Jeffery Said:

final writing assignment topic needed?

We Answered:

maybe a field visit and its uses. or theory vs case studies.

Lee Said:

Which movie would make for a better sociology paper?

We Answered:

Definitely V for Vendetta.

There is so much you can write about the movie. Politics and a totalitarian state. Oppression and rebellion. Resistance. There is the whole human experiment thing as well. That in itself can be a major issue for discussion.

As for notions of common sense. There is the challenge to freedom and free speech. Something everyone expects but similar to todays society it doesnt always happen that way. You can draw a lot of parallels actually.

There is the whole notion of surveillance actually. How our society is becoming more about security by denying some basic human rights (like privacy). Reminds me a lot of Foucault's work like his Panopticon.

There is also V himself. Who is completely a product of his society. He wouldnt be that difficult to write about.

And you would get to see the movie again. Awesome movie.

Denise Said:

How is surveillance used and/or abused in 1984, Minority Report (film) and Minority Report (novella)?

We Answered:

I can only comment on 1984 =, I am not familiar with the others.

In 1984 everyone has a telescreen in their house were The Party can view their every move.
The Party say that this is to improve every-ones security as it helps them to catch thought criminals etc. This is not the case and it is used purely to condition the masses into obeying as they know that they cannot escape the surveillance.
Propaganda is constantly broadcast on these 2 way telescreens about terrorism from Eurasia/Eastasia.

Surveillance reminds the population that they are currently at risk and keeps the faith that The Party are doing all they can to win the war (which is not real).

The Party also employ 'thought police' meant to catch the guilty person before they have committed a crime. This is also used to keep everyone loyal to The Party.

In 1984 the role of surveillance is to make people fear and obey, knowledge is power after all. It is severely abused but The Party get away with it because they use the screen of 'safety'.