Cory Doctorow and Charles Stross are renowned authors of the Canadian and British origin respectively. In their books they reminiscent events and stories that are fictional and fascinating in nature. It does not only choreographs the events in the novellas but also entertain the readers. The paper will focus on "The concrete jungle" by Charles and "Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom" by Cory with the sole reason of unraveling how mass surveillance controls the characters of the novellas. Furthermore, an argument will be elaborated to posit how the general public react to such optimizing situation in the novels Discussion
From the novel of Down and Out in the magic kingdom, it can be argued that the author makes fictional events to make it more appealing to the readers. First, the author orchestrates how Dan a rich and popular guy among the people has run poor and he believes that rejuvenation of the current status is difficult. However, he meets with Julius and Lil who help him rebuild his life. Despite that, he works concurrently with Julius enemy and competitor ensures Julius downfall. Julius becomes the drive of the whole novella through his acts. From the settings of the novel, the author explains that two parties have ad hoc groups who all work for the Whuffie, the park, and Hall of the president. The groups have their own committee that controls the society. The author of the book gives an intricate elaboration of how property in possession can be under surveillance. It should be noted that Julius is murdered but fictionally re-arises only to realize that Debra's ad hoc group had taken over the Hall of Presidents which was under his jurisdiction. (Doctorow, p 53) From the novel, it can be stated that the fear and betrayal becomes the driving force of the characters in the play. The author shows how belief in Dan, had cost Julius to lose his Whuffie and valuable assets such as the Haunted Mission.
In the novel, Julius fails to account for his recovery after death based on the general attention, rebellion, and betrayal he gets from the people who are in close proximity to him. Furthermore, in the fictional novel, the author posits of how there is the rivalry between different parties. According to the author, Julius is monitored closely which results in his murder however he refreshes after some time. The death and resurfacing in the fictional novel alters his progress. It can be argued that the general public has a negative influence on Julius life after he had refreshed which makes his life to stagnate as evidenced from the applause that the people make when Julius loses the Haunted Mansion.
Despite that other characters such as Dan and Debra play a role in Julius downfall as evidenced by Dan's testimony that states that "it fell to Lil to make sure that there were no bugs in the meager attractions of Liberty Square."(Doctorow p43) Despite Dan having been helped by Julius to re-establish himself he fights Julius. It can be argued that Dan and Debra in the setting are betrayers as they plot Julius death, and even ensure that he is chased away from the ad hoc group. The fight for power is the result of the struggle in the novel. Furthermore, it goes to the extent that Debra convinces Dan by stating "It's good versus evil"(Doctorow p63). She further tricks the people that Julius should not be in charge of the Hall of the president. However, it can be stated that Debra faces opposition at the end when Dan gives an account of the happenings. Due to the sympathy of the people, Julius regains his Whuffie. (Doctorow p78)The public has a major influence in the operations of the characters in the play and thus any hoodwink by the character can taint the general image of the affected character as expressed in the novel.
In the novel of "The Concrete Jungle", the author shows how the discovery of the SCORPION STARE determines the fate of Bob Howard. The SCORPION STARE is a deadly prevention network that has been intruded and hacked. Bob traces the person who has hacked the prevention network. (Stross, p33) However, in the process, he gets crucial information of Gorgons that are made of experiments connected to the digital rights management (DRM). The experiments are connected to the camera. (Stross, p35) In the process, Bob realizes that several things are happening beyond his knowledge and as an agent of the Laundry organization he is tasked with investigating the activities that are being undertaken. It can be argued that the idea of Bob realizing charred corpse of an animal is an indication that the organization carrying out the experiment does not want the general public to know of their dealings. When he is involved in the process of knowing the tests, he realizes that the charred animal is that of a cow. Further evidence of "Core temperature two six six, two six seven . . . stable" is an indication the animal in the research experiment had been burnt hours ago. (Stross p22)
It can be argued further that as an agent involved in discovering the underground process, Bob enjoys security from the police department and the top officials. It is on the basis that he is entrusted to carry out research of crucial information within the organization. More so it can be said that Bob is not affected by the political forces within the institution and that is why he is entrusted by the organization. The ability to identify the presence of charred animals, have a footage of the process on the camera is an indication of the value of the experiment. At one point, he is heard stating "Operator? Police dispatch, please. Police dispatch? (Stross, p23) It is clear indication that he believes that informing the police would serve the best interests. From the novel, it can be stated the research on gorgonian outlines how surveillance by the agents and the people within the organization is taken seriously. The experiments are believed to have some relevance to the organization. Furthermore, the presence of research experiments that are done in closed supervision indicates that what was done as explained in the novella was restrictive. In addition to that, the use of cameras in the surveillance process as expressed by the author in the book, makes it appear that the information was quite secretive. Therefore it can be stated that the general public had limited access to most of the operations of the organizations.
Conclusion
Summatively, it can be stated that Julius was betrayed which made the general public have a negative image towards him. The author of the story, further dictates how the political power had adverse effects and that is why the general public in the book had a different perspective on Julius. However, the testimony by Dan changes the tone of the public who later view Debra as an evil and witty minded. In the other novella of "The Concrete Jungle," the author describes how Bob is tasked with unmasking the events as a secret agent. The hacking of the system in the novella becomes Bob's turning point as he is able to determine the experiments that are being undertaken. Despite the willingness and efforts that he puts in, the question that remains in the balance is the interaction and the perception by the public of his involvement. It can, therefore, be stated that the discovery of the SCORPION STARE helps him to unravel the happening that is taking place which reassures him of the uncertainties within
Works Cited
Doctorow, Cory. Down and out in the magic kingdom. Macmillan, 2003.
Stross, Charles. The atrocity archives. Vol. 1. Penguin, 2004.
