Critical Inquiry: 1984 and the power of CCTV

Required Reading: (n) a mandatory book to study in highschool. Perferably written by someone really old, about something really old. Must utilize dry language and miniscule font.

 

 If you had to ask any highschooler what required reading was, most would answer something along the lines displayed above.

 

Well, not me... I'm a nerd. But that's besides the point.

 

There is a classic book that most of us read...

Or, SparkNoted for that matter.

 

The book?

1984 by George Orwell

 

I actually remember reading it, doodling in my notebook, thinking

"Yeah... this is never going to happen"

 

I had just recieved my first cell phone, and it had "predictable text" which I thought was the coolest thing ever. It really wasn't.

However, little did I know how far technology would go so fast.

 

We've talked about it in class several times, and I wonder...

 

 

HOW CLOSE ARE WE TO BEING 1984?

IS THERE ANYTHING TODAY THAT COMPARES TO BIG BROTHER?

(By Big Brother I am not referring to the TV show on CBS where people exchange saliva constantly)

 

 

The example I will be using?

 

LONDON

Which is ironically the town in which

1984 takes place.

 

 

 

• The city of London is known as the "most spied on city" in the world
 
• The city of London is reported to have more CCTV (video cameras) than another other city per capita at an estimated 2 million CCTV's.
 
• A group has formed called "Big Brother Watch" that is concerned that security has been taken too far.
 
• A new anti-terrorist spy plan can pry into emails or phone calls where the CCTV cannot reach

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE "REAL BIG BROTHER" IN LONDON

 

 

It's creepy, isn't it?

 

It won't be long....

"BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING"

-George Orwell

 

 

 





MEDIA: STOP, COLLABORATE, AND LISTEN.

Ahhh, Media...

We absorb it.

Society relies on it.

Celebrities complain about it.

 

It's everywhere!!!

 

Thanks to the media,

we recieve intelligent tweets from our favorite celebrities!

 

 

 

 

We can post pictures of how attractive we are for our friends to see!

 

 

 

We can make jokes about an unfortunate school picture!

 

 

We use media everyday!

(Some of us more seriously than others...)

 

RIGHT NOW,

I want to hightlight the effect of media as a FOE.

Here are some PRIME examples of how media has caught people in their WORST moments!

 

1. JIM MORA  - Not a bad idea for Coors Light advertising to turn this bad coaching rant into a great commercial.

 

 

2. MISS SOUTH CAROLINA - This blonde beauty manages to absolutely destroy any chance of sounding intelligent, using "such as" approximately 8493745 times.



 

3. SARAH PALIN - It doesn't matter what political party you're from, this answer during her interview will be something she never outlives.

 

 

They say that the media are here to stay.

I'm happy.

Without the media, we would have nothing to laugh at!









 

TED - Aimee Mullins

Aimee Mullins and her 12 pairs of legs

I absolutely loved listening to this speaker, actress, and model. She was truly inspirational.

She talked about disabilites and how people are trained to look away from her legs. However, Aimee challenged that. In fact, she DARED people to look at her legs. She wanted to people to not only accept her...but her legs too. They were truly part of her.

To this date, Aimee has 12 different pairs of legs. She owns some fleshy life-like legs, wooden ones (which she wore in a fashion show and everyone thought they were just wooden boots), and ones with black heels that add 6 inches to her frame - making her stand at 6'1" tall!

She feels that with every change of legs, she changes her avatar a little. Her legs provide for her an almost super-hero feel. Each pair has a different superpower - whether it was sex appeal or beauty or athleticism.

She is an speaker. She is an actress. She is a model. She is an activist. She is a rolemodel. She is a superhero. She is all of these things... but she is not disabled.


"I mean, people -- Pamela Anderson has more prosthetic in her body than I do.Nobody calls her disabled." - Aimee Mullins


Check it out at: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/aimee_mullins_prosthetic_aesthetics.html

RiggedByRob (with comentary by TheElleWay)

"We live in a great time to be weird about what you like."
(True, which is why I am open about my obsession with Shamu.)

"I like to combine words together like its german or something."
(Don't we all? Isn't that how JK Rowling got rich? I mean, Hufflepuff? Really? That's gotta be german.)

"I like to cry: I think it's a good release."
(Yes...my grandma says this. and my aunt. and my mom. and my communication professor? Why not.)

"I'm trying to be revolutionary here..."
(Nothing more revolutionary then onesies. I tell you that right now.)

"Who is for the legalization of marijuana? Who is against it? Who's baked right now?"
(Weed = bad. Legalization = bad. Asking students about being high: funny.)

"I don't care what Chiquita says about her bananas! I like cheese pizza!"
(I believe Chiquita just got shut down. Insert cymbal crash here!)

"You're lucky you don't look like how you do in the mirror..."
(Moral of story? Mirrors lie. Just look at what it did in Shrek.)

