Self Surveillance

Overall this experiment was an eye opening experience. My oblivion to the fact that I was being watched, listened to, or tracked was pretty huge before this. I became a little paranoid at some point when I was questioning whether or not having a conversation on my phone was safe anymore or using my debit card with cameras pointing directly at the pin pad was ok. From the cameras on buses, street lights, ATM machines, to stores, I noted how I was being watched and recorded everywhere.

Outside of the madness, to inside at home, I felt like I wasn’t being tracked, but again I was wrong. Every time I log on to facebook or Bank of America it’s being recorded somewhere on some one’s computer. I already live life as I am being watched, and now I know why. BECAUSE I AM. Although I live alone it doesn’t matter much because either through my windows or through the screen of my computer I’m being watched in my, quote on quote, “alone time” (i.e. skype or video aim).

I don’t feel the exercise it self was difficult. I think ending the exercise has been the most difficult. After this, how do you not think of all the ways you’re being watched and recorded? In a weird kind of way, well at least for me, it becomes exciting. Probably one of the reasons Hasan Elahi continues to track his life. I now see how important media is in both my private and public self. A lack of, would probably have to be gradual, I couldn’t imagine living without it.