Privacy, Security in the 21st Century Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Privacy, Security in the 21st Century - Essay Example Others, however, find even the old surveillance technologies to be disturbing. The ubiquitous security surveillance camera, for example, still has the power to stir controversy; witness the post-9/11 reaction to the National Park Service's plan to put round-the clock security cameras in the national parks within the nation's capitol (DeBose 1). For those people concerned with any new-found surveillance ability, the constitutionally-guaranteed right to privacy is violated by the merest hint of "big brother" monitoring their activity. The advance of technology, however, is not subject to public opinion; it is simply a fact that newer and better means of obtaining information are going to continue to be developed. Appropriately applied, these new methods have the ability to greatly enhance the safety and security of the general public and there is no question that science will continue to advance these capacities. The burden of balancing privacy with technology will have to be placed upon the courts. The provided quotes from Benjamin Franklin and H. L. Mencken demonstrate the perspectives of two different philosophical positions in two different worlds.