I just finished reading The Panopticon's Changing Geography by Jerome E. Dobson and Peter F. Fisher, which has put my brain into a spin. I was raised in the era of George Orwell's Big Brother scare and when small hand held computer games, such as the Texas Instrument "Speak and Spell," were introduced, refused to buy one for my daughter because I thought it may have some sort of chip in it to detect where we were at all times. My friends thought I was kind of crazy but it wasn't long after that cell phones came into existence and have the capacity to do just that. Now with the Panopticon III in existence, it is possible to track anyone or anything, anywhere or anytime. With this invention, and with more years of maturity (I think), I now have mixed feelings. First, I think it is a great idea to substitute a tracking device rather than a jail cell for prisoners. The economical factor is the most beneficial considering what it costs to house a prisoner for a year versus one who is wearing such a monitoring device. Secondly, it sounds like a great idea for a parent to equip a child with one such device in the event of an abduction, however this is where the clash of views comes in. Where does one draw the line between normal (or is it?) monitoring of a child for his "own protection" and monitoring a child for our "own curiosity?" What seems like a good idea for the prevention of a crime can and will be abused if placed in the wrong (or evil) hands. What a great idea to be able to send you teenager on his first date and be able to know where he/she is at all times, under the watchful eye of mom or dad. Or even better, you'd be able to leave town for a couple of days (or weeks) and know your child is at home in the evenings, doing homework of course, and at school during the day (add a bit of electroshock when your son/daughter gets a little out of line and you have full control). As is mentioned on page 316, put in the hands of a suspicious boy/girlfriend, there could be serious problems.

The technology is here, and along with the technology are people who will abuse it and use it for their own selfish desires. Where do we draw the line? It is comforting to know that people can be tracked with their cell phones, as was the case last year with the family snowed-in on an Oregon mountain road, or in several cases of kidnapping solved by tracking a cell phone, but on the other hand, is it good to always be "track-able?" If microchips can be implanted into animals, it can surely be done with humans. I have a problem with this as I do feel it is an invasion of privacy. Where cell phones are optional; one doesn't need one and can opt to not carry one knowing that he is traceable. And cameras in public places are helpful as a deterrent of crime, maybe not preventing all crime as the authors state, but for most of us "normal" people: Don't do anything wrong to worry about being photographed! But a device that can track our every move, against our will or choice, is a bit unconstitutional don't you think? It will be interesting to see where this goes in the future. And always remember: BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU!