Lurking on nearly every street corner, in every store, in every bus, is the ever-watchful eye of CCTV, which stands for closed-circuit television a.k.a. security cameras. Although security cameras are prevalent in the States, here in England the use of CCTV is more noticeable to the public.On my first visit to England, I clearly remember seeing signs for CCTV absolutely everywhere, and this initially freaked me out. Being a big sci-fi geek I was immediately reminded of George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, in which the public is under the constant surveillance of an omnipresent "Big Brother" by use of telescreens. My American friend, Greg, also immediately noticed the CCTV after just a day of walking around in London (and he is not a sci-fi nerd, mind you).
The term CCTV is not as commonly used in the States as it is in England. In America, I can remember reading signs like "Smile, you're on camera" or no mention of security cameras at all. I think because CCTV is the sole term used here, it gives the impression that all CCTV systems are connected somehow on a larger government-scale perhaps. And maybe it is....
According to several online sources, England is officially the most watched country in the world, monitored by more than 14 million CCTV cameras. And if you live in London, chances are you are caught on CCTV about 300 times a day. Oh brother....
♡ - Kristen
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