Wow!! You've created a very believable dystopian, near-future scenario here. The invention of terms such as Saf-Cam, Descender, Thumm-pad, the signs on the cameras: "Keeping You Safe" , "Are You Well?" all help to set the scene as a depressing, everyday reality.
"If you are not breaking the law, you have nothing to worry about." This is the language that leads us down a slippery slope.
Thought provoking piece Sharron, and very impressive change of genre for you.
Jun 21, 2023·edited Jun 21, 2023Liked by Sharron Bassano
China is the No 1 surveillance state in the world. How they actually do it is a state secret... but the stories emerging from that vast country are often blood-curdling... cameras EVERYWHERE and they can actually "see" inside one's own home. George Orwell somehow knew! Super job Sharron!
Yep, I'm agreeing with your readers; great new words and totally thought provoking. Visited Romania a few years back, recently emerging from communism. Such reticence on the faces of older folk; the younger had not seen such history. A relevant, impactful piece, Sharron. I feel safer!
Could get to this. FAR less crime. Till the collectors decide something is a crime. For right now, nearly nothing is. There are cameras across the street on poles aimed at my building. They say "traffic control". Across the street so nothing to be done about it. Not paying taxes on that side.
Well, nobody running around naked. Serve em right if they found that hahahaha. DID have two actual drug dealers for a while. Got rid of them quick. Invited police to camp in the parking lot out front or in the big one on the side. Both gone fast. ))) No more since.
This is excellent, Sharron! I’ve got to be honest, I felt uncomfortable while reading it. I could sense the narrator’s tension/anxiety. Whew...I hope it doesn’t come to this, but my goodness, it feels more and more likely with each passing day.
I read the sidepieces about hand chips in Sweden and India. Two ends of the spectrum and both terrifying. People are going to call this the Mark of the Beast. Card in your pocket isn't quite the same as chip in your hand. Personal meds info is going to be a BIG problem... even tho hospitals ask 100 questions over and over and over. STill they write them down wrong. They'll find a way to scramble the med part of the chip as "update". People who have saved up cash for retirement are threatened with erasing its use. Save up on the chip and the govt can erase that in a blink of an eye too. Witness China. I'm glad I'm old. I worry about my grandchildren.
Ooh, a good one!
Great story, Is this new for you? I do not recall any sci-fi-type stuff from you before.
Wow!! You've created a very believable dystopian, near-future scenario here. The invention of terms such as Saf-Cam, Descender, Thumm-pad, the signs on the cameras: "Keeping You Safe" , "Are You Well?" all help to set the scene as a depressing, everyday reality.
"If you are not breaking the law, you have nothing to worry about." This is the language that leads us down a slippery slope.
Thought provoking piece Sharron, and very impressive change of genre for you.
Love the made-up words…. Descender, saf-cam, etc. Makes it more real.
China is the No 1 surveillance state in the world. How they actually do it is a state secret... but the stories emerging from that vast country are often blood-curdling... cameras EVERYWHERE and they can actually "see" inside one's own home. George Orwell somehow knew! Super job Sharron!
Oh, boy. All that hi-tech from the "government that's here to help". It won't be long I'm afraid, already it creeps in. Well done, for sure, Sharron!
Yep, I'm agreeing with your readers; great new words and totally thought provoking. Visited Romania a few years back, recently emerging from communism. Such reticence on the faces of older folk; the younger had not seen such history. A relevant, impactful piece, Sharron. I feel safer!
Could get to this. FAR less crime. Till the collectors decide something is a crime. For right now, nearly nothing is. There are cameras across the street on poles aimed at my building. They say "traffic control". Across the street so nothing to be done about it. Not paying taxes on that side.
Well, nobody running around naked. Serve em right if they found that hahahaha. DID have two actual drug dealers for a while. Got rid of them quick. Invited police to camp in the parking lot out front or in the big one on the side. Both gone fast. ))) No more since.
'Keeping you safe'! Ulp!
And THAT closing line - just wow....!
You've made me think about soooooo many things, Sharron!
YEAH! This was great. And incredibly unsettling. Win win!
This is excellent, Sharron! I’ve got to be honest, I felt uncomfortable while reading it. I could sense the narrator’s tension/anxiety. Whew...I hope it doesn’t come to this, but my goodness, it feels more and more likely with each passing day.
Great, thought-provoking piece!
I read the sidepieces about hand chips in Sweden and India. Two ends of the spectrum and both terrifying. People are going to call this the Mark of the Beast. Card in your pocket isn't quite the same as chip in your hand. Personal meds info is going to be a BIG problem... even tho hospitals ask 100 questions over and over and over. STill they write them down wrong. They'll find a way to scramble the med part of the chip as "update". People who have saved up cash for retirement are threatened with erasing its use. Save up on the chip and the govt can erase that in a blink of an eye too. Witness China. I'm glad I'm old. I worry about my grandchildren.
Check DARPA TNT program if you want chilling. ;) Nice one, Sharron.
yep, brave new world is at our doorstep