John Twelve Hawks’ “Against Authority – Freedom and the Rise of The Surveillance States” Essay is a wonderfully crafted, easy to digest manuscript on privacy, technology, corruption, surveillance, data-mining, and the contrast between Power and Authority. Hawks smartly combines information from numerous, credible sources with philosophy in a non-threatening, inquisitive and conversation manner to elicit the reader to see his position and pause to reflect. Having read Hawks’ dystopian fiction previously, allow me to make two broad statements:
1. This is not a manifesto from a tin-foil hat wearing, off-the-grid living, mental patient-in-waiting writer hiding behind a moniker.
2. You learn that he does live on the grid and finds it impossible to lead an effective and efficient life with comfort without a presence in the Digital Market. In my opinion, the Essay’s intent is to show evidence and information about the downside of giving away freedom in the name of protection (against terrorists, crooks, etc.). Hawks’ deftly provides statistics on prevention, or the illusion thereof. Additionally, the act of giving away privacy in the name of convenience is well presented throughout this essay. Inevitably, Hawks admits that living off-the-grid is more of a fantasy: We work; we have cell phones and Internet, bills to pay, and places to go. He counters, however, that after reading his essay, you may become more aware of invasive technology and perhaps take time for yourself off-line with just you and your original thoughts to keep you company. You can start by leaving cell phones in the car when you and your family go out to eat. Unplug! Having read the author’s trilogy “The Fourth Realm” years ago, I will say that aspects have stuck with me and this essay just reconfirms a portion of my thoughts and action. I am a strong advocate for attempting to control what search engines will find out about your true identity. No, I’m not in the tin-foil camp. My DNA is already on file (Military service), I’m educated, and have a wonderful family. I’m on the grid, believe me. However, I notice. I care. I minimize my public self and don’t expose my friends or family (as much as I can control). My monikers I use for public opinions published online do not tie back to my public-facing profile. That said, I’m not a computer whiz, so perhaps they are! It is the active action, or attempt of prevention at least, that counts. This is Hawks’ end message. Don’t passively allow every action, purchase, location, picture, etc., to be scooped up by big data firms that sell your information, target advertise, and begin to use predictive analysis on your thoughts AND emotions. Like you, I enjoy the convenience of the Digital Era. Just be aware of what is out there, how you can be profiled now and in the future, and how those with Power (not necessarily Authority) can shape your life. I read this August 2014- I may revisit it next year to see if it resonates more, or less, than the original reading.
5 of 5 stars. Book is permafree on Amazon!! From the Publisher:
In both his novels and in his 2005 essay, How We Live Now, John Twelve Hawks was one of the first authors to warn us about the growing power of surveillance technology. Now he has written a personal and controversial book that shows how our lives are watched and analyzed by governments and international corporations. In a world in which our actions can be monitored by a computerized grid of social control, is there anything we can do to defend our freedom?
