Free Essay

Little Brother Is Watching

In:

Submitted By ebullock
Words 571
Pages 3
Little Brother Is Watching

Eric Bullock

Eastern University

March 30, 2012

Author Note:

This paper was prepared for ENG 163 Rhetorical Patterns in Writing taught by Joan Hayes

In this day and age of technology people’s lives are always being scrutinized. For instance, “Eric Gall a freelance writer for the National Post and Queen’s Journal reports in his article Little Brother Is Watching that we have to always be discrete in our action if there is to be any level of privacy in a person’s life.” The primary focus of his exposé is on how in today’s world somebody is always scrutinizing and reporting our every move. This is sometimes done by video recording or the “taking of pictures by cell phone” and then being posted on the internet or “YouTube.”

The story is not only a revelation but also mind opening. The website YouTube is the main focus of this writing although there are many other venues (i.e. Facebook or Twitter) on the internet that can exploit privacy.

To some this may seem innocent, but others can find it to be disturbing and intrusive. Especially if an individual is caught doing something out of character. Some of reasons that this wonderful innovation can produce harm are, a person can be stalked, pictures can be altered and used to obtain a false identity, or you can simply be embarrassed.

In this particular writing it is brought to the reader’s attention that the founders of YouTube, Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karin had no idea they would be “bringing George Orwell’s 1984 novel “Dystopia to Life.” In this particular novel George Orwell expresses how the government is taking control of all aspects of our lives, such as, in a Totalitarian state. While this may not be the case with Little Brother the information highway otherwise known as the internet definitely begs for our attention. It is evident that pranksters and good meaning citizens can not only post fictitious videos (video out of context) on YouTube or the web they can also portray an individual’s true character. For example, “in late 2006, Michael Richards (Kramer), of the TV series Seinfield had a racist melt down” at a Los Angeles comedy club that was taped and placed on YouTube to be viewed by millions. This occurrence showed his true nature and humiliated him. On the other hand, social media can be productive and helpful. Musicians’ and actors can be discovered, crimes can be solved, and lost ones can be found throughout the world.

The “quest for attention by society has led us to forfeit the most basic right as human beings, and that is the right to privacy (Walter Kirn, October 15, 2010)”. The bottom line is that no matter how careful people are in their endeavors they need to keep in mind the point that Eric Gall is making in his story. That is we should always “be aware of who is watching us” at every corner we turn, building we go in and yes, even when we turn on our television sets and there isn’t anything that we can do about it.

Gall, E. (2011). Little Brother Is Watching. In L. B. Brandon, Paragraphs and Essays (pp. 144,145). Boston, MA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Kirn, Walter, October 15,2010, Little Brother Is Watching, New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/magazine/17FOB-WWLN-t.html?_r=1

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Personal Narrative: Unbroken

...because I remember one day in class my Social Studies teacher was discussing World War 2 and he had mentioned a really good movie based on it called Unbroken. So I had begun watching, it started off a little boring but as soon as the troops plane crashed in the ocean killing...

Words: 586 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

The View of War Between William Faulkner's "Two Soldiers" and E.E. Cummings "My Sweet Old Etcetera"

...Cummings’ “my sweet old etcetera” William Faulkner’s “Two Soldiers” and E.E. Cummings’ “my sweet old etcetera” are both written about the emotions involved during a war. “Two Soldiers” is about a person watching their loved one going to war and ‘my sweet old etcetera” is about a person who is on the front lines. While each story is a reflection on war, Faulkner’s is about the despair you feel in the trenches and Cummings is about the despair you feel while you watch someone go to the trenches. William Faulkner’s story “Two Soldiers” is a heart wrenching one about a little boy age eight watching his brother, Pete, go off to war for the first time. The story is told from the little brother’s point of view and we never learn of his name. The brothers are from a small town in Mississippi when they first hear on the radio about the bombings in Pearl Harbor. You can tell in the story that the mood of Pete changes with each radio broadcast. The little brother gets more and more concerned with what is bothering Pete. Pete does not want to talk about it. Pete tells his little brother that he has to go help out with the war. The little brother decides that he will go with him. Pete tries to explain to the little brother that he is too small to go to war. The little brother replies with, “I’ll chop the wood and tote the water for you-all then!” (289). He doesn’t quite understand why he cannot go with Pete. Pete’s mother is heartbroken and doesn’t want him to leave but understands...

