Chinese officials, however, have boasted that their new skill in sifting through information allows them to prevent the personal and societal damage that comes from crime.
Never mind the personal and societal damage that comes from living in an oppressive Orwellian dystopia.
I’d like to think that too, but sadly I don’t think the government is afraid of that. Most Americans are too content being entertained by their preferred kind of media and cheap food, or too busy trying to survive, to stage a major uprising. There is a small minority of people who might try, but if they decide to go full police state they can just kill or imprison them. I’ve seen that happen before. People will be outraged the first time it happens, but then it will become normal, just like the surveillance.
Never mind the personal and societal damage that comes from living in an oppressive Orwellian dystopia.
I'm sorry, it's not clear which country's surveillance tactics you were referring to.
Ah, of course. But here at least the government still seems ashamed enough of it to try to hide it.
Come to think of it, I don't know what's worse.
I don't think it's shame. I think it's fear of torches and pitchforks.
I’d like to think that too, but sadly I don’t think the government is afraid of that. Most Americans are too content being entertained by their preferred kind of media and cheap food, or too busy trying to survive, to stage a major uprising. There is a small minority of people who might try, but if they decide to go full police state they can just kill or imprison them. I’ve seen that happen before. People will be outraged the first time it happens, but then it will become normal, just like the surveillance.
You mean something like simultaneous militarized police raids on political protests across fourteen American cities?
Panem et Circenses. And when that doesn’t work, SWATenses.