In this novel, Big Brother is the government. However, unlike our current American structure, the government in 1984 controls everything. There is no consumerism, there don't seem to be any corporations (except for maybe Victory which is a government brand) , there is no voting. Literally all freedoms of the people have been eradicated. One does not have privacy, legally. Common people must keep their televisions on in their one bedroom abodes all the time, and as seen in the movie are not aloud to conspire intimately.
The question concerning whether we have lost our rights to privacy brings to mind rights to partnership between any gender which I believe we have mostly overcome and the Patriot Act. By 1970, approx. 22 states had struck down all sodomy laws, or in other words a law that deems any type of sexual act illegal. Not until 2003 had the 14 remaining states who still had sodomy laws at that time repealed the law. Up until the 1960's it was illegal for a a citizen to commit a homosexual act in any state. Nowadays, there is no punishment for sexual acts of the type, however if a homosexual couple gets legally married in one state and move to a state that does not recognize their marriage, they cannot get a divorce, or observe the same benefits marries couples do. This just seems outrageous. I understand there is legal proceeding for all laws, and that bureaucracy advances slower than the societal opinion however the article in the second link brings up a very good point. The use of marijuana within a private residence can also be viewed as a right to privacy, however the debate of its legality seems rocky. I understand that one should be able to do what they want within their own homes (as long as it isn't detrimental to others) however the effects of marijuana are largely unknown and could potentially wreak havoc if treated improperly.
The Patriot Act can be seen as an even more direct similarity between Oswell's Big Brother. Good intentions are there but I see too much room for misuse and maltreatment. There is a very thin line between protecting the good of the people and committing unconstitutional acts concerning our citizens privacy. I know this shouldn't be of concern, but I won't keep my web cam on the top of my computer when it's not in use (haha) It gives me peace of mind. I personally wouldn't want this type of activity going on if I had the choice. We deserve to be treated innocent until probable cause warrants further search.
Privacy does exist, at least in the United States. There are certain aspects of our society that question the integrity of our privacy, but for the most part we experience freedom to choose our action in almost all spectrum of life. At least....as far as we can tell...
I think it's interesting that you add "as far as we can tell" on to your statement about our freedom of choice. Is it not possible that we, like Mr. Parsons, are so brainwashed that we hold our government actions up as justifiable? The government which controls us now is all we ever have known, so we don't challenge the ideals, we just accept them. Isn't it possible to that to someone, years from now, our story would sound similar in some of the same fundamental ways as that of Winston?
ReplyDeleteI think having a camera in my house watching me at all times would just freak me out. I would even try to cover it just so it wouldn't watch me. I totally understand why you don't keep your web cam on top of your computer when you're not using it. I do the same thing. Feels like its still on when its not. Back on topic I think privacy does exist but like I said in my blog I think with certain ways we don't have much privacy. I also like your last sentence. I think as far as most of us can tell, some of us say that the government can tap into our phones and watch us from satellites. . .makes me wonder what else the government is capable of that we don't know about.
ReplyDeleteI agree that we do have privacy for the most part, however do we really realize how much the government is capable. I think of that to, what if the government is watching us more than we think they are watching us?
ReplyDeleteI do acknowledge the fact that we do have limitations on our freedom. There are things that we cannot do or we will receive consequences. But at least we have freedom of speech, as opposed to the characters in the novel. They are not allowed to say anything bad about "big brother" or else there is a consequence of death, in the United States you can say whatever you want about the president (unless however there are plans of assassination).
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