On Tyrants & Tributes : Real World Lessons From The Hunger Games discussion
FROM THE PROFESSOR: Are We Smiling for the Cameras?
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Now this is very far over the line since we don't need a big brother who is watching. we have Obama to deal with.
Sometimes I think this is changing who we are, just because it seems everyone wants everybody to know what they are doing... and if its changing who we are isn't that the same thing as changing how we behave?I think this is both something we choose and a sign of control. It's something we choose because we are the ones on the social media sites, we are the ones buying phones with GPS features, and we are the ones posting selfies. I say it's also a sign of control because all of this information about you, even if it's a tiny little piece, is out their on the internet... and someone could use that to against you. Another thing that is a sign of control is what the NSA was (and probably still is) doing. They didn't tell us they were doing that, they even lied to congress about it. So, if our government doesn't trust us, granted it was clasified and they're doing it to potentially stop terrorist attacks (bread and circuses?) isn't that a sign of control/oppression?
I think that we are both the watched and the watchers. I say watchers because just look at how close we pay attention to actors, musicians, and other famous people. And I say watched because we post every single thing we do on the internet, our emails and phone calls are being monitored, and it seems everywhere you go there are security cameras.
I don't like that people know whats going on every day of our life, it gives to much information. There needs to be privacy.
I think it really does change how we behave. We kind of put on fake personalities to impress other people and that is changing us in a lot of ways. We are slowly growing to depend whole heartedly on social media and technology. We know that our privacy is at risk, but we do it anyway. Its our fault really for signing up for the deal.
I think this is changing who we are, just because it seems everyone wants everybody to know what they are doing,and if its changing who we are isn't that the same thing as changing how we behave?
People think that they are entitled to your image if you are out in public. Huffington Post ran an article a few weeks ago about bad behavior at weddings - people jumping up and blocking the paid photographer in order to get photos with their Smartphones or tablets and then getting mad at the photographer or venue staff when told to stop.Being in public doesn't mean that you should be subject to every camera in every pocket or store or corner.
I think that you watch and you get film a lot without knowing it most of the time. But for me it depends on what they use the picture or picture of me for.
I honestly don't think that the possible presence of CCTV characters much influences the way I act, personally. I'm usually not aware of them. I never feel I modify my behaviour for them. However, the extent to which they are used in the UK just seems excessive. Perhaps it is inefficient (not to mention creepy).
Another cause for concern is the tabs that governmental agencies keep on internet users. Shouldn't they restrict their monitoring to people who have broken the law or people or those who are reasonably (and I realize this term would require clarification) suspicious?
However, I do find it odd how much people are willing to share on social media sites. How phone settings lend to sharing locations online. It's making it easier to stalk people given the amount of information it's perfectly normal to put out online. I don't like how the default setting with social media sites, or sites with a social media component, is to share all information. Shouldn't the default be towards privacy? No one wants to feel that their lives are being evaluated by people they don't (or barely) know.
Another cause for concern is the tabs that governmental agencies keep on internet users. Shouldn't they restrict their monitoring to people who have broken the law or people or those who are reasonably (and I realize this term would require clarification) suspicious?
However, I do find it odd how much people are willing to share on social media sites. How phone settings lend to sharing locations online. It's making it easier to stalk people given the amount of information it's perfectly normal to put out online. I don't like how the default setting with social media sites, or sites with a social media component, is to share all information. Shouldn't the default be towards privacy? No one wants to feel that their lives are being evaluated by people they don't (or barely) know.
I think this changes some people. There was thread here on this class that asks our thoughts on what it would take for us to start contemplate revolution. If you think you are already contemplating it, or that you are close to, you run the risk of being singled out by the NSA or who knows who if you say you do. So you have to censor yourself. This is an example, again, of how the fear of being labled a terrorist keeps people in line, sort of like the fear some white people have of being labled as racist makes them bend over backwards for minorities.This is definitely a sign of oppression. The problem is, as mentioned in the book "101 Things to do Til the Revolution" written by I can't remember who, is that it's too late to fix things by working within the system, and is too late to just shoot the bastards (referring to corrupt government). So any action taken, even civil disobedience (can someone say raising three fingers?) is written off by the media as the actions of a crazy person and is handled by heavily-armed SWAT teams.
And while many people are probably making bad decisions when it comes to posting private conversation in public forums, or photos or videos on Facebook and Youtube, that makes it open to view for private citizens, it still doesn't, in my opinion, authorize the government to look at it in an investigative capacity. Why do we have to sacrifice ease of navigation for privacy with GPS? Since when was that the trade?
