Steve Mann

Steve Mann’s Reflectionism and Diffusionism presents some really interesting concepts and challenges the use of surveillance by companies to video patrons. I found his article very interesting and the concept of videoing those who video others as a great tool to show the reveal just how much we, as citizens, are knowingly and unknowingly are recorded by video each day. This made me think about whether or not it is really that bad to be video taped, especially in the areas Mann describes such as department stores and other places that might be susceptible to theft. The quotes on the first page of the article present both sides of the surveillance argument. Thomas Jefferson’s quote reads, “Those who desire to give up Freedom in order to gain Security, will not have, nor do they deserve, either one”, while John Fitzgerald states, “There is no place for the privacy factor when public safety is concerned.” I can’t help but agree with what is stated many times in the article, that being “if you’re not doing anything wrong, then why do you care if you are being videoed.” This presents the argument of an one’s civil rights, but if you’re shopping in a store then should the store not be able to video tape someone shopping there. Obviously the majority of these cameras are used to catch shoplifters in the act. I don’t find that this is an inappropriate use of video surveillance nor do I believe that it oversteps the privacy of the patron. Surveillance for the sake of crime prevention leads me to believe that, while perhaps not absolutely necessary, it is not something that should be of major concern to the average honest consumer. I do, however, believe that it may lead to a slippery slope of constant surveillance that is not necessary. Some of the concepts that Mann refers to in his article seem absolutely absurd, such as a camera being built into the consol of the television so that the cable company can monitor what is being viewed by those watching it. The home that someone watches TV in is a private space and I don’t believe that what someone watches on TV should be monitored by placing a camera in the living room. I think that it would be a bit odd to be constantly taped in public, such as the surveillance experiment in Baltimore, if I remember correctly, but again something that should not be of great concern to the average law abiding citizen going about his day passing by the cameras.