Name________________________Step 1: Comparison Chart for NY Times article and 1984

Directions: Using the NY Times article and 1984, complete the following chart. Purposes

What is the purpose of invading people’s privacy through technology in each society?

1984:

Article:

ParticipantsWho are the ones participating in the privacy

invasion? Explain.1984:

Article:

VictimsWho are the victims of privacy invasion? How?

Give specific examples for each.1984:

Article:

MeansHow is privacy invaded in each society? What are

the means? Explain the differences/similarities.

1984:

Article:

The BrothersWho are Big Brother and Little Brother?

1984 (Big Brother):

Article (Little Brother):

Private vs. PublicWhat constitutes the public and private realms in

each society?

1984:

Article:

Step 2: Socratic Seminar PreparationDirections: In preparation for our Socratic Seminar, respond thoroughly to the following questions. You must write in full, complete sentences. You may want to use a separate sheet of paper. As this is preparation for a formal discussion that counts as a quiz grade, one sentence responses are not sufficient. Analyze each question thoroughly. Any question with a star next to it must have an answer that includes lines/quotes and/or page numbers from the article or book. You may discuss the questions with a partner in order to get ideas.

1.) Under what circumstances, if any, do you believe that it is okay to invade people’s privacy? Why?2.) What does Mr. Kirn mean when he says that the invasion of privacy has been “democratized”? Do you agree? How has this

occurred? 3.) How are today’s communication technologies and communicators different from those Orwell imagined in 1984?****4.) Do you agree or disagree with Mr. Kirn that the actions of Tyler Clementi’s roommate are “more disturbing” than those of

Orwell’s Big Brother?****5.) In what way, according to Mr. Kirn, can the actions of “Little Brother” benefit society? Do you think these are truly beneficial?

****6.) How has today’s technology blurred the lines between what’s public and what’s private? Do you agree with this? Why/why

not?****7.) What does Mr. Kirn mean when he says modern technology contributes to the fragmentation of society?****8.) Under what circumstances, if any, do you believe that it is okay to invade people’s privacy?