| THOUGHT CRIME IS DEATH �GREETINGS FROM BIG BROTHER�S AGE.� Recently it was reported in the news that Tampa, Florida had installed video surveillance cameras on its city streets. This is nothing new many cities across the world have them for security and for traffic information. What makes the ones in Tampa so interesting is instead of being primarily of a defensive nature these are of an offensive posture. These cameras are linked together to a computer data base that cross references everybody who is captured in the lens with the file photos of wanted and known criminals. Once a criminal or wanted person is located a police unit is dispatched to apprehend them. Thus making the streets safer for the population. Orwell�s dark vision of a totalitarian state depicted in the classic novel nineteen eighty four is and has been upon us. The slogans of �war is peace�, �freedom is slavery� and �ignorance is strength� seem so subtly true in this age of technological wonder. Personally I am not disturbed by these developments I believe in such idealistic visions that through the belief in the education ( and when needed the re-education ) of man that we can eliminate the plagues of society. That a cashless society having had the benefits of technology to relieve the burdens of �freedom� elevated so that reality a utopia can be achieved is quite possible. This is where the problems arise in the minds of political scientists and also beautifully stated by dostiofsky in that with freedom we become slaves of �choice�. In a utopian society there must be a place for the cherished individual but the society as a whole takes precedence over all else. Much like eastern philosophy, Buddhism in particular teaches that once you release the self spiritual oness can be attained. This is utopia what we have now is a �democracy� held hostage by a rabid octopus with its tentacles wrapped around everything known by its insidious name- capitalism. The current regime has no intention to honor the principles laid out in documents written over two hundred and twenty five years ago. It seeks only to continue its reign of exploitation by strengthening its hold through technology. Credit card purchases, internet access is tracked through those cute little pop ups known as �cookies� and let us not forget that great little discount card from Kroger. All of these things allow the corporate military industrial entertainment complex to create a portrait of our identities. The end result is a more efficient means at sedating us through directed marketing and psychological profiling. The Toflers detailed this scheme in their book �Third Wave�. The bottom line is that a �government by the people, for the people shall perish for this earth�. Corporations control the state and are in direct conflict with each other over the vast amounts of information relating to the continued enslavement of the human race through consumerism. This information is then sold to corporations and the intelligence/ security services of the state by companies whose sole purpose is to be the THOUGHT POLICE. So we let this happen as a result of our own addiction for consumer products. Ignorance truly is strength, freedom is truly slavery and war is definitely peace in this age of Big Brother. The desensitization of our civilization through the media and the desocialization of humanity has resulted in the blind obedience required for the continued and ensured enslavement of the planet�s population. Though not the monochromatic depiction set in Orwell�s book rather a varied pastel incarnation is what is happening. Fear not what is behind the door of room 101 what lies in wait there is our own liberation. Technology is not the enemy it is just the means to their end. In the hands of the people not the corporate military industrial entertainment complex a love of what can be built and the indoctrination of some eastern philosophy in a post revolutionary society the opposite of nineteen eighty four can be achieved - utopia. return to august's table of contents |