threatening acts of terrorism. He was arrested. How did they know? They knew because they are watching...
2. 1984 depicted a police state. The United States isn't a police state where people are punished for not doing anything...
Well, actually that depends on how you define police state. If you follow the news, you may have heard stories of kids being suspended from school for saying "gun." Indiduals being detained at customs for bringing a sock monkey with a two inch toy gun in its pocket. Harsher and harsher measures are being implemented as we speak. How long is it before people start getting arrested for small matters that don't actually warrant arrest.
I estimate within this generation's lifetime we'll see this prediction come true
3. But at least we aren't brainwashed... or are we?
Compared to the citizens of the DPRK, we are not brainwashed. However, heavily monitored/controlled outside sources get to our heads from a very young age. The mainstream media, advertisers... all of it influences how our brains work. So in that sense we are brainwashed. Many of us are conditioned to fear the unknown. Unknown which we have to depend on the mainstream media to clarify.
We aren't as free as we might think we are... just because are free compared to individuals in other countries does not mean we are free.
4. But hey, at least we can turn the cameras OFF
At least for now we can block the lens, but the microphone still hears you speak? There is already technology out that allows the device to know whether it is seeing you or not. How long until that technology is forced on us? At that point, it will be just like 1984. Cameras watching... all the time. Any attempt to stop them from doing so is considered shady and will get you arrested.
5. At least in 1984, the cameras stayed in one place
There has already been talk of drones being used to database a person's face. And given all the other sketchy shit the NSA has done, why not. Imagine cameras flying above you, following you around... at least in 1984, the recording devices stayed in one place...
If that doesn't worry you, nothing will.
6. United under the same power for years and years, forever and ever since the beginning and at the end...
No, not the president. What else is something that Americans abide by, that is firmly planted in our DNA. That we... worship and honor?
The constitution was originally written for the benefit of the US citizens. It was supposed to be changed now and again.
It isn't. We are living under and worshipping an outdated set of rules and laws... because we are told to.
Kind of like big brother...
And, just like the constitution, big brother is an idea as opposed to a person.
The American equivalent of big brother...
They actual look sort of similar... like they could be brothers almost. BIG brothers
7. Like the civilians in 1984, we too lack knowledge
The reality is, why don't know to what extreme these things are true. We know we are spied on... how much? We don't know that. We do know that the NSA, at the least, has the technology Google Earth uses. But who knows, maybe they have technology that updates in real time. Maybe they have technology that can see through walls... we don't really know.
We also don't know how much our minds are changed...
we don't know who is or isn't watching us...
we don't entirely know what we can and cannot be punished for anymore...
Sounds a lot like
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