Words: 882 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Dream Paper

...wishes. I remember my dream like I dreamed it last night. It was a cold and stormy September night. My cousin and I had just finished watching Friday the 13th and , and was lying in bed talking about boys of course I mean what teenage girl does talk about that, when all if a sudden the lights began to flicker on and off , and 5 minutes later they were off for good. That’s when things really began to get weird; the glass on the back door had shattered. We didn’t think much of it since, it had been storming all day and rocks and branches had been picked up by the wind and tossed against our windows, so we continued our conversation like nothing happened. “Bang Bang” two gun shots were fired and a frantic scream was coming from the living room/ hallway area. My cousin and I quickly hurried to our feet, and sprinted to the door where we poked our head out my bed room door to see what was going on. With our heads poked out my door we couldn’t help but notice my little brother laying there on the ground two bullet holes in his chest and blood gushing everywhere. I pushed my little cousin back into the room, where she stumbled over the DVD player that was lying on my bed room floor and closed the door. I ran into the hall way, scooped my brother up into my arms and just cried. I just sat there holding him asking why, why’d they have to shoot my brother, what’d he so badly enough for someone to want to take his life. I looked up because I heard footsteps coming towards me, to see 3 men...

Words: 1036 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Elements Of A Narrative Essay About The Beach

...Aviana Gonzalez 9/15/17 ELA /Writing The Beach Do you love/ like the beach? I love the beach, so does my grandma. We always go to the beach in Capitola. A couple of years ago we went to the Capitola and it was the best time of my life. Just me, my brother and my grandma went.My grandma bought me a really big shovel and she bought my brother a surfboard. After we got situated and we all went to do something. My brother went to go catch some waves, my grandma was watching the stuff and I was making a playing in the sand. When I was playing in the sand i made a sand castle. After I digde a hole all the way to “chinatown”.After I was done digging, I went to go eat. My grandma brought stuff to eat so we didn’t by anything. Well I was eating me and my grandma were watching my brother try to surf. It was really funny. We were laughing so hard we almost peed our pants. Then my brother came out of the water to eat. And I went back out to play....

Words: 458 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

The World Through a Child's Eyes

...that us adults overlook on a daily basis. The other day I was at a craft fair sitting at my table and directly over to my right there was a mother and her two children. I have seen them at previous craft fairs throughout the years and have enjoyed seeing these two children work hard with their mother to sell their duct tape creations. Sitting there I observed for quite a while the little girl who is around eight years old. She decided she would dress up for the occasion unlike her brother who was wearing sweat pants a t-shirt and crocs with fuzzy socks. The little girl wore a beautiful Christmas dress with black leggings and short boots with a homemade headband. She looked very nice and ready for the day. She was very helpful to setting up their tables. I first noticed that when they came in with their things they left her with their spot as the mother and son went to go get the rest of their things from the car. As she sat their she attempted to set up what looked like chairs or small tables but she had trouble figuring out how to properly set them up. She tried very hard but her brother, who is about 3 years older, came and helped her finish the job. Over the few...

Words: 1041 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

The Symbolism Of Fudge's Mistake

...This book is called tales of a fourth grade nothing.basically it’s about fudge and his brother trying to get everyone to see that he isn’t innocent. his big brother peter knows him all to well. and he wants everyone to find out the truth about fudge. This book is fictional Because it isn’t real this book is telling a lie. This setting takes place at this park on a swing set. his big brother named peter is in charge of watching his little brother fudge AKA- the mischieve maker. Fudge wonders off and get lost then he ends up getting hurt . his mother that left the kids and his big brother in charge of him then s panics and blames the kids for what she should have done. which was to watch fudge so she realized that it...

