I see this kind of behaviour a lot in my Grandmother who grew up and lived most of her life in the Soviet Union. She is scared of anti-government dissent and tries to discourage it. She fears when people go on the Internet and talk about politics. I find it odd the way she tries to censor her own and others actions to try not to oppose the government.
- It’s not that Londoners are afraid. Not quite. It’s that in the world’s most surveillance-heavy metropolis... it usually doesn’t occur to us to be anything other than compliant.
- It’s far less trouble to modify your behaviour so you don’t ever say anything that might give the wrong impression. It’s easier, in short, to behave.
This is the issue. They aren't going to directly control our movements, our actions, our shit. We're still going to believe we have choices. But over time, step by step, they will place little tinges of fear that don't even seem like fear to the point where everyone complies and doesn't step out. But in a way where we don't even realize we are doing so. 1984.
It might not put you on a list, but a kid recently lost a nomination on the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents for signing the Scott Walker recall petition.
e: I can link, durr