Modern Times, Then and Now

Charlie Chaplin Tempos Modernos

This is a old movie published at 1936. In that time, automatic machine definitely was a new thing to people. Industry appeared and people started to work with the auto-machine. Like the character in the movie, Charlie Chaplin. The conveyor moves fast and Charlie Chaplin need do finish his work before the "object" gone. He is very busy that he even did not have time to argue with his inspector or drive out the fly. His work became a irresistible mission. In some sense, he was forced to the work before it run out.

Finally Charlie Chaplin got a rare rest time. He went to the toilet and have a cigarette. Before he smoked, the screen behind him light on suddenly, the graphic of his boss came out and shouted him to back to work. On that time, the thought of monitoring definitely a new idea!

After looking at the movie, don't you find that there are some similar experience between Charlie Chaplin and us? In our life, monitoring is very common. Almost every elevator get a monitor. The Sai Yeung Choi Street is supervised by police force. In mainland China, a fitting room of a boutique got a monitor in order to pretend someone to stead the clothes by putting them into their bags in fitting room, where a place that was hidden originally. Even what you did at home would be captured by others! The concept of privacy and human rights are violated seriously.

The way that how Charlie Chaplin do his work just like how we rely on the digital social media. Even people is on their way in public transports like bus and trains, 99% of them are looking at their smart phone and surfing on Facebook or chatting with friends on Whatsapp. While at home, people just turn on their computer, open a browser, and type www.facebook.com. After logging in, their would just keep clicking refresh button every 5 minutes and spend the whole afternoon like this. It is somehow like compulsive and become addicted. That is how technology changes the life of human.