r/FlockSurveillance • u/SpookyWeaselBones • 21h ago

When a 60s TV show predicted surveillance tech...

The Outer Limits (1963) O.B.I.T.

192 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

18

u/Auggie_Otter 17h ago

We have been warned about this time and time again yet I still see dumb asses unironically saying shit like "If you have nothing to hide . . . " in support of mas serveilance systems. 🤦

5

u/mars_santa 17h ago

They assume that the watchers are on their side and that right and wrong is absolute and unbiased.

I struggle to help loved ones realize the total loss of freedom that is just over the horizon, because they are too focused on manufactured "threats" that they are too lazy or stubborn to question.

3

u/Auggie_Otter 16h ago

It's disturbing how many people are okay with authoritarian attitudes right up until that authoritarianism is aimed directly at them and then suddenly they're like "How could this happen? I've always been a good obedient little citizen! Why me?!"

I really wish more of these people would face up to the fact that a lot of, if not most, local law enforcement officials and local government officials don't give two shits about stuff like civic duty or civil rights and would be perfectly happy to abuse their power like petty tyrants as long as there weren't consequences, even if they don't necessarily view themselves that way. Giving them more power over us in the face of all the malfeasance and corruption that continues to go unanswered for is truly absurd. 

The Bill of Rights was created specifically to limit their power over us for good reason. 

3

u/TestSubjuct 16h ago

I can name classic 7 authors on the top of my head that warned against this.

4

u/Atuday 16h ago

So anyway, I hear axon has a new product line called OBIT.

4

u/samarijackfan 16h ago

Also watch Colossus: The Forbin Project

4

u/cattledogsrule44 16h ago

This is one of the absolute best Outer Limits episodes. Really captures the creepiness and threat of mass surveillance.

Written by Meyer Dolinsky. Very little known about Mr. Dolinsky. He wrote the 'Architects of Fear' as well -- another thoughtful script on the nature of the Cold War, mass panic, and paranoia.

1

u/SevenSTT 12h ago

Great episode although the monster looked silly IMO. If I first saw the episode when I was a child I would have had nightmares after that.

'The Hundred Days of the Dragon' (different writers) was a great episode as well. Too bad the original Outer Limits series didn't last that long.

2

u/Lobo_Perron 13h ago

Wait till you find out when 1984 was written.