Words: 318 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Citi Quiz

...2016 Extra Credit La Bamba When watching the film La Bamba for the first time I really enjoyed it, but it wasn’t until I went back to re watch it a second time that I noticed the culturally significant scenes. The movie is about a young high school boy, Richard Steven Valenzuela who had a deep love for music and his beloved guitar. Through his struggles with money, family, love and culture, his career was born. When the movie first starts it shows Ritchie and his mother working with other people in what I assumed to be a peach plant, picking and packaging the peaches. What I didn’t notice the first time around is that they actually lived there with many other workers too. It reminded me of when slaves used to live a little ways from where their masters lived. That just shows how poor he and his family were but they didn’t seem to be affected by it until Ritchie’s brother stops by and tells them he’s buying them a house. The house was a huge step up from where they were living before but it is still a shack. In class we have seen many images of Mexican Americans living in poor neighborhoods with large families but they always appear to be content with what they have and that’s exactly how Ritchie and his family were. They value family more than material possessions. Another big thing that stuck out to me in this movie was the family units. Ritchie lived in the house with his mother and two little sisters and while outside his brother and his ex-girlfriend lived in a trailer...

Words: 670 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Big Brother Isn't Watching You Analyze

...Big Brother isn’t watching you The phrase “Big Brother is watching you” is from George Orwell’s novel 1984. The novel, which was published in 1949, gave a very frightening point of view on the so-called Big Brother society, where the surveillance on society would be huge. The British comedian Russell Brand has changed the phrase to: “Big Brother isn’t watching you” in comment of the then recent UK riots, where he thinks that there clearly is no one, who is watching or controlling the riots. Russell Brand, married to the world famous Katy Perry, is especially known for his role in Get him to the Greek, where his very distinctive British accent brought a smile to every viewer. His comment on the riots is definately in a different genre, where he, with some serious and some sarcastical statements, is trying to define why these riots are occurring. Russell is starting his comment by telling a bit about himself. When he was in his early twenties, he had been participating in various protest. This means that even though he is no longer in the “economic class”, he can still relate to the riots, since he has been part of other riots. This experience from his early life is making him come up with what the reason of the riot could be. When he lived back in London and took part in riots, it was because he felt he was in need for some meaning in his life. Some goal he could go for, or like a direction, he could follow. He is sure that most of the rioting people are having the same problems...

Words: 900 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Insanity In Stephen King's Why We Crave Horror Movies

...People will step outside of their comfort zone to view a horror film to prove that they are not afraid and to have a good time as it is a form of entertainment. Although a public lynching and a scary movie are not on the same level of intensity, even though horror movies are greatly exaggerated, they do you have similarities. They both bring in the insanity out in people. Whether it is the insanity of the actors telling the story in the film or the audience watching it, their minds share a connection with each other as Mr. King said “If we share a brotherhood with man that be also share the insanity of man” (paragraph 11) however there are different levels of insanity. Ordinary people might think of people who talk to their self mentally insane but then contradict and do it themselves making everyone a little crazy so it is only natural that horror films appeal to people. There...

Words: 658 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Reality Television

...Reality Television Summary This article is about reality television. Experts point out their opinions of what they think about reality TV and discuss why us people spend the time we spend on watching reality television shows such as; ”X-Factor”, ”Britain's got talent” and ”Big Brother”. In Elizabeth Days article she talks about “why reality TV works”. She talks about how everyone thought the end of Big Brother would be the END of reality shows. But our enthusiasm for Simon Cowell's prime-time talent search shows no sign of abating. Cowell has brought reality shows to a whole new level. Experts such as Beverley Skeggs say that reality shows makes us feel like we are a part of something. That people can connect with other people who have the same values and who behave the same way. That makes us viewers want to help and support the person we feel connected to. According to the Brand Driver Research which examines allure of reality television such as the “X-Factor” which is made to appeal to personal relationships and to make the viewers feel more bonded with the contestants and feel a part of an extended social network and part of a community. Nowadays people have started looking for more simple entertainment. The part that attracts viewers to “X-Factor” is the sense of control it gives us. Viewers have a power to vote for their favorite contestants, even though their lives are being shaped by government cutbacks, job losses and social deprivation. the fact that...

