Gilead's Bedroom Cameras: An Invasion Of Privacy?

does gilead use cameras in bedrooms

In Gilead, a society depicted in Margaret Atwood's novel 'The Handmaid's Tale' and its TV adaptation, the use of security cameras is notably absent, despite the presence of other advanced technology. This has sparked discussions among readers and viewers, who have proposed various explanations for this discrepancy. Some suggest that the lack of cameras is due to the story's plot, with the novel being set in a time before widespread video surveillance. Others point out the practical challenges of implementing surveillance systems in both urban and rural areas, the potential violation of religious modesty laws, and the already effective use of human informants and Guardians to instill fear and maintain control. Additionally, the risk of hacking and the desire to avoid recording their own misdeeds may also be factors in Gilead's decision to forgo cameras.

Characteristics Values
Use of video surveillance No
Reasons Fear already embedded in the population, high energy costs, risk of hacking, negative impact on fertility, negative impact on facade, violation of religious "modesty" laws, lack of manufacturing economy, and more
Use of other technology Yes (e.g. drones, cell phones, laptops)

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Gilead's use of drones for surveillance

  • Cost and Efficiency: Drones offer a cost-effective solution for Gilead, as the initial investment in drone technology is expensive, but the long-term benefits outweigh the costs. Drones can also perform perimeter patrols much faster than manned patrols, providing feedback in a matter of minutes.
  • Improved Visual Capabilities: Drones can fly at high altitudes, offering a wide aerial viewpoint without blind spots. They are equipped with advanced sensors and HD cameras, enabling them to detect anomalies or events in low-light conditions from a distance.
  • Risk Reduction: By using drones, Gilead can reduce the risk to their security staff. In dangerous situations, such as suspect apprehension or disaster outbreak, sending a drone first to investigate potential risks before deploying human personnel is a safer approach.
  • Flexibility and Accessibility: Drones can survey objects that may be out of reach for traditional photographers. They can take off and land in confined areas like rooftops, mountain tops, and ships. Additionally, they can monitor large areas efficiently, covering targets within a single flight.
  • Technological Advancements: Drones can be equipped with various technologies, such as live-feed video cameras, infrared cameras, thermal sensors, and LiDAR. They may also have object recognition and tracking capabilities, allowing for remote identification of individuals.
  • Military and Strategic Purposes: Drones can be used for border surveillance and monitoring, as seen in the show when a drone was used to monitor the border crossing into Canada. They provide real-time intelligence and comprehensive situational awareness, which can be crucial for military operations and strategic decision-making.
  • Power and Control: Gilead's society is built on power and control, and drones can be a tool to instill fear and maintain surveillance over the population. The presence of drones may create a sense of isolation, as individuals cannot trust anyone, knowing that they are constantly being watched.

However, it is important to note that the use of drones also presents challenges and considerations:

  • Privacy Concerns: The use of drones for surveillance raises privacy concerns, as they can be seen as an invasion of personal privacy and a tool for pervasive surveillance.
  • Legal and Ethical Issues: The legality of drone surveillance is a complex issue, with privacy advocates calling for legislation to protect individuals' rights. The Fourth Amendment and privacy laws play a crucial role in defining the boundaries of drone usage.
  • Misuse and Misdeeds: There is a risk that drones could be misused by those in power, and any misdeeds or illegal activities captured by the drones could be detrimental to Gilead's leadership.
  • Hacking and Security: Drones can be vulnerable to hacking, and sensitive data or footage could be intercepted or obtained by unauthorized individuals or groups.
  • Limitations and Blind Spots: While drones offer advanced capabilities, they may also have limitations in terms of flight duration, weather conditions, and blind spots, especially in rural or challenging terrain.

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Cameras in Gilead would be a plot hole

Firstly, the source material for the show, Margaret Atwood's novel "The Handmaid's Tale," was written in the 1980s when video surveillance was not prevalent. Adapting the story to modern times without addressing the availability of advanced technology would indeed create a plot hole.

Secondly, Gilead may be trying to stay away from advanced technology as a thematic choice. In the novel, Gilead was portrayed as a society that eschewed technology in daily life, which aligns with its old-timey puritanical views. By limiting the use of technology, the writers can create more opportunities for escape and resistance, as it is easier to find loopholes in a low-tech surveillance system.

Additionally, psychological factors come into play. Knowing that anyone can turn you in creates a more effective fear tactic in a totalitarian regime, fostering sustainable paranoia. Cameras and microphones can be hidden from or avoided, but colluding with someone else becomes much riskier when anyone you come into contact with could be spying for Gilead.

