Who's Watching Whom?

In 1984, we worried about Big Brother watching us. There was some dust kicked up when cameras were installed on stoplights to catch those errant motorists who figured they could just skip the red when no one was looking. Because now someone is always looking.
Early on January 1st, a crying woman ran and started banging on a door, pleading for help. A man exited a white sedan, and quickly ran up behind her before throwing her onto the ground and kicking her in the stomach. “Get in the car,” he said, as she struggled. The man proceeds to drag her by the hair towards the same car before driving off. We know this because it was captured on someone's Nest doorbell camera. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police had requested the public’s help in identifying the victim and assailant. They announced in a statement that a twenty-three year old suspect, Darnell Rodgers, had been arrested on January 2nd. because of tips provided provided by the public.
Justice served. Cold.
So how do we feel about having all these cameras taking footage from doorsteps and alcoves on every street and parking lot? How do those neighbors of yours who picked the day the Google van was driving past to try out what they believed was their secret spot for nude sunbathing? Out of the realm of speculation, back in the real world, the guy across the street had his house broken into a month ago. He replaced the sliding glass door and felt relieved enough that nothing else seemed to be missing. Except for that peace of mind he had once courted. So he bought himself a camera that stares out across his front yard and into ours. Not that I was considering doing anything lewd, or mildly illegal. As for our neighbor, he told me that now he can check the app on his phone, "whenever I get the feeling - you know." 
I didn't exactly. After our house was burglarized some years ago, I figured that we were probably safe for a while, at least until the bad guys gave us a chance to replace all the cool stuff they had taken in the first round. Which doesn't mean that I am immune to the thought of home security. At least three times over the holiday season as my wife and I discussed how we might gift ourselves we found ourselves standing in front of the home security display at Best Buy. One of these stops was accompanied by the story of a woman whose bedroom security was violated by a hacker who gained access to her goings-on. Safe, secure, creepy.
All of which makes me remember the lesson I learned way back in 1977. Upon entering the detention bay on the Death Star, the first thing Han, Luke and Chewie do is destroy the cameras so no one can see them trying to rescue the Princess. And these were the good guys. I guess I hope that whatever home security I come up with is better than the Empire's.