The year was supposed to be 1984 when the Government would be all encompassing, all knowing, seeing, and powerful. George Orwell’s book titled 1984 about a future society where the government is watching and in control forcing citizens into conformity has finally come true in the year 2007. The mantra of the book was control and conformity. If the government said 2+2=5, you would not question but accept it.
The personal home computer era began in the early 80′s with the introduction of the Commodore 32 computer which was basically a word processor. Then came the Commodore 64 computer with the advanced floppy disk. The computer at this point was still a glorified word processor and would have to wait patiently for technology to evolve enough before Orwells 1984 vision could be realized.
It wouldn’t be until a trilogy of technology evolved at the same time for Big Brother to begin watching us. The first element was Bill Gates of Microsoft and his revolutionary Windows operating system. The second element was more powerful computers enabling consumers to do more than simply word processing. The third element was of course the world wide web, the Internet.
These three elements allowed people to connect with each other like never before. With these new technologies, the personal computer era took off faster than the CB radio in the 1970′s. Tens of thousands of people were logging in and getting online each and every day. America Online, (AOL) started telling everyone that they had mail. Little did these unsuspecting consumers realize that information was being collected about them every time they turned on their computer. In time, that information built a profile of your internet usage and advertising was tailored to your distinct tastes. At first, you thought it cute and clever how the internet people were able to send you advertising you were interested in.
The evolution. Windows 3.1 turned into Windows 95 that turned into Windows 98 that turned into Windows 2000 and ME that turned into Windows XP, which turned into Vista. Computers powered up going from a 286 chip to a pentium IV powered by a three gig chip with dolby surround sound audio better than most home theater systems, video and DVD. The listening and monitoring devices also evolved and improved but rarely mentioned as the internet controllers kept these little secrets to themselves. Personal and business information was being gathered by the minute with every keystroke made. Life was good, 2+2 did not equal 5 and we could prove it on our computer generated calculators.
This brings us to the present. 2007. Like it or not, every keystroke you make is recorded. Every site you visit is recorded even if you erase your hard drive and cache. Your IP address is your personal thumb print and your surfing habits are being monitored. The fire walls and stealth programs you purchase really don’t work on the governments technology. The pop up ads you once thought were so cute are now so obnoxious that you buy software programs to block them. Still, you get pop up ads. Scumware and spyware install themselves on your computer without your knowledge or permission making it even more easy to spy and collect data on you.
The government is telling us that of 2+2=5 Some citizens are listening. Soon, very soon, the government will have total control. The government already knows what you are thinking, what you are planning to do, what TV programs you watch. They know all your dislikes and likes. They know if you are a good citizen or a bad citizen. The government has the ability to react quickly and put down a rebellion, or force you to pay that errant forgotten parking ticket. They know your innermost private thoughts and who you trust them to.
All your email and instant messaging services are a window to your soul. Privacy will be a thing of the past. Webcams will be the norm in every business, neighborhood, and home watching your every move, actually inviting the government to spy on you.
Big Brother IS watching you and me. Right Now! When we get up in the morning, go to work or school, eat dinner, watch TV, and even while we sleep. New laws are being passed assisting the government in their pursuit of weeding out the so-called bad guys. CAPS II, an airport information gathering network, has already been implemented and is currently scanning passengers and qualifying them as no risk, low risk, or high risk. Microsoft now controls over 95% of the computer software and operating systems. They have powerful stealth capabilities.
Big Brother has many names but they all ask the same question.
How much is 2+2?
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