I think the choice vs. oppression dichotomy is pretty blurry--people definitely post an unwise amount of personal information online about themselves and then are angry when it comes back to bite them through the government or even private employers. Part of that is common sense. At the same time, the choice to have privacy is increasingly non-existent nowadays when nearly every major tech manufacturer has been persuaded by the government to program in backdoor software on their devices to enable your phone or laptops' microphone or camera to be turned on even when your phone looks like it is turned off. For this reason a lot of Fortune 500 CEOs in important business meetings will leave their phones outside or take the batteries out of them so that there's no way for them to be monitored.
While a lot of people in reaction to Snowden's NSA revelations said that the agency's activities came as no surprise and that we should have known they were occurring all along, I think the fact that they were going on and that the government was lying about them should be very disconcerting period, even if many of us suspected they were going on already.
Dannielle wrote: "Sometimes I think this is changing who we are, just because it seems everyone wants everybody to know what they are doing... and if its changing who we are isn't that the same thing as changing how..."I like Dannielle's reference to bread and circuses here- as I was reminded of the same concept while reading the prompt. However it's not a direct analogy. Rather than politicians providing bread and circuses to win the vote of the population the government is using a means of entertainment, created by the private sector, to its advantage and to increase its power.
It is similar in that we are choosing to surrender our privacy for entertainment, just like the population of Panam chose to surrender their political freedoms for circuses.
Regardless, that we are choosing to surrender our privacy, I don't believe that this means it is the role or right of the government to watch us.
I think its changes who we are in the sense that we are each reacting to a culture that encourages us to share everything online.
Looking at it generationally, absolutely we've changed our behavior. My mother's generation wouldn't announce a pregnancy until after the first trimester in case they miscarried. Now people are announcing within the first month, complete with photo of their peed-on test stick. Don't get me started on the miscarriage imagery. I wonder if the next generation will even understand the concept of privacy? Their lives have been documented online since they were still in the womb. Because of this trend to overshare, a lot of people adopt the mindset that it's ok for our government to collect that information because they have nothing to hide.
The town I live in isn't actually that big (less than 75,000 people within 50km radius) so we don't have CCTV cameras up on every street corner. We still have them in banks, mcdonalds, some other businesses here and there but not on the street.However, whenever I travel to one of Australia's capital cities, the cameras are everywhere, on every street corner, in every building, it's quite distressing walking down the street in Sydney or Brisbane.
Phones and even the car GPS system worries me.
I just think to myself, if somebody wanted to find me, they could do it in minutes. Even though i'm guilty of no crimes, free speech or speaking out for freedom and liberty could be against the law in the future, and in which case my daily facebook posts about liberty and freedom would probably get me arrested, the surveillance just makes it easier for the state to find me.
Wow! This is a GREAT QUESTION! It really gets you thinking. As when we choose to upload something or put ourselves out there to the world being true to ourselves I don't see nothing wrong with it. I want people to know who I am and who I stand for just like a truly passionate leader. The government and police powers have the tendency to get out of hand with it from what I learned in which it also crosses with business. I am aware that bankers run prisons and profit off of the drug war, as to making money off of all this. There is people uprising everywhere though. Liberty is in our blood. It must just be unlocked. But to answer this question I would say its more of a bad thing than a good thing. It kind of makes me feel paranoid all these cameras every where. There is a documentary called Look about camera's that came out some time ago. I mean the government and police forces should have no right to do what they do. It is a way to study peoples behaviors and habits to try to better control the masses I will not argue. I don't know how many petitions I signed against all this increased surveillance and acts to take over the internet. That worries me. Its not only government, but corporations too. It all coincides. We our both I will say and it does impede our personal liberty I believe. Bottom line is our privacy needs to be respected!
Tyler wrote: "I think the choice vs. oppression dichotomy is pretty blurry--people definitely post an unwise amount of personal information online about themselves and then are angry when it comes back to bite t..."Wow that is interesting Tyler what those in the Fortune 500 companies do. I didn't know, but I become aware of the government being able to spy on you even when you think your devices are turned off.
Man there is so many other movies that address this. One I can think of is A Scanner Darkly. It also stars Woody Harrelson in it too along with Keanu Reeves of the Matrix. So many movies have so many meanings and messages. Just thought you should know. There is one special person who tried to wake people up in the film, but they are too drugged by the system.
Dannielle wrote: "Sometimes I think this is changing who we are, just because it seems everyone wants everybody to know what they are doing... and if its changing who we are isn't that the same thing as changing how..."Dannielle you are so right on! I agree a lot with this answer.
Ruth wrote: "I honestly don't think that the possible presence of CCTV characters much influences the way I act, personally. I'm usually not aware of them. I never feel I modify my behaviour for them. However, ..."I agree with that!
