The New Surveillance

Popular culture is sometimes far ahead of academic analysis in identifying important social currents. This is true of the hit song “Every Breath You Take,” sung by a celebrated rock group known as The Police. This song can be heard to suggest various contemporary surveillance devices. Thus “every breath” you take refers to the breath analyzer; “every move” made to the motion detector; “every bond” broken to the polygraph; “every step” taken to the electronic anklet; “every single day” implies continuous monitoring; “every word” spoken refers to bugs, wiretaps, and mikes; “every night you stay” implies infrared devices; “every vow” broken, voice stress analysis; “every smile” faked, brain wave analysis; “every claim” made suggests computer matching. In totality for the singer these mean ‘T’ll be watching you. ”