Juliet Baptista, G11, Psychology 409b, Spring 1999
M
y Oral Presentation #3 (Extra credit)
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THE TRANSPARENT SOCIETY:Will Technology Force Us to Choose Between Privacy and Freedom?
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Table of Contents *****
SUMMARY OF PRESENTATION
My oral presentation concerned the "privacy" issue, and the site can be found at:
http://www.zdnet.com/bookstore/. This site discusses a book entitled, "The Transparent Society" written by David Brin, Ph.D. and summarizes each chapter of the book. I liked the introduction because it described a scenario of two cities 10-20 years from now. The difference between the two cities is that in city number one, "?cameras report their urban scenes straight to Police Central?(p.3)", and in city number two, "These devices do not report to the secret police (p.3)". However, both cities are similar in that they both have tiny cameras everywhere that observes everything in open view. The site also talks about how "the future has arrived" in Britain, Scotland, the United Kingdom, and how it appears to be taking off in North America. In addition, the site describes various technological surveillance schemes, such as "Kindercam, nannycam, triangulation techniques, and pilotless drones". The most important points emphasized in this site is how it is too late to prevent the invasion of these surveillance cameras and databases, how these devices get smaller and harder to detect, and cheaper. Many people are concerned about the long run impediment, which is the invasion of people?s privacy. What will happen to our right to privacy now?
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
**The following questions were asked by my fellow classmates:
From my knowledge, there are laws for invasion of privacy. I don?t know how strict they are, though. I feel that we are slowly losing our right to privacy with the advancement of surveillance technology. For further comments, refer to the section on "My Reactions".
I feel that technology allows both. Overall, I feel that technology offers society way more advantages than disadvantages. In relation to the information from this site, I feel that the environment eventually becomes safer as a result of surveillance cameras everywhere. I feel that crimes will decrease. However, there is much to be said about the negative side of the concept. You?re every move is seen no matter where you go, and many feel that they no longer have privacy.
Yes, I agree that there should be cameras in the workplace, especially where other sources of security might not be enough. Like I mentioned, I think that warehouses, factories, and store rooms should have cameras. I hardly consider the work place private anymore. Aside from being watched by cameras, I?ve been in job settings where people like to gossip about other people?s lives.
Yes, I support the use of cameras, only if it it?s for the purpose of monitoring productivity in the workplace and to promote safety.
?Wai Chong Pun
I wouldn?t say œevery? place because bathroom stalls I feel should be private, if not anywhere else. Dressing rooms also should be camera-free. There should be a line that is drawn in regards to the surveillance cameras and where they should and shouldn?t be placed.
That?s a good point: company owners have the right to place cameras wherever they want to in the work place. Like I stated however, there are places (bathroom stalls) that should not have to be monitored. I definitely feel that cameras affect employees? privacy. I don?t see the purpose in having cameras in bathroom stalls.
MY REACTION
Some very good comments and questions were brought up during discussion. I was asked what I thought about camera surveillance at the workplace. I think that surveillance should be placed in factories, warehouses, etc., but not so much in an office setting. Dr. James had a good point about companies have the right to place these cameras wherever they feel they need/want to. Personally, I don?t agree with that. Where does that leave our right to privacy? Candra stated that "the word œprivacy? will become extinct". I agree with her. I feel that this wouldn?t happen if surveillance systems wouldn?t be misused.
SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
Some good advice for future generations would be to further expand on my comments on this site. Also, to make comparisons with current advances to technology to the two cities described in this site. Possibilities are endless, and I can see things described in this book actually happening way into the future, maybe even within the next 10 years.
NAVIGATION TABLE