Words: 874 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Citizen's Absence Of Privacy In 1984 George Orwell

...1984 is not that strange to believe it could happen in 2018. In 1984 George Orwell creates a story where in Oceania, citizen’s absence of privacy, have very little control over their lives, and only get the information that the Party chooses to inform them. In Oceania they have these telescreens that cannot be turn off which is designed to capture every conversation between its people so the cannot break any rules. Today, is where the government is like the Big brother (or our national security) is where we are finding that they are involved in listening on phone messages. We are in a time where there is misinformation and fake news that has taken over the internet. Where Russia is involved with our systems in the United States. In contrast...

Words: 271 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

1984 Symbolism

...political message and to warn the future generations about dangerous societies watching over their people. Orwell created a fictional dystopia with a psychological and physical control over its people and the rebellious in the society who want a way out of the life they are living. Through the overflowing use of symbols such as Big Brother, Winston’s journal, glass paperweight, and doublethink Orwell is able to create a connection to the major themes in the novel...

Words: 858 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

1984

...2016  Dystopian Society in George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four  The citizens in Nineteen Eighty-Four live in a world polar opposite of perfect. They are constantly being watched and oppressed by big brother and the thought police. The citizens live an unorthodox life due to the totalitarian government. The theme of dystopia is evident in nineteen eighty-four because information, independent thought and freedom are restricted, a figurehead is worshipped by citizens, and they are under constant surveillance.   Firstly, Nineteen Eighty- Four emulates the theme of dystopia because information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted. The citizens in Oceania live in a world where they are not allowed to feel human emotions. They are constantly being watched by the thought police and are forced to live in constant fear. They must show that they are abiding Big Brothers orders constantly to avoid being annihilated. The citizens are blind to Big Brothers plans because all information from the past is erased and all information for the future is kept secret. The proles are the only people in their world who do not look up to Big Brother. Although they live in a lower class compared to the people in the party, the proles are able to do whatever they want because Big Brother does not control them. The people in the party may have a more secure home and Manojlovic 2 material items; however, the proles are free to experience love and affection from their families...

Words: 1182 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Baseball Narrative

...It was Friday night, at my brother's football game. The game was held under the glistening lights, so it was even colder because it was a night game. My birthday was just a few days ago, I turned six. I got a baseball glove, I love baseball. I was there watching my brother play football, he was a tight end on the Homer Stallions. My dad was coaching with a few other dads. He was wearing shorts, as usual, he never gets cold. It was freezing everyone else had blankets and heavy coats on. I was watching that game for a solid two quarters. But eventually, I started to get antsy. I wanted to get up, but I knew I would freeze to death. I asked my mom if I could go take a stroll with my friend Anthony. He is still one of my best friends to this day, he has decently long hair, same height as me, and loves baseball like me. We didn’t know what to do, so we ended up going to get our gloves to play some catch. I went to my car, a black Acura, to get my glove. I have a black, red, and silver Wilson. That’s our “go to” when we're bored out of our minds. We were playing catch for about twenty-five minutes, after that our arms felt like jello. We threw way too much and our arms started...

Words: 1079 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Effects of Mass Media Worksheet

...incorporated family time but it took the discussions afterward out of play. People started watching what was in front of them and not paying attention to the family that was in front of them. Communication ebbed and I think that is why our society is the way it is today. People have senses and with the radio, you used one sense, your hearing. Leaving the option for talking about what they were listening to and being able to communicate as a family. With the television, it took another sense. You have to use hearing and seeing leaving little room for talking about what you watching and listening to. People would watch and hear what the television was placing in front of them and would take it for what it was and say very little to the ones that were around them. I think, based on my grandmother that people would listen to the news, and see the pictures, people would take it for what it was and not question it. Although back then we did not have several ways of voicing our opinions as we do today. The developments in the evolution of mass media I think has hindered the way we think about what is placed in front of us. We are to believe what we see and to not question. | How did each development influence American culture? | The radio, the influence it had I think brought families closer. By the time the television came into play it started separating the families, people would rather spend their time watching that and not...

Words: 559 - Pages: 3