Mind manipulation

I believe the computer is ultimately a dystopian technology. This is because it can be used to access almost infinite forms of information on others which can be used against others. While this information can be used against others, it can essentially be used to manipulate the lives of individuals essentially leading to the downfall or deterioration of society. This may be done by accessing information regarding purchases, jobs, typical behaviors, credit/criminal history, personal beliefs regarding religious/political affiliations, etc. This information is accessed via a computer, although may initially be gained through credit card purchases, or shopper saver clubs, online/inputted data applications from jobs, loan hunting, apt. hunting, etc. The point is, information is gathered from just about anywhere and is all put onto a computer which can be most likely accessed through a network, making it simple for those knowledgable with the language of computers to access this information. Once the information is accessed, it is possible to use such information the manipulate or sway the way of thinking of an individual if necessary in certain circumstances such as during political campaigns. This would ultimately mean the use of computers leads to our own detriment because we would not be making our own decisions at all times and are possibly manipulated and corrupted by those who have access to and use our own information against us.

This idea is somewhat relevant in 1984 with the telescreen. The telescreen is forced into the homes of every individual and monitors every action including the heart beats of members living in the household. Winston attempts to find ways of escaping this by turning his back to the telescreen or finding the nook in his house where he was barely visible to the telescreen. He also tries to find ways to avoid dystopian technologies such as the speakeasy by choosing to write in a journal instead. The difference between these two technologies are that they will monitor in different ways, such as the computer is available to access information of an individual after the behavior, which the telescreen monitors this information while the person is still behaving. This allows the telescreen to invade an individual's privacy to a larger degree, thus making it easier for the Big Brother to manipulate and control society as they wish.

I believe based on the above mentioned idea of computers, this technology can be considered inherently dystopian. This technology is designed for the storage and ease of use of certain information; then the internet became existent, thus making it even easier to access such information. This essentially means the technology would be dystopian based on its use, although considering the intent of this technology is to access and input information, incidentally the computer is then perhaps considered inherently dystopian. Using this example alone proves there is somewhat of a catch 22 though. While the computer may inherently be considered dystopian because of the capability to ultimately do harm upon society, it may also be considered inherently good for the improvement and success of society. I believe there are other technologies which are not inherently dystopian such as cell phone, which as much as others may argue, I really do not believe the cell phone is harmful is any way to the overall good and improvement of society. Cell phones simply make it easier to communicate with others. There may be unfortunate consequences resulting from the use of the cell phone such as it being a distraction while driving, although this is not an inherent quality of the cell phone. The cell phone was intended for maintaining communication among others, not for distracting someone while driving. This technology according to this idea of intended use would not be considered inherently dystopian.