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The topic of Big Brother had been in existence for at least 3 deacades past. It has it's support lend by authors with an imagination for a future world, conspiracy theorist, religious fanatics, and these days there are Radio Talk show host who have it as a continuing topic.
What kind of an individual would fit the description to work in a role supporting Big Brother or Government Watch on it's citizens?
Dont it make you wonder the state of mind of individuals working in such employment?
Could they be A. Paranoid
B. Perfectionist
C. Righteous (questionable frame of reference)
D. Desiring to work in law enforcement
E. Having a high opinion of themselves
F. They feel they are doing society a good
G. Tech savy with a peeping Tom behaviour
This area of human behaviour could be worth spending some money on by Non Government Organizations.
Cheers.
Light of Night.
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H. Hungry, need a job, skill set meets the job description. Sometimes the obvious is the most devious.  Seriously, what has this to do with Science and Technology?
"Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits." - Satchel Paige
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Yes leonAzul, this mass-controling big brother technology should be discussed under "knowledge and culture" as for it's social and cultural aspects.
*It's wonderful to know that all languages are Greek if not understood.*
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You could argue this is basic psychology, which would make it scientific.
It is interesting, especially thinking of 20th century history - the role of ordinary people in watching and reporting on their fellow citizens. I am not talking about watching 'enemies' (Jews, communists, dissidents, whatever) - but the population as a whole.
No-one grew up in the Soviet bloc, or fascist countries, with the dream of being Big Brother to their own people, but millions did. They watched, and made up false accusations to justify quotas or look good, and sent people to their deaths. Did the very act of watching lead them to lose their humanity, their own identity?
I saw a German film about this a couple of years ago- a common, ordinary man doing surveillance for the East German Stasi, and how it dehumanised him and his colleagues. I can't remember the name. Interesting stuff, though.
edit - I have googled the film -Das Leben der Anderen - The lives of others.
I am sure there must be similar works in other countries with that question in their pasts (or in their present, although I imagine those works are a lot harder to write or publish!)
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The Stanford Prison Experiment, while no shining example of good scientific methodology, or analysis, does I feel bear on this issue
Question authority, before it questions you. How do you know, that you know, what you know?
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Shades of Stanley Milgram. I thought he employed volunteers and was subsequently sued for damages (or is this an urban myth?). The students used at Stanford might have had to write a strong disclaimer but could still have a case for distress caused. The link does suggest that people are moulded by their occupation. Interesting link.
"Millions long for immortality who don't know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon" Suzanne Ertz
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how about - the recent phenomenon of reality tv shows of pathetic wannabe-famous losers, sitting around in Big Brother houses around the world trying to be outrageous and hence become 'famous for being famous' while millions (?) watch and discuss them, is the one of the most empty and degraded forms of entertainment society has ever produced
...or, an intriguing application of modern technology to the observation of human behaviour and the role of observation and perception....- discuss Seeing what his words mean now, would George Orwell by amused, appalled, or both?  (you may percieve my bias creeping in to the questions!  )
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The big-brothers are called "bhai" and supporters are called "bhai log" here, espacially in the urban Karachi. Taliban works exactly on the same patern. The difference is that both are extremes of eachother. Bhai log are basically a westernised liberal but ethnic group and for a decade, they are "tasked" to takle the talibanised religious extremism with the use of weapon beside to keep the ethnic fireworks.
In this context people would have to choose from one of the extremes. And thus, the real modern liberals would be discouraged.
The retired armymen and their circles remains a little hope, as for their influance in our culture.
