Inside out

The other night while trying to get to sleep I read a bit of an article about windows. Not exactly a real earth shatterer, but interesting all the same. One of the points in the article that jumped out to me, was the author's remark about windows being one of the few parts of your house that can be seen from the inside and outside. I found it a curious remark, and with more than 30 centimetres of the white stuff on the ground, I've been staring out of my windows all weekend.

In thinking about the window remark a bit further I realised that there aren't a lot of things that both you, and those on the outside of your house, enjoy equally. Even then, you don't necessarily enjoy them equally, and each's vantage point is different. There is something in common though that is shared through windows whether we like it or not.

The rest of the article dealt more with the aesthetic beauty inherent in certain windows, which coincided with me succeeding at finding some sleep. My curiosity had been peaked though and found it a decent little thing to ponder while staring out from the inside of the snow globe the last couple of days.

Damn, Orwell was smart.

Recently I was listening to talk radio program on the CBC. The issue of closed circuit cameras in public places to "prevent" crime was being discussed. Most of the people in favour of the cameras felt their civil liberties being infringed was worth the personal safety they felt with the camera presence. Many of the people against the cameras felt there are more effective ways to deter criminal activity, without infringing on civil liberties. Either way, Orwell was smart.

Truth be told, I don't exactly know what I feel about it. Simple truths, crime is bad and no one should feel unsafe in their own city. On the other hand, has our society deteriorated to the point that we need to be watched 24 hours a day in order to act correctly, or to feel safe?

The cameras have had some some positive results in the U.K, where they are used in certain trouble spots in and around London. What is frightening though, is whether the efffectiveness of these cameras at reducing crime in public spaces will then be used as a justification to place them in what we deem to be more private spaces. This could range from residential street corners or even certain homes. Both Canada, the U.S and Britain have wrongfully arrested certain individuals suspected of terrorism. Would we use these cameras to monitor residences of "suspected terrorists" or other individuals perceived to be societal threats?

Definitely a slippery slope issue. We are always moving closer and closer to a Big Brother model of society. At war with Europe one day and another territory the following. The placement of cameras in public spaces would reduce crime, but only in areas with cameras. Crime would then find a new home not under the watchful eye of BB, would we follow it anxiously with more cameras?

Hmmmm.

It's strange the effect the suburbs will have on you. I still feel connected to what's going on on a bigger scale, yet I don't feel AS intrigued by the minutiae of daily life.

One of the biggest reasons is the reduced number of interactions I have with unknown people. I either cycle or drive to work now, instead of taking the metro. Riding is great exercise and low environmental cost, while driving is warmer, allows me to drink my coffee and listen to either music or talk radio. Neither, however puts me face to face with hundreds of people and possibilities.

Not having those chance meetings or small "events" makes it more important to seek out variety and diversity. Already I have noticed a difference in myself. Even when I sat down to write, I had to search my brain for what to blather about. A few months ago, numerous banal and trivial little occurences would have tickled my fancy. Good to realise I suppose, scary all the same.