1984 Influence On Modern Society

In George Orwell’s 1984, he depicts a dystopian world that is best known as a perfect society. In order to keep issues throughout the society in align, surveillance take place all day and night. As the Party controls every aspect in 1984, the government of our nation controls our daily lives. Not only does surveillance control the citizens of Oceiana, but it has also come to evolve in today’s society.
Today, people constantly carry around cell phones or other forms of devices that allow them to connect with others electronically. While being connected to others in an instant is beneficial, there are far more problems that arouse because of this. As Cole states, “Our cellphones constantly apprise the phone company of where we are, and whom we are talking to and/or texting.” Because of this, it is a scare factor to citizens to know that they can be “watched” at any time along with their privacy. While this is true in today’s world, the Party in 1984 has taken

it to an extreme, causing surveillance to be a fear of their citizens as well. In Oceaina, the Party implements a system of spies to watch over their citizens. Orwell states, “The Party uses children to keep tabs on their parents. This causes their parents to become afraid.” This shows that the Party will go through whatever it takes to have surveillance amongst citizens.
As time has progressed over years, means of transportation has evolved allowing people to have vehicles of their own.

With the excessive amount of people driving today, the government has implemented traffic cameras. Although they are meant to enforce laws on highways, they capable of doing much more. “These cameras are meant to take pictures of license plates” says Zuckerman, but what people don’t know is “The cameras are capable of zooming into nearby places along the road.” Eventhough this is an illegal, citizens will never know because it is a government based industry. In similarity, those in charge in 1984 take control with actions that are similar. Whole the citizens in 1984 are constantly watched through telescreens, there are other forms of surveillance as well. In Oceiana, police watch over their citizens and “have patrols of surveillance helicopters that fly around peering into homes through windows” (Orwell 15). No matter where one goes, they can always be found due to high aspects of

surveillance.
As surveillance increases, people become more aware of their surroundings. According to Roche, “when someone is being watched, they are most likely to go along with the actions of the rest the crowd.” By following others, they adhering to expectations common in that particular place. Although one may think they are doing right by following another, it could cause suspiciousness. In 1984, it is essential that all citizens are the same in every aspect. If one tries to go against the grain. “the tension inside of one can be liable to translate itself into some visible symptom” (Orwell 64). The Party is always on high alert when it comes to watching the aspects of their citizens as a whole.
In conclusion, surveillance will always be a factor of every day life whether it is for good or bad. “Our country has evolved to the point where everything can be monitored and controlled” states partners of the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Not only does this occur within the US, but in 1984 as well. As for the citizens of Oceiana, they are always aware that “BIG BROHER IS WATCHING YOU” (Orwell 5).