I remember years ago when I worked at a cable system office, some elderly folks calling to ask if we could see them through their television sets. I used to get a real chuckle out of that. The idea that they actually thought we were monitoring their actions through their LCD screen seemed absurd. Now I'm right there with them, wondering if the folks at Bic can see me through the tip of my pen or if the employees at Gap are laughing when they review the tape from the monitoring device they may have placed in my new "sexy boot cut" jeans. ("What's she doing in those?")
Every action is now one that can potentially embarrass us. If we look ridiculous in something we are trying on at the mall, there's a surveillance camera for that. If we are adjusting our undergarments, there's someone nearby with a flip video for that. If we make a funny face, there's a cell phone camera for that. For everything else, there's YouTube.
People take pictures of everything and anything. They record video of everything and anything. And uploading pictures and videos to the Web has become America's favorite pastime (Sorry, A-Rod). In this age, no one is safe from the amateur videographer who decides you will be the star of their new production. Your consent is irrelevant; just ask Britney Spears or more recently, Maria Shriver. TMZ makes a lot of coin because of the technology that makes celebrity-watching child's play.
Think about it: You can sit at home and pull up views from cameras along major freeways, watch animals frolicking at a zoo or take a virtual ride on your favorite roller coaster. When you are out, you are being recorded as you buy that candy bar at the local convenience store, fill up your gas tank or pick your teeth while withdrawing cash at the ATM.
The other day, I was sitting at a red light and realized that there are cameras mounted there, too. I had the sudden urge to get out of my car and stage an impromptu performance of Lady Gaga's "Just Dance." I didn't have a wig or a sequined pair of short shorts, so I let the opportunity pass and simply waved and smiled. I then realized that I forgot to put my seat belt on and I was gabbing away on my cell phone. Good thing I drew attention to myself.
The point is we are not safe anywhere. Or perhaps we are even safer. I mean, when it comes to catching criminals, these tapes have proven to be useful law enforcement tools, but at what price?
And now this: A recent Associated Press report discusses the recent decision of authorities to mount 165 surveillance cameras around the quiet, predominantly Amish community of Lancaster, Pa., to keep watch over residents around the clock. The tapes will be monitored by ordinary citizens between 18 and 24 hours per day. The cameras sit atop utility poles and at businesses, and they are peering down on the folks riding in their horses and buggies in residential areas.
This gives a whole new meaning to the adage "the world's a stage." I mean, really, we can watch old episodes of "John and Kate Plus 8" if we want to peer into the uninteresting personal lives of average people. And we all know how that ends.
It's just starting to get a little creepy. Not only are we constantly watched, but we can be tracked via our cell phone usage, our GPS devices and the Web sites we visit. And yet, we are still constantly bombarded with information on privacy policies. What privacy?
If someone is interested, they can find out how much you owe on your home, who your first crush was and what store you frequent to buy your underwear. Let me save you some time: way more than we should, Tim from the third grade and Victoria's Secret. Who really cares all that much?
So now we know what it's like to live like a celebrity, under the unforgiving lens of a powerful microscope. The only difference is they get paid big bucks to be carefully scrutinized and ridiculed. We just get sent a link to an amateur Facebook video someone posted of us during a hazy moment at the company holiday party. Hardly seems fair.
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Sue Tabb is a public relations professional and freelance writer who lives in Newburyport. Find out more about her family adventures at www.breadandbutterproject.com.¬
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