Matty wrote: "The town I live in isn't actually that big (less than 75,000 people within 50km radius) so we don't have CCTV cameras up on every street corner. We still have them in banks, mcdonalds, some other b..."Good thought. Yeah really! That is what happened in the Hunger Games. Liberty was definitely outlawed and any signs of it would be taken as a threat such as by Katniss's father which is probably why the mining scenario was set up
People act differently when watched. Children misbehave as soon as Mom isn't looking, or at least see how much they can get away with. Employees slackk off when the boss isn't around. People need to have a place (home?) where they are free to be themselves yet, tho, the bible calls us to hold each other accountable for our actions lest we fall into sin. We are to check on each other daily; invading privacy 24/7 is a bit extreme.Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Gal 6:1-2
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. Ecc 4:9
Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:12
We're totally changing the way we act to look better in case anyone is watching. I always liked the saying, "Don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to hear." Good or bad, we always change to adapt to society; it's part of evolution. Citizens merely respond to external stimuli in a way which best suits their survival.
It is very apparent that we are being watched everyday of our lives, and it is changing how we react. Even when we are at home thinking that we are safe, we are being watched there too. When we're at home, working on the computer, the government is monitoring us on the internet paying attention to what we say and do whether it is an innocent post on Facebook or a tweet on twitter. We can all be located by one touch of a button, and that his pretty scary.
I look at the behaviors when people speed as the best example of when people watch your behaviors. When you have no person on the road and you have to go some place in a certain time frame, most people would speed in order to get to that place in the time frame that they wanted to go to. Now lets put a cop somewhere on the side of the road where that person could see the cop. Usually, if the person speeding don't wants a citation, they would slow down for the cop in order to not get a citation. Now lets say that the person knows that the particular road is known for cops hiding someplace near the road. The person would do the same thing and slow down since they know that the area is known for cops trying to catch people speeding. With surveillance in mind, it definitely changes ones behavior and if you do the same with watching people without people knowing about it and let it out later, it changes how people secure their things so that people could do whatever it takes to not be watched. Privacy is an important thing and if you try to look into a person looking at porn, drinking at home alone, rocking out with their cocks out or something, it will change their behaviors now since they have an audience or a person that they didn't want to show what they were doing. It is same as harassment. What we are living in now is a surveillance state after the revelations of Edward Snowden confirming so. This under minds people's liberty for the sheer thing that they cant do what they want without some person harassing them and even worse, possible prosecution for doing bad behaviors.
”Those who give up their liberty for more security neither deserve liberty nor security.”Ben Franklin
Governments have convince us we need more security, there are terrorist groups, assassins, robbers and unlimited amount of bad people that wants to harm us.
We get use to new rules, we line up in the airport, some smile to cameras, some people watch their neighbour in case (they could be criminals).
I think we get use because it's not done just at once. It's done step by step, every day we lose a bit of our liberty but if you compare 1970's with these days it can be scary how private and deep are they going into our freedom.
I think this is definitely something that relates to the "Real or Not Real" theme in the books. How much of how present ourselves is real, or authentic?
I think in the world we live in it takes a tremendous amount of self-awareness and thought to remain real and authentic, especially in social media contexts.
I have found it easier to not participate myself and just read/look at what others post. It makes me sad because I'm sure I could contribute in a positive way. I do think that nobody needs to know where I am and what I am doing all of the time, though. I think there is an intangible value to keeping a sense of privacy. Is it just an illusion, I wonder.
I think there is a great value to social media but figuring out how to make it "real" is exhausting.
We're more so being watched because of the whole NSA problem. Every electronic thing we do is being motored which is not good for individual liberty. Are civil liberties are under threat because of this practice. The longer it's allowed to expand the worse it will become.
One of the challenges Katniss must wrestle with in The Hunger Games is knowing what is authentic in a world where the Capitol is always watching. Even in District 12, she is constantly aware not only of what she says but also of the very expression on her face. In the Arena, she plays out the romance with Peeta to engage the audience and win sponsors. At times she's left wondering who she really is, or who she's becoming, because she has altered her behavior constantly due to the surveillance under which she lives and breathes.
Are we living for the cameras? There's a host of new research about how the expectation that we are (or could be) constantly monitored, photographed, and filmed affects how we behave.
According to the Guardian, there's 1 CCTV camera for every 32 people in the UK, and according to WalesOnline, police figures show that closed-circuit cameras are filming people on average 70 times a day (with about 1.85 million cameras on the UK’s streets). And of course traditional CCTV cameras aren't the only cameras around: there are various forms of facial recognition technology, flying 'drone' CCTV planes and multiple ways to track individuals across distances.
And of course the person next to you might be filming or photographing you on his/her phone.
Is this changing who we are? How we behave? How we know what's authentic?
And is this a sign of control/oppression -- or is it something we choose? After all, we today have unprecedented online presences. Citizens choose to post selfies and upload films of themselves to YouTube and conduct personal conversations via means that are known not to be private. We buy smartphones with GPS features that announce our location to the world. So we must not really want privacy, huh?
What are your thoughts? Are we the watched, the watchers, or both? And what does this mean for individual liberty?