Watching you, watching me
Its time to begin I suppose, keeping a social narrative. Putting out there in cyber space my thoughts, opinions and, perhaps a little of my feelings.
Not sure really where to start because there is really no beginning. I have called it my little rant so I suppose I could always start with my favourite pet hate.
CCTV cameras! The bane of my life. Some, in this day and age, will probably think I am wierd. But I really hate being filmed…. when video cameras became the norm at weddings I found many different ways to avoid the camera, mainly because if ever caught I would always wave like a lunatic and shout “hello Mum”. Seeing that played back at family gatherings made me realise that I’m no good on film. So being on film where ever I roam gives me the shivers! Thats my personal phobia.
On a more ethical level. I was under the impression that I lived in a country that believed in the freedom of movement and innocent until proven guilty. When, can anyone tell me, did that change. I realise that our constitution was never written down, never set in stone like the Yanks, but I never heard about discussion in the House of Lords or you know that other place - errm where they all grunt like monkeys and behave like playground bullies - thats it Parliament!
The population is under constant surveillance, none of us are trusted - all are suspects. So surely that makes us all guilty to start with, does this not go against the idea that we begin innocent. Does this not go against our consistution? Shouldn’t somebody being saying something?
Its funny you know, where I live is surrounded by CCTV cameras. Does it make me feel safe? Short answer to that is No. I hadn’t realised it was quite like that until I was out walking one night and I saw two coppers walking the beat around my area. I had my dog with me, but wasn’t aware how tense I’d been until I saw the flash of their uniform and felt my shoulders relax. Suddenly, I felt safe. Knowing within shouting distance were two guys/girls who could be called upon if I got into trouble. Cameras don’t make me feel that way. All they do is film the damn incident and if you manage to survive and get it to court, the picture’s too fuzzy to recognise anyone - Superb way to police a rough area. Keeps the police safe I suppose, with health and safety laws these days they have to be careful.
Arh thats better. I am so fed up with people not understanding the finer points of the constant surveilance we now live in. May be I’ve thought about it that bit more because of my reading tastes. As a young woman I was given a book to read, something a bit different from what I’d known. The author was George Orwell and the book …. 1984! Should be made compulsory reading at school. It was through reading the nightmare that unfolded in its pages that I discovered a society I didn’t want to belong too. One where everyone was suspicious of everyone else. I hadn’t realised at the time that the book was to be so prophetic. I sometimes wish I never read the damn thing!
Well, I’m now going to bring this to a close for now. When my studies are finished for the summer, I’m hoping to have a few more rants.
