Watching You Watching Me

Sasha Mora
Social Control
#4

This article was found in the New York Times. It discussed how People in Britain were concerned and even paranoid about the increase in technology concerning privacy. This article referred to a very popular communication internet source, facebook, when discussing the alarming amount of information that people give out knowing and unknowingly on the internet. Facebook has faced many lawsuits concerning people who have felt violated. Facebook, much like google has the ability to document things about individuals that can be used to the benefit of the media as well as the government. Information off this popular site benefits the media by showing what types of styles are popular or simply what types of things individuals are purchasing. People share a lot of information on these sites, informing people what they are currently doing, showing pictures and expressing their relationship status.
Another topic brought up in this article was the use of surveillance in neighborhoods. I believe this could have a positive effect if it is used for security purposes. However, it does make me, as well as those in the article, wonder how far the extent of watching others will and can go. It is amazing to think of the possibilities surveillance can have on society. The ultimate question is how much control is necessary for a society.
I feel this relates to our social control class because this topic is about individuals questioning how much social control is necessary. It discusses both benefits and negative aspects of surveillance which is strong use of control.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/opinion/04iht-edchristensen.html?pagewanted=1&sq=social%20control&st=cse&scp=1