"I wasn't gonna eat the baby."
(I don't remember the conversation. But I hope to God it wasn't based on a true story.)

"I don't believe in being a jerk."
(Me neither. Does anybody?)

"How can I be a 21st Century teacher when the Flinstones made my computer?"
(Fred Flinstone called. He wants his computer back.)

"Even the Canadians think we're idiots...And they're CANADIAN!!"
(I seriously think the Canadians are plotting to take over the world. I bet Celine Dion is leading that pack.)

"I don't like those "Guess how many jellybeans are in the jar things." In fact, they should be guessing how many jellybeans I want! If you guessed "one handful of jellybeans", you are correct!!!"
(If you guessed that I want you to bring jellybeans to the final, you are also correct.)

"There is a koala infestation in my apartment."
(Monthly rent: $850   Monthly food costs: $350    Housing a koala farm: Priceless)

My Pefect Day - SAVE THE WHALES!

Nope. I'm not eco-friendly. Not even close. 

There are three plastic Gatorade bottles in the bottom of my garbage bin. 

And it will stay that way. 

So, why save the whales? Isn't that ecofriendly?

Well, I should really specify... 

I don't mean all whales. 

Geez... that just made me sound like the Satan of Orcas. 

Free Willy is probably cursing me right this very second. 

The truth is,

I JUST WANT TO FREE SHAMUS!

(and will do that on my perfect day)

Start of the day: Arrive at Seaworld. 

(The Florida one, because Californians will eat me alive because of my lack of concern for the environment.)

Upon my arrival, I am one step closer to my goal:

Operation Orca Freedom!

O.O.F.!

(O.O.F. is also the sound I will make attempting to lift one of these babies out of the water.)

Second: I buy (or steal, whichever is easiest) one of those wetsuits that the SHAMU trainers wear.
You know, those black and white ones?
That they wear to disguise themselves as orcas?
They aren't fooling anyone.
They just looking like skinny-smiling-Orca-Snacks.
(However, I need one to look legit)

I'd shimmy into that Shamu costume and make my way to the grandstand.
Then, I would follow the trainers to the Secret-SHAMU-Station where they prepare for shows.
O.O.F is near!
As soon as the Shamus entered the large tank, I would too!
(But they'd know I'm not a foe - because like Dory, I can speak whale)

To the suprise of the audience, a helicopter holding a giant net arrives overhead!
I am behind this plot so I spring out of the tank:
"MUAHAHAHAHAHA!!"
As I cackle, the net scoops up all the SHAMUS and takes them to the ocean!
Operation Orca Freedom is complete!

"ASK NOT WHAT SHAMU CAN DO YOU FOR YOU,
BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR SHAMU"

10,000 dollars in 48 hours!

If I had $10,000 to spend in 48 hours,

I'd start by building two very tall towers.

60 feet apart, and 40 feet high,

looking like a ladder right up to the sky.

420 steps take you to the top,

When you see the balloons - you know to stop.

Next, I'd build a big square pool,

Rising straight from the ground: transparent and cool!

Then, I'd fill it with a zillion plastic balls,

Look at the colors through the see-through walls!

From each tower to the pool would be a slide,

Go down the loop-de-loop and enjoy the ride!

The slides are curvy and steep and grand,

and elevators will be built by popular demand!

Just ride it up and slide on down,

The ball pit won't let you hit the ground!

This is how I'd spend my money and time,

If you'd like to try it: get in line!

MY TEN FAVORITE THINGS

1. CHIPS AND SALSA - Goes together like detectives and trenchcoats... A match made in heaven.

  

 2. RACCOONS - So what if they're vicious? You'd be the coolest kid on the block if you had one.

3. CAT SHOWS GONE WRONG - if cat shows themselves weren't enough of a joke, add a kitten on    rampage and an oblivious crowd.

4. EXTRA CHEESY PIZZA LUNCHABLES - food in a box > food on a stick. It's just common knowledge... Catch on, State Fair.

 

 5. MUSTACHES -  Studies show that people with mustaches are 86% are thinner, more charismatic and more likely to get a promotion. Okay, so I made that up.... but it sounds legit.

^

6. FUNKY FRESH SENIOR CHOIR. - Rap + Old People + classics like "Hey Ya" = A musical masterpiece.

7. RON WEASLEY - He was a ginger before gingers were cool...He's like a pioneer for all redheads.

8. REAL MEN OF GENIUS - A Salute to "Mr. 80 SPF Sunscreen Wearer"...Laughs by Budweiser for drinkers and nondrinkers alike.

9. DANIEL RUETTIGER - The ultimate underdog and a  human shrine for sport lovers. I'd marry him in a second if he wasn't 73...

10. "BAHAMAS PAJAMAS" - my favorite song from my childhood. (Don't watch the video, just listen. The fake music video ruins the moment.)