WHO WILL BE WATCHING YOU?
SIR,—After reading Arnold Beichman's article on March 13, which reveals the threats involved by the progress of technology (the same problem is raised by socialised medicine), may I suggest that if our contemporaries really care for privacy, measures of protection might be devised. As far as legal proceedings are concerned, evidence grounded on taping might he ruled out. As regards personality or psycho-technical :tests applied to job applicants, they might be prohibited, making room for a period of probation—and the unions might see that the prohibition is applied. But if we try to have it both ways, or if we remain passive, we run real risks.
The fact that Justice Brandeis foresaw the danger thirty-five years ago is indeed demoralising, since his warning fell on deaf ears. The fascination of technology, the myth of socialism arc the forces behind these practices. It was observed, thousands of years ago, that there are periods when men are ready to accept servitude. We may well be living in such an age. But 'II nest pas necessaire d'esperer pour enireprendre . . and Mr. Beichman has a claim to our gratitude.
AleXilniel(X, Ain, France PAUL. HARATIER
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