These smart cities use a range of devices such as cameras, sensors, and artificial intelligence to attempt central management of everything from traffic and public safety to environmental monitoring. It's not something out of George Orwell's daydreams; it's happening now.

Proponents of smart cities will sing songs about their efficiency. Traffic lights adjust in real-time to traffic conditions, reducing congestion and shortening commutes. Smart waste management systems notify city services when trash bins are full, optimizing collection routes and frequencies. Public safety could be enhanced through the use of networked cameras and environmental sensors that can detect crimes or hazards as they occur.

But all this efficiency comes with an unwanted side of surveillance. You can't even tiptoe through the tulips anymore without a drone noting your preference for floral routes. The city becomes a stage, and we're all unwitting actors in a play where we didn't audition, directed by Big Brother himself. They say it's for safety and convenience, but there's something profoundly unsettling about being watched every time you step out to buy milk.

Moreover, the control and ownership of this data resides predominantly in the hands of corporations that often have the privacy ethics of a peeping Tom. They hold the keys to our data and can share our personal habits with anyone from marketers to government agencies.

This new era of surveillance isn't just about privacy. It's a profound shift in the power dynamics between the state and the individual. It tips the balance overwhelmingly in favor of the observer. In a society where everyone is watched, the watched are not free. This surveillance creates a chilling effect on behavior, stifling dissent and discouraging participation in civil society.