Conclusion

The Circle portrays what could be a realistic society in our future. The idea that such corruption, transparency and the lack of privacy could be right around the corner is shocking. Eggers novel really brings to light the consequences of advanced technology that are factually possible in our society. Transparency is one of the most shocking and prominent ideas Eggers brings life to. With the technology our society has been provided, the amount one can learn online is shocking. Furthermore, the idea that anyone can access all information isn't difficult either. We already see it everyday when we search online. Algorithms online are learning information that we didn't technically give permission to release. With this technology already in the works, soon more and more information will be exposed for the view of the public. As well as more footage of public spaces is possible in our society. There is always the complaint of being unsafe when no one is around to witness an attack. However, with more cameras and the ability for anyone to access them, society would have a weight lifted off their shoulders. This could definitely have substantial credibility in our world as it does in the novel.

This information isn't possible without dataveillance. Although Eggers never explicitly states the term dataveillance, all of his arguments are surrounded by it. To gain access to information the technology itself needs to educate itself. The live camera feeds that are discussed in The Circle, is the prime example of dataveillance that Lyons argues in his article. Those who wear them around their necks are providing a look into their lives through this technology. In our society, algorithms are gathering dataveillance like the cameras. They learn more about the user, the more the user is online. Like algorithms, the live cameras learn what the audience enjoys through their feedback and will alter the view or angle of the camera in order to elevate its results, all while giving feedback to the camera owner in order to relay what its audience desires. Dataveillance is the underlying reason how technology is advancing so quickly in the book and how it has potential to really expound in real life.

Last but not least, the positive outcome of transparency throughout the book and in real life: absence-in-presence. The ability that technology has provided us to be in two places at once has transformed our society as well as represented in The Circle. In the book, examples of climbing mountains or visiting a historic site were made possible by live camera feeds of explorers. In our society, web cameras and wearable technology such as GoPro's have provided this same ability. This advancement in technology really expands our society into multiple spaces and new places that one might never be able to discover in their own life time. When used properly, I think being absence-in-presence has great potential and is a great argument brought up by Eggers.

Overall, Eggers provides an intriguing and possible perception of a world where technology controls all. I agree with his arguments that too much knowledge and transparency in society can be extremely detrimental (as we saw in Mae's case). However, I also agree with his portrayal of the possibility of such a society that could better our experiences. Maybe lets just hold off on everybody wearing a camera because I don't know how interesting it would be for someone to watch a live feed of me studying for hours on end... Nonetheless, I think and strongly support Eggers underlying argument that technology has the ability to transform one's life and when used with caution it can really enhance our everyday's experience.