Blog Assignment #5: Big Brother Is Watching You

Big Brother is watching you and perhaps the purpose is to make you feel secure in daily life. I must admit that I have never thought about the cameras that are all around us nowadays.

The cameras in shopping centers and public places don’t bother me at all because I’ve got nothing to worry about. I have never intended to do something wrong and I haven’t planned any crimes in the future either. I see the cameras as a protection against criminals and that make me feel safe when walking around in public places or in shopping centers. I never felt that my integrity is spoiled due to that cameras are watching me like a “big brother”. I know that it isn’t me they are looking for.

One type of camera that could possibly make me feel a little bit insecure is the high-speed cameras. Even if I shouldn’t, I sometimes drive faster than it’s allowed and that makes me breaking the law doing a criminal action. Mostly I am aware of where the cameras are placed and I adapt my speed to not break the speeding limits, because I would not like to be caught by a flash and then getting a high-speed ticket in the mailbox. That would be too embarrassing!

Terrorism sometimes feels far away to me when living the daily life at home with family and work. But terrorism isn’t far away when entering an airport with lots of guards and security control you got reminded that terrorists could be closer than you suspect. That makes me feel a little bit frightened and insecure.

After writing down my thoughts about “big brother” watching me and all the others around me I don’t feel annoyed by it as long it doesn’t impact on my integrity too much. Probably I will not be aware of the impact until it’s too late, that’s how our society has become today.

Blog Assignment # 4: Grades

Swedish school children do not receive grades until 8th grade comparison to other countries in Europe it’s late. As Sweden is a part of the European Union it might be a good idea to assimilate the school systems and also the grading system. At the end of the day most of the children in school would like to start an education at University level and some students also chose to study in another European country. Therefore it is suitable to start with the grades at least in the sixth grade to give the students a better chance to improve their grades in time.

Grades in the sixth grade are a golden opportunity to slow starters. The children that don’t have easy to learn in school will get four bonus semesters if they receive their grades in the sixth grade. They get a better chance to keep up the good work trying to achieve their goals for their future and they are given a longer term to improve their studies. I think that giving the children longer time to consider their school situation is fairer to them.

Lack of time a risk to children that receive bad first grades in the 8th grade. Receiving bad grades for the first time at the age of fourteen could make the children losing their hope and self confidence to improve their grades in time. Having just three semesters to improve their grades won’t be enough for some children. They lose their hope and might give up and not fight for their future dreams. To be given the time you need that is fair and encouraging to a child and it will help the child to succeed.