What's the point of surveiling citizenry? - eviltoast

Full blown essay like answers are more than welcomed. What does the ‘ruling class’ gains from surveiling it’s own population. What do they fear the most? What there is to lose, what there is to gain?

  • Björn Tantau@swg-empire.de
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    3 months ago

    It’s not about surveiling but about feeling surveyed. If you feel like you’re being watched you’re much less likely to rise up and do something to fight the system because you think what you’re doing is seen.

    And you’ve also got to remember that it’s not necessarily “the state” spying on you. It’s real people. In East Germany people weren’t afraid of surveillance cameras. They were afraid their neighbour, friend or family member was a spy. That creates an atmosphere of fear and animosity that is aimed at fellow citizens and not at the actually ruling population.