Many people have probably heard the phrase “Big Brother is watching you,” though they may not know its origin. It comes from the dystopian novel 1984, by George Orwell. This novel constantly speaks of “Big Brother,” part of the all-seeing government, where there are telescreens in every home and people report any suspicious activity they see. Though published in 1949, many of the things that are going on in that society is happening today. Today’s society and that of 1984 is too similar, and this should be changed.
For examples, the popular web browser, Google. Its stated mission is “to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” Google keeps track of what you images you look at, the websites you go on, …show more content…
There are over 1.2 million individuals on the NSA watch list, though many are unaware of the surveillance on them every day. (Gomez) Many popular phone companies such as Verizon and AT&T agreed to release customer data, phone numbers, and access to tap into phone lines and user calls, putting nearly everyone in the United States under constant watch.
A person’s cellphone may be the most widely used. Like Google, our phones are taking not “of what we buy, where and when we buy it, how much money we have in the bank, whom we text and e-mail, what websites we visit, how and where we travel, what time we go to sleep and wake up — and more.” (Maass) Most of this data is shared with companies all over to offer us more items. These smartphones are less phones and more trackers, and every day they learn more and more.
Today’s society is one where people are carefully observed, with many not knowing. Until more recently, this idea was merely something of fiction. But how much longer until this fiction becomes a reality, where the government takes it one step further? From the NSA to Google, this society will never be stopped being watched. Today’s society and that of 1984 is too similar, and this should be
For examples, the popular web browser, Google. Its stated mission is “to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” Google keeps track of what you images you look at, the websites you go on, …show more content…
There are over 1.2 million individuals on the NSA watch list, though many are unaware of the surveillance on them every day. (Gomez) Many popular phone companies such as Verizon and AT&T agreed to release customer data, phone numbers, and access to tap into phone lines and user calls, putting nearly everyone in the United States under constant watch.
A person’s cellphone may be the most widely used. Like Google, our phones are taking not “of what we buy, where and when we buy it, how much money we have in the bank, whom we text and e-mail, what websites we visit, how and where we travel, what time we go to sleep and wake up — and more.” (Maass) Most of this data is shared with companies all over to offer us more items. These smartphones are less phones and more trackers, and every day they learn more and more.
Today’s society is one where people are carefully observed, with many not knowing. Until more recently, this idea was merely something of fiction. But how much longer until this fiction becomes a reality, where the government takes it one step further? From the NSA to Google, this society will never be stopped being watched. Today’s society and that of 1984 is too similar, and this should be