Summary/Strong Response #1

First Article

Rooney, Tonya. 2012. Trusting Children: How do surveillance technologies alter a child’s experience of trust, risk, and responsibility. 344-355. http://www.surveillance-and-society.org | ISSN: 1477-7487

The purpose of this article was to identify the effects that surveillance and  its technologies can have on children and their ability to trust. From infancy onward they are constantly in a state of trusting their surroundings, loved ones, and themselves, and  in order to develop that trust over time there needs to be a sense of respect and independence for the child as his or her own “human agent”. “So, when we talk of ‘trusting’ children, it is helpful to consider an expanded notion of trust with two key dimensions: the notion of trust as relying on others for a certain benefit or non-harm to the person doing the trusting; and, trust as a positive expression of confidence in the child.” (Rooney, 2012, 348).  The ability to trust during childhood is a vital component of developing as an adult. While there is always the want, as a parent, to be in control and watch over our children via drug testing, CCTV camera’s, baby monitor’s, tracking devices, etc, there has to be a sense of freedom and individuality for trust to grow, and the self sufficing independence to be trusted to do the right thing.

I chose this article because while I am not a parent, it makes me think of my younger sister whom I frequently stress and worry about, but constantly have to remind myself to trust her in her decisions. My parents raised me to have my own independence and make my own decisions, and that trust proved to be the most powerful tool in not only making the right decisions, but also to maintain an open and honest relationship with my family.  I agree with the majority of this article, that technology modifies a child’s ability to live life freely, with the guidance, not constant surveillance of a parent.

Second Article

Marks, Peter. Imagining Surveillance: Utopian Visions and Surveillance Studies”. 222-239. http://www.surveillance-and-society.org | ISSN: 1477-7487

This article focused on the use of three films and a novel to depict a utopian society, and how surveillance causes dystopia among it. The films Gattaca, The Truman Show, Code 46, and the novel The Traveller are examined thoroughly in the sense that they are at the root, what would be considered the dynamic of a utopian society. The problem with each and every text presented is that within those societies there are faults, due to surveillance, that ultimately cause the characters within the society to rebel, reject, and resist the surveillance that is thrusted upon them. The importance of this being that at the surface society seems well fitted and organized, but when you dig down into the heart of the society, the people, there is dissonance among them. “Utopian texts have a shelf-life well beyond their initial appearance. Collectively they offer us a vivid and informative history of surveillance concerns and predictions over the centuries.” (Marks, 2005, 225).  The films taking place in both the present, as well as the future, offer insight into potential societal issues that may arise with the rise, use, and abuse of surveillance.

I found this article interesting because it expanded on the chapter that I researched for the presentation; it highlighted some of the key films that were used in the chapter. I do agree with the rise of surveillance causing dissonance among societies. I think to implicate that a society is to be completely watched over at all times, with or without their knowledge, or to be controlled by surveillance in the efforts of perfecting a society, will ultimately lead to chaos among people.