surveillance culture

Being part of today's communication technology generation, it is easy for one to discern that we are becoming a "surveillance culture" (Cameron). Robins and Webster state how we are experiencing "a second Industrial Revolution," in the sense that technology is shaping the way we produce and market among consumers using the industry we have established. The way surveillance applies to our industry and corporate ventures is through the use of "effective computer communications systems to handle financial transactions, directives and co-ordination." Robins and Webster state how "Information is the key to economic growth and productivity." The way our information is controlled and managed that breeds economic growth is seen through our advertising in our technologies such as the internet, radio, couriers, and TV -- all accessible anymore to people throughout the world. Other accessible forms of surveillance include satellites, street/store cameras, airport security systems, radar guns, and police scanners.
That accessibility is also a reason why our culture is a "surveillance culture," and how mediums distribute the information of politicians and celebrities. Yet, when Reality TV entered the picture, according to our readings, it opened the door to the extent that people could conduct their own reality online and make non-celebrity information to be accessible. Reality TV shows how a person who is not considered a candidate for entertainment industry, can become a popular character on the reality show since part of an audience can identify with that person. Youtube and Metacafe come to mind, that offer ways people can disclose themselves through video to a larger audience, therefore supporting economic surveillance and monitoring.
The article "We Googled You" shows how our younger generation are more concerned with self-image and information popularity as opposed to a much older generation that is less concerned. The online video from this case study expressed how some people who google a potential dating partner and do not have information from their search are more turned off. It seems that if you aren't online, you don't fit in. I think it also fits the notion that people want to survey you and watch you, because of the conditioning of online profiles, blogging, and personal video among the younger generation.