Now for anyone that reads my blog regularly this is not an unusual statement. I’m often confused. But it is through that confusion I use words to try and understand. Sometimes it works, sometimes not so much. What has me bamboozled this time? People.
I hear people complaining that the police aren’t doing enough. And then one police department comes up with an ingenious idea to catch people when they are texting while they drive. An officer rides the city bus and is able to look down into cars as he drives by. He then calls in the vehicle information. Gotcha! I think that is ingenious. People have become quite inventive at hiding their illegal activities. No, it is probably not stopping a murder or a sexual assault or even a terrorism attack but way too many people die from distracted driving.
No why would anyone be angry at the police for finding individuals committing an illegal activity? In one town the police tried to put up cameras at intersections to catch speeders. The uproar was incredible. Again, why? What are people doing that they don’t want others to know about? I have no issue with Big Brother watching me. If they can catch people doing illegal activities that put me at risk, I’m all for it. Watch away!
Nowadays everyone has a camera phone and way too many people like to take pictures of other people. Their concern is not the legality or even the morality of their picture. Rather it’s the YouTube value. That is so sad. Ever since the introduction of the Internet our sense of privacy has diminished significantly. There are cameras everywhere and most of them aren’t overseen by anyone or any laws. Well, laws that can be enforced.
In England, especially London, there are cameras everywhere controlled by the police. It is just amazing to watch how they can actually backtrack a criminal to his residence perhaps. Is it a perfect solution? Absolutely not! But as the criminal world becomes more inventive and as more supposedly law-abiding citizens try to circumvent the laws, perhaps that’s what we need.
Inside my apartment I have an expectation of privacy. Yes that camera on my computer does give me pause but I have the option to turn it off. When I’m on the street I’m in the public domain and while those that are charged with protecting me are not allowed to have all the tools at their fingertips, they do have some. I am also aware that any individual has the capability to film me without my knowing about it. That too gives me pause. Unfortunately I have no control over that. Just something to think about the next time you are in the public domain.
Butterfly Sand 
While I am not certain what is in the minds of the common person grackling about the cameras and cicil rights, I do know that for me it is about the powers that be at this point in history-WHO is watching and not the simple fact of surveillance, and that I do not feel there is objective justice prevalent in our country right now. If only they really were all trying to do good things with the technology I would be better about it. The criminals will always find ways to circumvent for it is their existence, their life’s purpose to decieve, 😞
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True, but I would rather err on the side of the law. They need the tools to do their job.
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I wish we could just call in and report dangerous drivers. Well, I actually wish my car had phasers, but… Nothing horrible, “target their engines Mr. Worf”
My new GPS has a dash cam. I save video snippets of really stupid stuff. I usually just share it with my wife. I shared it once on my blog, but those were incredibly stupid.
I’m all for creative police tactics. Stay ahead of the bad guys.
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I REALLY like the idea of phasers! And Worf to do my bidding? A girl can dream.
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Pity, isnât it?
Hope to see you tomorrow, Pam.
Love,
~ Jill ~
âPeace begins with a smileâ
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Unfortunately, yes.
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I don’t like the thought of being watched – I don’t even like those mirrors on ATMs! But it has become a way of life now. Neighbourhoods here that have installed cameras in various places have significantly reduced crime levels, so it does work.
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It’s the price we pay for the modern world. A price that is very high.
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Yes 😦
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Today, I’m afraid, privacy is but a perception.
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In our modern world, yes it’s true.
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They are starting to get serious about face recognition Pam, it won’t be long before you can’t get into a car and start it unless it recognises you, and then won’t take much software to cancel your mobile phone when the car starts and won’t come back on until your car engine is switched off again. And even block you from going over the speed limit by say 10% to stop the crazy speeders.
At this rate technology will be doing everything for us…may have to just mount us on a pole somewhere as everything is done around us. But I suppose by then we’ll have wings or instant transportation to mars or something to occupy us 😀
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In truth? I hope I’m not here. My idea of paradise is no electricity on a quiet lake with a mountain nearby. No people, no cities, no roads . . . sigh, paradise.
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Oh yes please…the bliss of that, a paradise indeed 😀
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The first time I learnt satellites monitor every thing happening in the world, I realised I wouldn’t have privacy even within the confines of my home or even under my own sweater, and it freaked me out so much that I spent days wandering around too scared to even face the mirror. Now, even though I’ve come to accept the truth, it still makes me uncomfortable.
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It’s the price we pay for our modern world.
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