New Books in Science, Technology, and Society

David Lyon, "Surveillance: A Very Short Introduction" (Oxford UP, 2024)

Jan 8, 2025

David Lyon, a leading expert on surveillance and former Director of the Surveillance Studies Centre, delves into the pervasive nature of surveillance in today's society. He discusses how tech advancements, especially during the pandemic, have reshaped our understanding of privacy. Ethical concerns around facial recognition technology and its biases come to light, alongside the impacts of surveillance capitalism where corporations profit from our data. Lyon passionately argues for a critical examination of these systems, urging a call for digital citizenship and responsibility.

57:56

Episode guests

David Lyon

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Surveillance has evolved to reflect a spectrum of practices, from beneficial, like wildlife monitoring, to invasive, such as facial recognition technology in transit systems.

The rise of surveillance capitalism shifts the focus from governmental oversight to corporate control, emphasizing the commodification of personal data and its ethical implications.

Deep dives

The Evolution of Surveillance

Surveillance has significantly evolved over the years, particularly with advancements in technology. David Lyon defines surveillance as a systematic activity aimed at monitoring personal details for various purposes, such as protection and management. The rise of the internet and social media since 2008 has heightened public awareness of surveillance, prompting society to rethink its implications and our roles within it. This newer understanding emphasizes that surveillance is not just an imposed system but an experience in which individuals actively participate, often without complete awareness.

Intro

6min

The Evolution of Surveillance

6min

The Convenience and Concerns of Facial Recognition Technology

4min

Surveillance and Human Well-Being

5min

Surveillance in the Age of Smartphones

10min

Surveillance Capitalism Unveiled

27min

Surveillance is everywhere today, generating data about our purchasing, political, and personal preferences. Surveillance: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2024) shows how surveillance makes people visible and affects their lives, considers the technologies involved and how it grew to its present size and prevalence, and explores the pressing ethical questions surrounding it.

David Lyon is former Director of the Surveillance Studies Centre and Professor Emeritus of Sociology and Law, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario.

Caleb Zakarin is editor at the New Books Network.

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