Big Nanny Is Watching
Wedgie picking in the UK just got harder
April 4, 2007
1:45 PM -- Mary Poppins meets Big Brother.
BBC reports on the latest technological innovation in the U.K. that is sure to keep the streets free from litter... and probably people, too:
"Talking" CCTV cameras that tell off people dropping litter or committing anti-social behaviour are to be extended to 20 areas across England.
They are already used in Middlesbrough where people seen misbehaving can be told to stop via a loudspeaker, controlled by control centre staff.
Something tells me these CCTV cameras will begin to exhibit traits of a schoolyard bully: "Hey you with the bad teeth -- pick up that gum from the sidewalk -- now chew it! Chew it and jump up and down and say 'CCTV camera is king of the world!' Punk..."
Local councillor Barry Coppinger says the scheme has prevented fights and criminal damage and cut litter levels.
But opponent and campaigner Steve Hills said: "Apart from being absurd, I think it's rather sad that we should have faceless cameras barking at us on orders from who? Who sets these cameras up?"
Presumably, the faceless.
A recent study by the government's privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioner, warned that Britain was becoming a "surveillance society".
What? How do you figure?
— Red "Orwell" Panda, Light Reading
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