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The Surveillance Society

 

 

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In the wired magazine, the article was about the security before and after the September 11 attack.

After the attacks on the world trade center and the pentagon, Atty. General John Ashcroft

spoke to high ranking officials, and organized anti-terrorism measures. He created the idea

on how to make it easier for the government to tap cell phones, monitor email,

strengthen money-laundering laws, and weaken immigant's rights. There were a lot of

whispers about new kinds of technology which would protect the citizens.

 

 

 

Before the September 11 attack, people did not mind the cameras around them.

They only noticed it after the September 11 attack. I think this is because people were

becoming conscious about their safety, making them aware of the surveillance cameras around them.

The September 11 attack ignited the use of technology as protection against terrorists.

According to the wired magazine I have, information about us are given when we use our credit cards,

debit cards, cellphones, and etc. Transit cards chart rider's subway journeys, employee ID cards

can track our attendance in the office, credit card records etch us in time and space more reliably.

Aside from these cards, there are also cameras everywhere. Cameras are hidden in trees

and traffic lights, mounted on police cars, and affixed to the walls of malls and other buildings.

 

                                                  Surveillance Cameras                   GPS                        Traffic-Light cameras 

 

After the attack, technology advanced. There are already surveillance cameras that capture

images in which authorities can cross-check against a database of criminals through the use of face

recognition software. Also, cell phones broadcasts an identification number to the closest antennas,

which allow the carrier to chart its customers. Due to the use of technology for security,

the government and the private companies joined its forces.

 

 

For me, I don't mind surveillance cameras in most places because they make me feel secure.

Surveillance cameras are required in most shopping malls; therefore, giving you freedom in walking

around the malls without holding your wallet very close to you. Even though these technologies

benefits us, I don't want the surveillance society to go out of the line.

When you think about it, the government has the access to everything. They could track anyone

they like, whenever they like. Think of the danger everyone would have when a certain

government official abuses his power.

 

 

Bibliography:

                              Penenberg, Adam. "Surveillance Society". WIRED. December 2001.

                              Global Positioning Satellites as surveillance devices. NOT BORED. 18 March 2007.

                                   <http://www.notbored.org/GPS.html>

                              Allen, Tim. "Mixed Signals". The Winchester Star. 13 Feb 2003. 18 March 2007.

                                   <http://www.winchesterstar.com/TheWinchesterStar/030213/Area_signals.asp>

                              Barnett, Gigi. "Security Cameras required in Shopping Malls". CBS Broadcasting Inc. 3 March 2007.

                                   18 March 2007. <http://wjz.com/local/local_story_062135145.html>