Big Brother is Watching

When I was in New York, I took a couple of photos of the subway stations and trains as I knew that there would be a ban on photography in the subway soon. But I didn't know that the ban had already become effective. One day we hopped on a number 6 train, which looked like a brand new one with lights on a map indicating where the train is at any given time. There was also a recorded voice and an LCD screen showing the name of the upcoming station--finally, something modern for the NYC subway system, something that the Japanese subway, for example, has had for ages.

But these are not all. Soon came a "high-tech" surprise. As I was admiring the modern features of this train and taking some snapshots, a voice came through the loudspeaker, aiming at me: "Photography is not allowed in the subway. Put that camera away immediately." The lady and man across from me immediately reacted and said to me: "Oh, now we know we are being watched!" This is something new even to the New Yorkers.

Well, this meant the end of my subway picture taking. At the next station, a policeman came onboard, which made me wonder for a few seconds. I thought, well, the ban does not concern journalists and I had a press card with me. So I wasn't really scared they would do anything to me. After all, do I look like a terrorist? Still, This kind of police-state control gives me the chills. I have discussed this with a friend who lives in the city and she supports the ban as a security measure. But I think it is too paranoid. It is killing the creative licence of people more than it kills terrorism.

On another occassion, when we were entering the Metropolitan, we also went through a security line and had our bags examined. It seems like Big Brother is increasingly watching you in the Land of Freedom.