1984 Blog Post

Ellie Hood 

1984 Blog Post 

Orwell’s vision of the telescreen which invades his home has become a reality- but only slightly. By no means does smart home technology such as Google Home or Amazon Alexa serve the same purpose as a telescreen. Orwell was correct in his prediction of the development of a smart home technology. However, the accuracy of his prediction ends there. One inaccuracy is that Orwell predicts that the telescreen will be required by the government to be present in every household. Smart home technology that exists today is entirely optional. Another inaccuracy is that smart home technology will be constantly monitored by members of the government with the purpose of keeping people from doing anything that expresses free will. The government does not constantly monitor our every move in our houses. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, smart homes encourage free thought- as opposed to the telescreen which punishes people for it. 

If my devices were constantly watching me and listening to me, I wouldn’t change my behavior at all, because I have nothing to hide. I know that the government has access to basically all of my data but that doesn’t concern me one bit. Now, if I were a criminal I would worry, but I’m not, so I really don’t care. What I’m worried about is my cyber security. I’m afraid of hackers stealing my money and my identity- not the government listening to me screaming Taylor Swift songs at the top of my lungs, watching me do my homework for 10 hours a day, or monitoring my excessive Postmates orders from Orange Sushi. 

In all honesty I’m glad that we are slightly monitored, it makes me feel safer. As I mentioned before, I am not a criminal so I have nothing to worry about. However, for those who commit terrorist acts, theft, murder, etc. I am glad that technology monitoring can stop them before they commit violent acts or hold them accountable for such. 

I absolutely would give up my privacy for the security and safety of our country. As I mentioned before, the government will not punish citizens for doing things that are legal and do not pose a threat to the health and safety of others. As long as your actions do not harm others or yourself the government has no reason to punish you. I believe we should be monitored by the government in public settings to ensure our country’s safety, to protect against murders and terrorist acts such as the Boston Marathon, but not in the privacy of our own homes.