October 20 , 2004

What can a freedom-lover do to point out the creeping encroachment of government and corporate information-seekers in this post-1984 world, where so many of the gov-indoctrinated masses apparently think of Big Brother as something that either "can't happen here" (despite the growing evidence that it is indeed happening, right under their noses) or is necessary for society's security? (Never mind for the moment that that construct isn't possible -- security is first and foremost an individual's concern and responsibility.) Fortunately, we have a new novel to point to as a cautionary tale of the path the consumer-database worshippers and RFID-taggers would have individuals tread.

Mallcity 14, by Australian psychologist Shaun Saunders, is on its face an interesting story of a teenage boy coming of age in a consumer-centric world. He begins to question many of its assumptions -- and the school's teachings -- and then, to balk at taking his place in that debt-driven world. Saunders deftly weaves elements of today's information society -- and the not-too-distant future -- into both the setting and action as well. The result is a semi-dystopian world that many citizens of the western, modern world could easily imagine themselves in. While some who'd embrace the coming Database Nation would likely be comfortable with that vision, many more will likely find elements of it objectionable. That appears to be Saunders' goal in writing Mallcity 14, and it's no small feat that he succeeds.

Many privacy activists are written off as cranks or Luddites, when neither is necessarily accurate. Valid uses of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tagging exist, and the technology will be a boon to minimizing companies' losses through the shipping and stocking lines. However, tagging individual items, and keeping the tag active after an item's sale for the purposes of tracking the purchaser, is an enormous violation of privacy -- one that is coming, despite the denials of companies at the forefront of RFID adoption. Tagging individuals -- implanting RFID chips, ostensibly for security reasons -- was at first pooh-poohed even in the RFID industry as something that was "years away". However, it's happening now -- and not just on the voluntary level. In the U.S. the FDA recently approved RFID chips for use in humans, apparently clearing the way for its use in hospital patients. Is this the first step toward mandatory chipping of all humans at birth? If so, Saunders' novel is especially relevant right now.

Mallcity 14 is an understated, thoughtful examination of a possible future for consumer-focused societies that should give any freedom-minded individual pause. Because Saunders refrains from polemics and hyperbole in crafting and spinning his story, it's also an excellent book for educating others. Tapping into topics including consumerism, privacy, and groupthink, Mallcity 14 is a short but deep exploration into a future that is quickly approaching -- unless those of us who wish to avert it take action. Reading and sharing Mallcity 14 is an excellent first step to take.

Mallcity 14 is available from Trafford Publishing, currently $19.99 U.S. 219 pp., trade paper, ISBN 141203182-6.

Sunni Maravillosa is the co-founder of Liberty Round Table. To see more of her work, please visit her web site, SunniMaravillosa.com.

Archives

Do It Your
Way

I'm Only Interested in Freedom

Law and Liberty

Git Yer Hands Out of my Pockets!

Tactics and hypocrisy

Privacy's Canaries

Permission Slips

Charges don't serve justice

Speechless