The Surveillance State

Big Data, Freedom, and You

By: Paul Rosenzweig, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Paul Rosenzweig

Length: 12 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

A man shoots down a drone that is flying over his private property. A retail store uses predictive data analytics to send pregnancy-related advertising to a teenager who has not told her parents about her condition. A police officer places a GPS device on a suspected criminal's car to follow him and build a case against him.

The news is full of such stories, in which new technologies lead to dilemmas that could not have been imagined just a few decades ago. The 21st century has seen remarkable technological advances, with many wonderful benefits. But with these advances come new questions about privacy, security, civil liberties, and more.

Big Data is here, which means that government and private industries are collecting massive amounts of information about each of us - information that may be used in marketing, to help solve criminal investigations, and to promote the interests of national security. Pandora's box has been opened, but in many ways the government is behind the times, relying on legislation from the 1970s to inform its stance on regulating the collection and use of this information.

Taught by Professor Rosenzweig, JD, esteemed legal expert and professorial lecturer at The George Washington University School of Law, these 24 revealing lectures tackle the tough questions about surveillance and data in the 21st century. With Professor Rosenzweig's guidance, you'll scrutinize our system of oversight for intelligence agencies, and you'll consider the ways in which the information that is collected impacts (or potentially impacts) our civil liberties.

This is your reliable source for all the facts you need to make your own reasonable choices - and take a first step toward an empowered future.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2016 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2016 The Great Courses

There really is no such thing as privacy anymore !

very eye opening. I hope more people can become aware of what's going on around us in this information age. thanks for a great course!!

Unbiased

This is the first course oriented book which I have read. I wasn't really sure if this format would keep me engaged as I was concerned it might be overly dry and academic. I'm always happy to be proven wrong by a great book.

What I liked most about this book is that the lectures are presented in an equal and unbiased form. The author is not opinionated about if there is too much or too little surveillance, instead he explains through real and fictional examples how both could potentially be viewed as true.

I've read a lot about surveillance and the laws around it, and I still learned a many things from this book. The author provides an eye opening history of surveillance back as far as the second world war when technology was considered immature to what we have today. It became quickly evident that far reaching and obtrusive surveillance can be accomplished by people without the benefit of technology.

Did you know that only one of the two common methods of unlocking your phone, password and finger print, is protected by law?

Do you think that the speed at which government operates is fast enough to keep up to the rate at which technology is changing surveillance?

This is truly a great book and I would recommend it to everyone. At the end of this book you will really be considering the age old question of who is watching the watchers?

Excellent survey of important issues.

Prof R ably presents a thoughtful canvas of important issues concerning surveillance goals and technology in the hands of government and private people and corporations. He comes from a political background that I don't share and I found myself at odds a few times with some his opinions but they were always presented as such and never interfered with presentation of the subject matter. This is a well done survey of information and ideas to which all of us should pay serious attention.

Interesting from start to finish!

This lecture series gives a history lesson, government lesson, and information technology lesson; while pulling the listener down the rabbit hole of big data and it's uses. It's a trill ride for your mind. A must listen for every citizen.

Very important information

Well informed debate with good examples. Author/reader has done a service to us all with presenting important choices we as a people have to make to ensure our precious freedom.

Great course -- very timely

Great course -- very timely. Recommended to all interested in the current state of security and surveillance

Excellent Presentation

The presentation of this topic was engaging, entertaining and informative. Professor Rosenzweig knows his topic and knows how it should be presented. He is excellent at presenting both sides of the issue and presenting you with the understanding of the struggles and trade-offs.

I couldn't have enjoyed this more than I did.

Highly, highly recommended.

Outstanding Audiobook

Any additional comments?

Of the several hundred Audible books that I have listed to over the past 15 years(fact and fiction), this is clearly the best. Timely, provocative, and all potential biases clearly iterated. Well done.

lots to learn

loved it. I enjoyed this topic and learning from masters. took it in bits to digest the chapters more easily.

Thought provoking course

This is one of the big issues that all humans should care and be informed about. For the most part the course is even handed but there is a clear legal and liberal bent to the teacher. However, it does not diminish the value or reason to engage in this course. Kudos to the great courses for offering this course.