Chris Gilliard on Amazon’s admission that Ring spies on us from Feb 16, 2026

Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.

In 'Luxury Surveillance,' Chris Gilliard explores the concept of luxury surveillance, where high-end devices such as Apple Watches, Fitbits, and smart home devices like Ring doorbells and Amazon Halo Rise, are voluntarily adopted by consumers. This form of surveillance is contrasted with imposed surveillance, highlighting how the former can normalize and justify the latter, particularly affecting marginalized communities. The book delves into the intersections of race, class, and technology, and how these devices contribute to a broader surveillance society that disproportionately impacts certain groups.