The whole point of 1984 is to reflect on modern society and the direction it’s headed. When you look at America, you don’t see a totalitarian regime. However, you might see the violation of privacy as a step in that direction. When Winston feels paranoid about always being watched, I think back to the many sources constantly watching me.
Don’t you just love it when you dream about a product and it appears while you’re scrolling down your instagram feed the next day? Yeah me too. It’s gone from ads about the thing I Googled the other day, to literally predicting my deepest desires. Every single thing that I’ve ever done or searched on the Internet is being collected into the many algorithms of these companies, so they can better target me with their advertising.
It may seem far fetched, but I’d argue that we could even relate to telescreeens. Many times I’ve found myself covering up webcams on my devices just to ensure my privacy. There was a whole meme for a while about FBI agents watching each and every one of our personal devices. While obviously that notion might be impossible, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t tracking our devices in some other way. Even more concerning, is the array of security devices lining every building and street. You are literally being watched at every moment. Can I talk about the random appearance of those Amazon Echo devices and Alexa. One day, they just appeared in everyone’s houses, like at the same time. I hardly get the appeal of them. Who’s to say it isn’t the government’s way of monitoring us inside our houses. I mean the devices must be listening at all times in order to pick up our vocal commands. I’m not saying that’s true, but I find it mildly disconcerting.
Honestly, I don’t think we’re a long way away from thought control if the government wanted to control us more. However, with America being a Republic, most Representatives value their privacy too and probably want to protect it. Still, it’s always good to pay attention. And next time you’re having a conversation with your friend, make sure to greet Siri just to make her and Big Brother feel a little more welcome in your home.
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I loved your connection between 1984 and the modern era. You highlighted a lot of ways that our society is becoming eerily similar to Oceania. I think it’s pertinent that we at least stay aware of the direction we are heading. Great post!
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About the Amazon Alexa always listening, that is actually true. For now, that information is in private hands, but it’s definitely uncharted territory. As for the algorithms, they are in their infancy and the whole idea of “machine learning” is still just a buzz word thrown around by start-ups who rip off investors, but even with rudimentary algorithms, so much is already happening. So here is a question that I’ve been mulling over for quite some time: if you knew that your conversations, along with the conversations of millions of others could be used to give IBM Watson speaking capabilities, thereby providing free diagnosis and consultation to everyone in the world, would this be a worthwhile trade? On the one hand there’s freedom, but on the other there’s the women and children all over the world dying because of inadequate “traditional medicine”. Great post btw!
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YES! FINALLY A DIATRIBE ABOUT MY TRUE NEMESIS: THE AMAZON ALEXA. This device has completely hijacked my name and ruined my ability to be present in others’ houses without competing with a stupid little device. That being said, I think you draw some fascinating parallels to how data and algorithms are perfecting individualized advertising. Is the ease and convenience worth it? I loved your closer: “And next time you’re having a conversation with your friend, make sure to greet Siri just to make her and Big Brother feel a little more welcome in your home.”
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