Dear Editor:
In today’s world, the concept of privacy in no longer accepted. If you go out into any community, you must accept that there are possibly hundreds of eyes watching you, cameras at the ready, to catch the moment. You are rarely alone.
Stores have hidden cameras to catch the thieves — and you; homeowners have telescopes and binoculars to keep an eye on birds — as well as their neighbours. The long lenses of telescopic cameras are everywhere.
Most people living with views of Lake Okanagan keep telescopes so as to keep an eye out on the water for boaters, some of whom may be in difficulty, but also on those who may think they are far enough away so that they won’t be seen.
To keep from being seen nowadays, you really must find a dark corner of the world, draw your shades, and pretend no one can see you.
However, keeping your window shades drawn could be construed as having something to hide.
You like your privacy, you say. Well and good, but, as I’ve suggested, that is no longer an affordable notion when everyone seems to have a camera in their hands, or there are satellites in the sky — with cameras that can read the license plate on your car.
The Dutch are a nation of friendly and open people.
You rarely see a Holland home where the blinds are drawn. Other Europeans are not of like mind.
Canadians tend to be open. At least most Canadians.
I’d like to think that we are, by and large, living in a friendly nation.
I’d like to think that Penticton and Summerland have more than their fair share of friendly neighbours; people who aren’t afraid to open their doors when someone comes knocking; aren’t worried when someone comes on to their property; don’t live behind iron gates and high fences.
As I said, privacy is a thing of the past.
Frank Martens
Summerland