In the 20th century, many artists, writers, and political commentators had interesting, imaginative, and specific visions of the future. One particular prediction that has wowed audiences for generations is the idea of a state of mass surveillance. In 1960, an artist by the name of Arthur Radebaugh drew a comic that was reflective of this theme. As it is aptly titled, the “All-Seeing Eye Police Department” depicts police officers at a futuristic precinct, as they monitor several screens showcasing live CCTV camera footage (Novak). In the middle of the comic, the dispatch police officer is standing at his workstation. He appears to be pointing at one of the screens and giving an order – perhaps he is witnessing a crime in progress and he
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Ideas of safety as a basic human right were very important, but nobody wanted to risk their own privacy or their civil liberties in order to achieve that goal. According to Matt Novak, in the 1960s, people believed that the government would soon be “keeping tabs on [everyone] with video cameras on every street corner” (Novak). Ultimately, it has been determined that, while the surveillance techniques through CCTV cameras suggested by Radebaugh do exist, they are not as widespread as he suggested in his comic. As well, Radebaugh’s vision ignored the possibility of new or alternative technologies that in today’s day. Wiretaps, as well as the monitoring of modern electronic devices has been extremely useful for law enforcement departments in tracking down suspects before crimes are even committed. Finally, the reality of surveillance techniques in police departments of the developed world is one that is significantly less dismal and unregulated than Radebaugh’s vision. The world would be a more crime-ridden place in Radebaugh’s vision, and there would be a significant burden on the citizens’ from being watched all of the time. Meanwhile, the real world is safer through the use of new and alternative technologies, and this added safety does not come at the cost of people’s rights to
Ideas of safety as a basic human right were very important, but nobody wanted to risk their own privacy or their civil liberties in order to achieve that goal. According to Matt Novak, in the 1960s, people believed that the government would soon be “keeping tabs on [everyone] with video cameras on every street corner” (Novak). Ultimately, it has been determined that, while the surveillance techniques through CCTV cameras suggested by Radebaugh do exist, they are not as widespread as he suggested in his comic. As well, Radebaugh’s vision ignored the possibility of new or alternative technologies that in today’s day. Wiretaps, as well as the monitoring of modern electronic devices has been extremely useful for law enforcement departments in tracking down suspects before crimes are even committed. Finally, the reality of surveillance techniques in police departments of the developed world is one that is significantly less dismal and unregulated than Radebaugh’s vision. The world would be a more crime-ridden place in Radebaugh’s vision, and there would be a significant burden on the citizens’ from being watched all of the time. Meanwhile, the real world is safer through the use of new and alternative technologies, and this added safety does not come at the cost of people’s rights to