The Circles of Creepy Surviellance in Dave Egger’s the Circle

Abstract

Surveillance, the systematic observation of individuals has a long and complex history. The digital age has ushered in an era of unprecedented personal data collection from social media interactions to smartphone location tracking for a constant trial. The objective of the current research is to analyze the pervasiveness of ubiquitous digitalization and its creepy surveillance in Dave Egger’s The Circle (2013). The dystopian novel is significant to explore the chilling consequences of a society obsessed with absolute transparency and openness. The research poses question about ethical concerns of public and private life surrounding modern surveillance methods and challenges they pose for individuals’ privacy and freedom. The research examines the sense of powerlessness where individuals’ actions and choices feel increasingly predetermined by algorithms and unseen forces. The research is qualitative in approach employing textual analysis in detail. The research is an interdisciplinary approach embraces the philosophical and theoretical methods of Friedrich Hegel, Jean Paul-Sartre and Johan Galtung to help literary students to understand the interconnectedness of social media surveillance and peace studies. The research concludes by emphasizing on the need for nuanced conversation about balance between security and fundamental right of privacy. The current research is cross-cultural communication to bridge the gap between English Literature, Mass Surveillance and Peace Studies by applying the concepts of Peace Studies. The research concludes by demonstrating a demarcation between novel’s portrayal of seemingly peaceful society and dissonance of basic human needs.