Talking CCTV Cameras to Give Britons Orders

Britain is to install more surveillance cameras fitted with loudspeakers, so security operators can shout at misbehaving members of the public.

It's foolish to say Britain is "sleepwalking" into a surveillance society: everyone knows what's going on, and has for years. The problem is not that the government is craftily erecting a police state, but that most Britons are happy for them to create it. Brits (of which I am one) have always maintained a certain fake self-image of anarchic mishebavior to cover for the fact that they've traditionally been a jolly obedient lot.

"The telescreen was giving forth an ear-splitting whistle which continued on the same note for thirty seconds. It was nought seven fifteen, getting-up time for office workers. Winston wrenched his body out of bed ...

'Thirty to forty group!' yapped a piercing female voice. 'Thirty to forty group! Take your places, please. Thirties to forties!' Winston sprang to attention in front of the telescreen, upon which the image of a youngish woman, scrawny but muscular, dressed in tunic and gym-shoes, had already appeared.

'Arms bending and stretching!' she rapped out. 'Take your time by me. One, two, three, four! One, two, three, four! Come on, comrades, put a bit of life into it! ...'"

Oi you! Britain to install more talking cameras [Reuters]