"In '89 when the eastern European countries opened up to western eyes and the Berlin wall toppled, Romania ousted its leader Ceaucescu who - to the shock of our free press - had installed cameras on the streets to observe his people... outrageous, it would never happen here, etc, etc. Now the U.K. has more cctv cameras than any other country per head of population. Being watched became being protected. The price of protection is the subliminal idea that we cannot control ourselves, and the resulting further deterioration of sense of community that humans are geared to. As big business crime goes on unheeded we walk the streets afraid of the potential criminal amongst us, and even the one inside us... because being watched has always inferred GUILT or NOT BEING TRUSTED. It creates low self-esteem which on a large scale creates a society whose only cohesive point of reference is the government, to love or to hate, but the sole provider of better times just around the corner... pacified via television, yet scrutinised when outdoors, it's watch or be watched. All else will be taken care of.
On a happier note, the cameras are pretty much useless, unattended or empty; any use of cctv film by the cops to secure conviction is - until they amend the law - contrary to article 8 of the European convention on human right (the right to respect for private & family life, and its sanctity against "interference by public authority"); and cctv, errr, create jobs? Screen-staring of yet another kind! "PHONE IN SICK!" signs held up to the cameras.... (quick before they make that illegal too). "
that's what the album sleeve has to say about the song, i didn't type it up, i got it form a punk lyrics site (if you were wondering.) it's definitely worth a read!
"In '89 when the eastern European countries opened up to western eyes and the Berlin wall toppled, Romania ousted its leader Ceaucescu who - to the shock of our free press - had installed cameras on the streets to observe his people... outrageous, it would never happen here, etc, etc. Now the U.K. has more cctv cameras than any other country per head of population. Being watched became being protected. The price of protection is the subliminal idea that we cannot control ourselves, and the resulting further deterioration of sense of community that humans are geared to. As big business crime goes on unheeded we walk the streets afraid of the potential criminal amongst us, and even the one inside us... because being watched has always inferred GUILT or NOT BEING TRUSTED. It creates low self-esteem which on a large scale creates a society whose only cohesive point of reference is the government, to love or to hate, but the sole provider of better times just around the corner... pacified via television, yet scrutinised when outdoors, it's watch or be watched. All else will be taken care of.
On a happier note, the cameras are pretty much useless, unattended or empty; any use of cctv film by the cops to secure conviction is - until they amend the law - contrary to article 8 of the European convention on human right (the right to respect for private & family life, and its sanctity against "interference by public authority"); and cctv, errr, create jobs? Screen-staring of yet another kind! "PHONE IN SICK!" signs held up to the cameras.... (quick before they make that illegal too). "
that's what the album sleeve has to say about the song, i didn't type it up, i got it form a punk lyrics site (if you were wondering.) it's definitely worth a read!