What does freedom mean to me?

I was going to write how great our freedom's are in the UK - and I still think we have incredible freedoms compared to some countries.

Here I am tapping away at my laptop, communicating my ideas and thoughts with ease. That's been one of the fundamental attractions of the internet: through it we are free to be whoever we want to be, and articulate our opinion and viewpoint in a multitude of ways. And that's true - to a point. After all, I am giving my opinion on what freedom means to me...

But then, having read this story I don't think we can ever become complacent about bigger picture stuff.

Topline, according to papers obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, it appears that UK police forces will be using drones - the kind they use in Afghanistan - to monitor civilians, from anti-social drivers, to protesters and everything in between.

Check out this video on what drones might be used:



So perhaps, in the future, will freedom mean not having to look up into the sky and wonder who's watching our every move?

Will it mean not worrying if a profile has been created on you just because you happen to be on a legitimate protest?

"Freedom", it seems, is more and more about what we can do within a set of ever-increasing rules. And while I agree that some rules are needed (I am not an advocate of anarchy), I think some "rules" could be a bit of a slippery slope.

Never before have we been so monitored, so filmed, so scanned and for what reason? The argument goes if you've got nothing to hide, you've got nothing to worry about. But what if I simply don't want to be "found" - what if I value my little bit of un-monitored self? Is real-life privacy - not virtual; there is still a choice to being "online" - now an unachievable freedom?

Image credited to:Numerouno