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Diana Campos
Peterson
Expos
31 May 2016
1984
Every second of every day we are under surveillance of some sort. We may not realize
because it may not be so evident but we are constantly being watched whether it be through
surveillance cameras or even by each other. In the book 1984 by George Orwell, the people of
Oceania are having their every move monitored by several types of surveillance and even by
each other. They do this in order to prevent any sort of crime that could go against Big Brother.
However, what defines a crime is much different than what we consider a crime in our own
society today. In relation to the use of the types of surveillance technology used in 1984, the
society that we live in today is in many ways similar. It may not be tomorrow that we turn into a
world of Big Brother but due to the similarities in surveillance technology used between the
Oceania and our own society, we do have the potential to become like it.
One of the most prominent ways that Big Brother is able to closely watch its citizens is
through the telescreen. Inside the flat a fruity voice was reading out a list of figures which had
something to do with the production of pig iron. The voice came from an oblong metal plaque
like a dulled mirror which formed part of the surface of the right hand wall. Winston turned a
switch and the voice sank somewhat, though the words were still distinguishable. The instrument
(the telescreen, it was called) could be dimmed, but there was no way of shutting it off
completely (Orwell 4). Through the telescreen, Big Brother is able to keep track of everyone's
moves, tune in to their conversations, and can even see if people are committing thoughtcrime by

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the type of facial expression they make at the telescreen. However, to the citizens watching the
telescreen, it is just a nonstop showing of propaganda. This relates to our own society because
we do have a similar type of surveillance everywhere we go and at almost all times. Todays
security cameras for example, can be seen as a comparison to the telescreens because they are in
many ways similar. They are almost everywhere we go when we leave our home and just like
the telescreens, they people behind them cause watch and hear us but we cannot see them. In the
article Long Beach police use 400 cameras citywide to fight crime by Richard Winton, it is
stated that in doing so It will help [us] to respond to crimes better and prevent other crimes
(McDonnell). Although the use of these cameras is in order to record crimes if one were to
happen and to try and minimize the amount of crimes committed that is exactly what the
telescreens in 1984 are used for.
In addition to the telescreens, the own people in Oceania are one of the biggest types of
surveillance used to keep a close eye on each others actions. The thought police are an example
of a group of people who make sure no one is committing a crime that would go against Big
Brother. If one were to do, say, or even think something that contradicts Big Brother, they would
turn them in and be vaporized. In their society, they have their own people going against each
other. In todays society we have a similar type of surveillance that includes citizens watching
and turning in their own citizens as well. Law enforcement such as police could be seen as
having many similarities to the thought police. Our local police that we have today are put out to
watch the people if they were to commit an illegal crime, small or large.
Another way we are constantly being watched in todays society is through our everyday
devices. This includes anything with a camera, a microphone, or just plane GPS. In the article
Thats No Phone. Thats My Tracker by Peter Maass and Megha Rajagopalan, they state that

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these devices are also taking note of what we buy, where and when we buy it, how much money
we have in the bank, whom we text and email, what Web sites we visit, how and where we
travel, what time we go to sleep and wake up and more. In the article is it also stated that
recently cellphone carriers responded 1.3 million times last year to law enforcement requests for
call data (Maass and Rajagopalan). Through our devices we are also now capable of sharing our
location wether this being through Facebook, Instagram, of even when searching up a local
restaurant our device will notify us that whatever site you're on would like to use your current
location. This makes it almost too easy for anyone to locate you. This is another step of
becoming into a society ruled by Big Brother because anyone can easily track you and what you
are doing, buying, and even who you're contacting throughout the day.
If Big Brother could really be watching us, we could only become successful in
overthrowing it by everyone working together to do so. We cant do anything alone even if we
wanted to, we need to all stick together. Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is a
progress; working together is success (Ford).
One could argue that all the types of surveillance that are in place today are being used
for the sole purpose of protecting the people by trying to keep crime to a minimum, that is
exactly what it is being used for as well in the society of 1984. Although the crimes and
punishment are to a different extent, the similarities are evident and there.