That thought terrified me when I read it in George Orwell's "1984." The eye displayed on the front cover creeped me out, while adequately representing Orwell's statement. Orwell's society was one where everyone was under complete surveillance. Not only were their actions controlled, but their thoughts were monitored as well. But the people of Orwell's world were loyal to Big Brother, being brainwashed into feeling genuine love for him. Its a frightening thought, but have we actually created the world Orwell was predicting?
In 2000, CBS came out with their first season of "Big Brother," which was based off the concept of the constant-surveillance society in Orwell's book. Each season, 13 house guests come together and live in front of the cameras for the world to see. They participate in competitions to win food, money and power -- and the world can watch it all. The show airs three days a week, and there are webcams throughout the house so particularly interested viewers can watch the "action" 24/7. You can literally watch every house guest's every move. The only place the cameras are not allowed is the bathroom. This situation doesn't sound as sinister as Orwell's book described, because the viewers have essentially become "Big Brother" himself. We feel safer because we are not the ones being watched, but the ones watching.
In a study done in the Journal of Consumer Research, participants explained the appeal of the show to them. The thought of what the house guests were up to off camera was the main reason viewers came back for more. (This was until they added the webcam feature; "Off camera" is no longer an option.) But some people admitted that "Big Brother" was too real, and didn't provide the riveting entertainment they wanted.
I felt it was fitting to write about "Big Brother," since I just watched the finale of the 12th season (which my favorite house guest won). But I am starting to question whether "Big Brother," is simply mindless entertainment, or a sign of something more sinister as Orwell alluded to 61 years ago?
I think that its a predictable illusion that definitely means more then coincidence... The Big Brother seasons are definitely an invasion of privacy and can easily take control- but what are we taking control over?
ReplyDeleteThe idea of this really creeps me out. I would never sign up to be watched by the world. What is the appeal of that? Though I think our society has become more like what Orwell wrote about, I hope it will never go to that extreme. That would be the end of truly living.
ReplyDeleteThis is really interesting. I never would have thought to compare Big Brother with 1984 but it sounds like thats where the idea of the show comes from. It's creepy that we volunteer to live in a society that enjoys watching each other's every move.
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