“Sometimes I Feel Like Somebody’s Watchin’ Me!” (’1984′ not as far in the past as we might think)While George Orwell’s 1984 was set in the future, it’s not so far from where we are today. In the introduction to Ubiquitous Surveillance, it is stated that Londoners must expect to be seen by one camera per every 12 citizen of their English countryside. With video cameras in almost every location (and on every phone now) it would be extremely difficult to find someone that has not had their picture taken. Google maps and other map video websites not only can show you a 360 degree view of almost anywhere in the world it can also give you live surveillance of select places. They know what you had for breakfast, if you’re in English 303.

     Not only are websites and apps showing ones location but there are many items that display location also. Think about the GPS tracking chips inside of your beloved smartphone which never leaves the palm of your hand. Forget about mom knowing when you snuck out of the house in high school- the government, your “big brother,” knows absolutely everything. Twitter lets others know exactly what I’m doing when I tweet and I even have the option of adding my location. Unchecked, surveillance of Twitter, Facebook, and other social tools could lead to some pretty scary things. If you’re trying to plan some kind of heist, you should probably just keep it in your head. Assassination? Don’t mention it. Conspiracy? Don’t even think about texting your partner in crime. Cheating on your boyfriend whose mother is a computer genius? I wouldn’t text your lover. Many of these tracking devices are used for good such as a key tracker if you loose you keys you know where to find them. A child tracker is used in the case that a child is lost they can be found soon. Technology is great for keeping us informed….and also for informing others on us.

After reading this article, I almost don’t want to use the Internet again.  Since phones, computers, and any object that can access the Internet can be tracked, the world of today seems to be a conspiracy theorist’s nightmare. Everyone is always being watched by millions of people. If we “wanna get away” the world will find us if we like it or not.

Carolyn Elise Cowgill

Benjamin Lee Scott

Matthew Stephen Ceo