Furthermore, practical considerations such as cost, manpower, and blind spots make a purely technological surveillance system less feasible. Gilead already has Guardians on every corner and Eyes everywhere, so manpower is not their primary concern. Additionally, a widespread surveillance system would require significant resources and be vulnerable to hacking by rebel groups or other nations.

Lastly, Gilead may not want their human rights violations and misdeeds recorded. Video evidence of women suffering or footage of commanders engaging in illegal activities would turn people against Gilead and damage their carefully crafted facade of a utopian society.

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Gilead's avoidance of advanced technology

Another theory revolves around the idea that the absence of cameras is a result of Gilead's desire to control its citizens through fear and paranoia. Knowing that anyone could be an informant creates a sense of isolation and discourages trust, making it more difficult for resistance movements to gain traction. Additionally, the presence of heavily armed Guardians on every street corner serves as a constant reminder of the consequences of dissent, further reinforcing the sense of constant surveillance.

A third theory suggests that Gilead's avoidance of certain technologies, such as security cameras, is rooted in their old-timey puritanical views, which eschew technology in daily life. This is further supported by the fact that Gilead does possess and utilise other advanced technologies, such as drones, which are used for border patrol and monitoring.

Furthermore, it is speculated that Gilead may be concerned about the potential for their surveillance systems to be hacked or compromised, leading to sensitive information being leaked. This is a particularly pertinent concern given the secretive nature of their society and the human rights violations they commit.

Lastly, there is also a practical consideration when it comes to the implementation of surveillance technology. Installing and maintaining a comprehensive surveillance system would require significant resources, manpower, and infrastructure, which Gilead may not have at their disposal, especially considering their involvement in ongoing resistance battles and the apparent scarcity of certain technologies.

In conclusion, Gilead's avoidance of advanced technology, particularly security cameras, can be attributed to a combination of narrative convenience, ideological beliefs, practical considerations, and a desire to maintain control through fear and isolation.

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Cameras would be easily hacked

Cameras in Gilead would be easily hacked, and this would be detrimental to the regime. If the footage got into the wrong hands, it would expose the human rights violations and the true nature of Gilead's society, which is very different from the utopia it tries to present to the world. The footage would be damning proof and smoking guns of the suffering of women, the mistreatment of handmaids, and the hypocrisy of the Commanders and men in power.

Gilead's entire facade of a utopian society with rising fertility rates, climate neutrality, and peaceful living would come crashing down. The rosy picture they paint for the world would be proven to be a lie. The regime's efforts to maintain control through fear and isolation would be significantly undermined if their surveillance systems were hacked, and their true nature exposed.

Additionally, the Commanders and men in power likely engage in activities that they have declared illegal or sinful, such as cheating on their wives and visiting Jezebels. They would not want these activities to be recorded and potentially leaked, as it would ruin their credibility and expose their hypocrisy.

The use of cameras and video surveillance would also create more opportunities for people to find ways to sneak around and work against the regime. As one Reddit user points out, no matter how totalitarian and surveilled a society is, it is never possible to fully control and monitor everyone, and there are always ways for people to find loopholes and resist.

Therefore, the decision to not widely employ cameras and video surveillance in Gilead is likely a strategic one, aimed at maintaining control and preventing the exposure of their human rights violations and hypocrisy.

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Cameras are unnecessary due to Guardians

Cameras are unnecessary in Gilead due to the presence of Guardians. The oppressive regime relies on this group of armed men to maintain control and instill fear in the populace. With Guardians on every corner, their presence serves as a constant reminder that everyone is under surveillance. This low-tech approach to surveillance is more effective in controlling the population than cameras, as it is harder to hide from a physical person than a camera.

Additionally, Gilead may also want to avoid the use of technology due to the risk of hacking. Cameras and other electronic devices could potentially be hacked by rebel groups or other nations, exposing the human rights violations and misdeeds of those in power. The regime is already struggling with limited resources and a stretched military, so they cannot afford to give their enemies any advantage.

The use of Guardians also fits in with Gilead's old-timey, puritanical views, which eschew technology in daily life. This is evident in their lack of television and limited use of computers and phones. Gilead is also not a huge force, and they are scattered and fighting resistance battles, so they likely don't have the resources for extensive spy technology.

Furthermore, the use of cameras could violate their own religious "modesty" laws, as well as compromise the privacy of the Commanders. Instead, Gilead relies on a network of informants and the ever-present Guardians to maintain control and enforce their rules.

In conclusion, the presence of Guardians makes cameras unnecessary in Gilead. The regime uses this low-tech approach to maintain control, instill fear, and avoid the risks associated with technology. By doing so, they create an atmosphere of isolation and paranoia, where trust is non-existent and everyone lives in fear of being watched and reported.

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