Freedoms for Safety

The idea of Big Brother is scary and the idea of “being watched” exists in our own lives today. People invade our privacy more than we think. We can be looked up or seen in a variety of different places. Luckily, it isn’t as bad as having a Big Brother to listen in on our thoughts and see every little thing we do. It is, however, disturbing to know that internet websites hold information about a person without them putting it there. I think taking a little bit of our privacy away is fine, because it’s intended to keep us safe. There are cameras in stores and on street corners as witnesses to what goes on. It doesn’t bother me to have those cameras because I have nothing to hide. Other people, however, do and that’s not okay so the cameras come into use. I’d rather have the invasion of my privacy than to be in danger. Personally, I think the cameras and videos that are in public places are important. People that aren’t doing what they’re suppose to can easily be seen and tracked down. It’d be better to feel safe than sorry. In the novel, 1984, Big Brother is excessive and unnecessary. I don’t think it would be ok to have our privacy taken completely. Winston and Julia couldn’t even go anywhere to be “alone” and away from the telescreen. I don’t agree with that. People should be able to feel free and have their right to privacy. I don’t feel like my freedom is taken away because there are security cameras. I feel safer.

A common place people think their privacy is invaded in on Facebook. People can look you up, but it’s the person’s choice to display their page. I don’t think this would count as an invasion of privacy. If people don’t want their page to be seen, they can prevent it. The thing is, people don’t make their pages private and they’ll blame people for “creeping” on their page. Businesses are also able to look at people’s Facebooks if they’re open to the public, but they can’t blame them for doing it because it’s the persons fault for not making it private. Also, in airports, our privacy may be considered invaded but it’s only for the protection of us. If our privacy wasn’t invaded, then people could carry things on the plane and endanger other passengers on board. I don’t see anything wrong with our privacy being invaded a little to protect us. I do believe our privacy still exists. We aren’t viewed on a telescreen 24/7. The cameras or videos are only up in most public places. Our homes are completely private. I think, without protection people would worry more and feel unsafe. The cameras are, in a way, assuring because if something were to happen such as a crime or a motor vehicle accident, it can be monitored and hopefully corrected. I think we need an even balance for having our privacy invaded for our safety and total privacy.