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Worldbuilding

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    $\begingroup$ I think that all the technology we need for electronic mass surveillance already exists today. Micro cameras and microphones, automatic voice and face recognition, the big data processing technology to mine it all... everything available commercially over the shelf. The only reason we don't have 24/7 surveillance is because there isn't the political will to do it. What additional technological breakthrough do you think would be needed to not make it happen until 2150? $\endgroup$
    – Philipp
    Commented Sep 20, 2018 at 7:51
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    $\begingroup$ I'm afraid you're underestimating the technology we have now in place. There are already tools predicting behaviour based on the live camera footage, machine deep learning solutions that enable improve algorithms without creators realising what actually the computer is doing, big data mining to provide data for deep learning and all the technology needed to make a 24/7 surveillance (i.e. recording/monitoring everything that is going on in every single home and in the streets). We're actually better at this than what was suggested in Orwell's novel. $\endgroup$
    – Ister
    Commented Sep 20, 2018 at 7:52
  • $\begingroup$ The real limit on 24/7 surveillance is the cost and the amount of data produced- just too much irrelevant data to sort through. The Chinese Government would love to surveillance 24/7 but they are coming close is with the Social Rating judge you and your family on standards that their leaders breach all the time and blanket online and camera coverage. $\endgroup$
    – user2617804
    Commented Sep 22, 2018 at 8:52
  • $\begingroup$ You don't need 24/7 coverage. Look in on someone every few days, and if anything is amiss, he gets a knock on the door in the middle of the night. Word gets around. The possibility of being watched, when you can't tell whether you're being watched, is as effective as being watched. $\endgroup$
    – EvilSnack
    Commented Nov 25, 2022 at 1:12
  • $\begingroup$ @EvilSnack I'm afraid you do. Please re-read the OP's question. The target surveillance was that espoused by Orwell in his book 1984. That's 24/7 coverage. Whether or not that's necessary isn't part of the question. $\endgroup$
    – JBH
    Commented Nov 25, 2022 at 2:28