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Week 4

The document discusses the evolution of surveillance from early technological changes to the modern surveillance society characterized by big data and digital footprints. It highlights the implications of surveillance for individuals, businesses, and governments, emphasizing the accessibility of information and the potential for both transparency and privacy concerns. The concept of 'Big Brother' from George Orwell's work is referenced as a metaphor for government control and intrusion into personal lives.

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alikhatri1994
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16 views7 pages

Week 4

The document discusses the evolution of surveillance from early technological changes to the modern surveillance society characterized by big data and digital footprints. It highlights the implications of surveillance for individuals, businesses, and governments, emphasizing the accessibility of information and the potential for both transparency and privacy concerns. The concept of 'Big Brother' from George Orwell's work is referenced as a metaphor for government control and intrusion into personal lives.

Uploaded by

alikhatri1994
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Digital Media and Cultural

Studies
The Surveillance Society
The Surveillance Society

-Louis Brandies, supreme court justice of the USA in 1890


published an article called ‘technological change’.

-HADA 2- Beginning of the printing press, block printing techniques,


photography etc

-Current day technological changes- computers, mobiles, internet

-Most debates occur based on media intrusion, but the main


threat is of everyday transaction records
Digital Footprints to Surveillance Society
- A transition
• Digital footprints are personal/
individualized and limited, whereas the
concept/notion of a surveillance society
is one that is holistic- where we begin to
think of big data and data banks and
indirect recording of data through
mobile companies and traffic
monitoring systems (for example).
Information is power/ Capitalising through
the Surveillance Society
• Firms- interested in employees
and customers
• DNA databases (Biometrics)
facial recognition etc
• Government utilizing data
processing technology to:
- Track benefit claimants
- Delivering better health care
- Security purposes
Information accessible to
all not just the rich and
powerful

Equally as difficult to Transparent Society (Critical No monopolies of data


reinforce this as is Thought Process) banks/ private or
privacy government

Cameras to record all


citizens and not disclude
those in uniforms-
surveillance for the
criminals and police for
example
The Culture of Surveillance

Amazon- an information broker? Or just a global retail website?


Big Brother- George Orwell
Though Big Brother does not appear directly in the
story, his presence permeates Oceania’s bleak
society. Posters displaying his photograph feature the
slogan “Big Brother is watching you”; hidden devices
in every room enable his Thought Police to monitor
the activities of all citizens.

Orwell’s satiric portrait of Big Brother anticipated with


alarming accuracy the characteristics of a number of
real-life 20th-century people holding absolute power. The
term Big Brother has come to signify government control of
and intrusion into individual lives.

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