Voyerism

The readings and short clip that were assigned for this next blog under normal circumstances wouldn't interest me as much. But last week I viewed a film called Zeitgeist, which explores government manipulation and control specifically by means of electronic media. In "the long history of the information revolution" there were many arguments that I found to be relevant to the voyeurism argument. In my opinion the authors are hitting the nail directly on the head; the technological revolution, which was a public forum, has no become of corporate entity that produces propaganda in order to keep its subordinates afraid. I don't believe ever again will developing technology be viewed as historical developments but rather as a gateway for the introduction of a new matrix which with simply further political and cultural ideologies. With that being said, Andrejevic work simply furthers this notion. We are living in a society that embraces voyeurism and thoroughly enjoys the invasion of privacy. (Exemplified by reality TV), should we not be surprised that our government is any different? Though our government's goals are so skewed that it would be easier to look for Jimmy Hoffa then to tackle the problems of our current "policed" state. The next article though not as extreme, still shows the effects of what ill call TIP (technological invasion of privacy), can have on an individual. Privacy even on a local level is non-existence, which brings me to the final clip "Big Brother". I whole heartedly agree that the monitoring of civilians by a government body shouldn't just be considered immoral; we should be scared for our lives. With increasing technological surveillance not only do we lose our freedoms, we are also loosing the ability to speak out against a rising totalitarian government. In summation I’ll conclude my post by examining 9/11 in the format of a commercial. The government wants complete power in observation over its citizens? Well you have to persuade the masses that it’s in their best interest. Firstly you must gain the attention of the audience (the world trade center attack), secondly you must hold their attention (chasing Osama & Hussein in the Middle East), and next you have to create a need for the product (Threat of domestic terrorism). Next you have to introduce a product that can solve the problem (the Patriot Act). Finally you have to use an advertising appeal to sustain the generated feeling (in case an emotional appeal through televised speeches). The use of manipulation by introducing fear into the masses is terrorism, and our government has championed this philosophy for years. High time we open our eyes and get educated, or else we are going to get the proverbial shaft by our leaders.