
Many years ago, I used to see surveillance cameras that were installed in supermarkets, convenience stores, and department stores, as a deterrent to various crimes (such as 'shoplifting' and 'cash register robberies'), and got used to the concept behind it. But then, I began to hear about similar cameras being installed in the most unlikeliest of places, such as movie theater concession stands!
British comedian Jasper Carrott observed this state-of-the-art phenomenon and expostulated: "I can't believe that cinemas would install ten-thousand pounds of cameras and equipment, just to guard forty quid worth of Smarties!"
And even though it's been many years since the original concept from George Orwell's classic novel "1984", the future is finally here. Today, surveillance cameras are everywhere, including a majority of street corners in major cities - as a deterrent to motor vehicle violations (especially from folks who run red lights and make illegal U-turns). In fact, I can see those cameras from my back porch, as they're perched atop the utility poles of a nearby intersection (on the other side of a two-story condo building near my building).
And, of course, there are now also cameras on 'smart phones' and other mobile devices - thus giving us even less privacy than ever before. I'm actually afraid to leave my home these days...
That said, I couldn't think of a better T-shirt message (for my latest "Front & Back" comic) than this variation of the classic line from "1984"... "Big Brother is watching." See if you agree with me...
British comedian Jasper Carrott observed this state-of-the-art phenomenon and expostulated: "I can't believe that cinemas would install ten-thousand pounds of cameras and equipment, just to guard forty quid worth of Smarties!"
And even though it's been many years since the original concept from George Orwell's classic novel "1984", the future is finally here. Today, surveillance cameras are everywhere, including a majority of street corners in major cities - as a deterrent to motor vehicle violations (especially from folks who run red lights and make illegal U-turns). In fact, I can see those cameras from my back porch, as they're perched atop the utility poles of a nearby intersection (on the other side of a two-story condo building near my building).
And, of course, there are now also cameras on 'smart phones' and other mobile devices - thus giving us even less privacy than ever before. I'm actually afraid to leave my home these days...
That said, I couldn't think of a better T-shirt message (for my latest "Front & Back" comic) than this variation of the classic line from "1984"... "Big Brother is watching." See if you agree with me...
Category Artwork (Traditional) / Comics
Species Housecat
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File Size 86.9 kB
Oh, I can tell you stories about places that deserve to have a surveillance camera - such as this Western Beef market (formerly a Gouz Rhymes with Cows diary store) in Elmont, NY - where customers constantly make illegal left turns - at the rightmost exit - to leave the area (instead of using the traffic light intersection in the middle of the parking lot). The 'twist of lime' to this story is, said rightmost exit is located adjacent to the Elmont Police Department!!!
The only people who dislike the cameras are criminals. Have you ever been a victim of a crime and have those cameras lead to the arrest of the criminal? The phycological trauma of knowing your attacker is out there is far worse than being afraid someone is watching you pick your noise when no-one is looking.
1984 is easily the second scariest book I've every read, and frightfully realistic in terms of theme and prediction. Oceania is where we might well be headed, and you're right in that Big Brother is rapidly becoming a reality. Worse yet is the segment of the novel depicting Goldstien's book, which is being used as an instruction manual by many politicians. Scary stuff!
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