*It's wonderful to know that all languages are Greek if not understood.*
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Huxley and Orwell spoke to the dangers of such in their literature, so did some of the enlightenment writers. It's been exemplified in recent history by extremist institutions of government, especially fascism, national socialism, socialism and communism and some theocratic or religious governments. Usually one sees such behavior by those who lean towards the extreme radical left or right in the traditional perspective of political arenas. Not to be confused with a more modern perspective of the Political Compass and their test. I think that anyone who enjoys the role of being 'Big Brother' is most likely a sociopathic narcissistic personality with obsessive compulsive disorder centered around: lack of sense of shame, lack of empathy, lack of sense of justice, an inablility to treat others with dignity and respect, an insatiable hunger for power and control, underlying traits of fear and paranoia especially in regards to dissenting opinions, intolerence toward other peoples differing values and beliefs, and taking personal pleasure and gratification in controlling and harming others. For example, the German Nazis and Italian Fascists during 1920s to mid 1940s and the eastern European and Asian totalitarianist regimes during the early to late 20th century; as well as several governments, organizations, criminal enterprises, and individuals who still exist today. Some roman emperors come to mind too, as do many dictators and monarchs throughout history. The most disturbing aspect is that they tend to rationalize their sociopathic attitudes, actions and behavior by regarding themselves as entitled and justified. Most people with such character traits tend to come to a very bad end one way or another. What do you think will happen when the US Government declares organized crime a threat to national security? Enter the special operations death squads to your streets and neighborhoods?
Forgiving is Love, Love is For Giving.
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Again, the dialogue from Taxi Driver:
Travis: I just wanna go out...and really--I really wanna--I got some bad ideas in my head. I just--
Wizard: Look at it this way. A man takes a job, you know? And that job - I mean, like that - That becomes what he is. You know, like - You do a thing and that's what you are. Like I've been a cabbie for thirteen years. Ten years at night. I still don't own my own cab. You know why? Because I don't want to. That must be what I want. To be on the night shift drivin' somebody else's cab. You understand? I mean, you become - You get a job, you become the job. One guy lives in Brooklyn. One guy lives in Sutton Place. You got a lawyer. Another guy's a doctor. Another guy dies. Another guy gets well. People are born, y'know? I envy you, your youth. Go on, get laid, get drunk. Do anything. You got no choice, anyway. I mean, we're all fucked. More or less, ya know.
Travis Bickle: I don't know. That's about the dumbest thing I ever heard.
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pedro wrote:Shades of Stanley Milgram. I thought he employed volunteers and was subsequently sued for damages (or is this an urban myth?). The students used at Stanford might have had to write a strong disclaimer but could still have a case for distress caused. The link does suggest that people are moulded by their occupation. Interesting link. Hi pedro,
They were volunteers. Both the 'prisoners' and the 'guards' were students. There was inadequate oversight, however and experimental design was less than good.
There is also the 'experiment' (not rigorous) of Jane Elliott (Wikipedia), who divided her elementary school class into blue-eyed, 'superior' children and brown-eyed 'inferior' children.
'Big Brother', discrimination based on various unrelated traits, and 'them' vs. 'us' all seem to be driven in large part by what appears to be an innate desire to be a part of the 'in crowd'. At some point in our prehistory and carrying into history, membership was probably life and death. This would, of course, select for individuals with a strong drive for inclusion. Whether this is biologically-based (I suspect at least in part) or social training or (most likely) a combination, the effect certainly exists.
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"...the recent phenomenon of reality tv shows of pathetic wannabe-famous losers, sitting around in Big Brother houses around the world trying to be outrageous and hence become 'famous for being famous' while millions (?) watch and discuss them, is the one of the most empty and degraded forms of entertainment society has ever produced
...or, an intriguing application of modern technology to the observation of human behaviour and the role of observation and perception...." thar.
Sounds a bit like Modern Art.
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RuthP
Thanks for the comments and the link. I hadn't heard of Jane Eliott- interesting read.
"Millions long for immortality who don't know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon" Suzanne Ertz
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nowherenothere wrote:[..] an insatiable hunger for power and control [..] Tony Montana wrote:In this country, you gotta make the money first. Then when you get the money, you get the power. Then when you get the power, then you get the women. Code:http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086250/quotes ;P [/offtopic] =)
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