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Basically, the government has slowly started to implement a "scoring system" for its citizens that is predicted to be fully in action by 2020.
They will be ranked based on their internet presence, daily activities, financial situation, etc. Your “score” will determine what kind of jobs you can have, flights you can get on, hotels you can stay at, and more.
Some places in China even have TVs or screens up to showcase the 'lower scoring citizens'
Regardless of the political party, most media outlets in America have a very critical and concerned outlook on this issue.
The article I found was from CNN. They were definitely critical as well, but they also focused more on the technology aspect, not so much the infringing of rights.
Quotes:
"In other words, one way to look at the social credit system is not as a perversion of the promise of information technology, but as the logical culmination of the increasing generation and processing of data."
"in that sense, perhaps the most shocking element of the story is not the Chinese government's agenda, but how similar it is to the path technology is taking elsewhere."
https://www.cnn.com/2015/10/27/opinions/china-social-credit-score-creemers/index.html
I used an article from Fox News, which featured a quote from a man who had been banned from flying because of his score. The article had more of a cynical, aggressive tone to it.
Quotes:
"Reviews, such as they might be under such a system, are apparently good. And even if people wouldn’t feel free to tell the truth, it’s not unthinkable that those who had already lived under repression might be relived to finally have a simple Uber-like score for their overall performance."
"What becomes of a culture when its people lose the ability to govern themselves and then the government fails in its mandate to perfect the union and “secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity?”'
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/02/15/hows-your-social-credit-score.html
Liberal Media
Conservative Media
Chinese Media
So I wasn't able to find any articles from China regarding this. I did find a quote from a Business Insider article from a citizen of China, "A 32-year-old entrepreneur, who only gave his name as Chen, told Foreign Policy: "I feel like in the past six months, people's behaviour has gotten better and better.
"For example, when we drive, now we always stop in front of crosswalks. If you don't stop, you will lose your points. "At first, we just worried about losing points, but now we got used to it."'
http://www.businessinsider.com/china-social-credit-system-punishments-and-rewards-explained-2018-4#despite-the-creepiness-of-the-system-human-rights-watch-called-it-chilling-while-botsman-called-it-a-futuristic-vision-of-big-brother-out-of-control-some-citizens-say-its-making-them-better-people-already-10
How is it similar to our novel?
1. Every action is monitored
In 1984, The Party used telescreens to monitor the citizens every action.
Page 33, the telescreen started instructing Winston to try harder on his exercises.
"'Smith!' screamed the shrewish voice from behind the telescreen. '6079 Smith W! Yes, you! Bend lower, please. You can do better than that."
In China, new technology is being used to monitor citizens during their daily task. The use of facial recognition is everywhere. They also have cameras posted everywhere you go.
2. You get no choice
If you want to live in China, you have to be a part of this. You can't dare speak out, either, for you would get punished
In 1984, you also get no choice. If you rebel, you will either be vaporized or tortured, like Winston.
3. The government has all the say
In both situations, the government makes all the rules. In China, they find new technology to exploit people and in 1984 they make up all of the rules
Differences
1984 was more concerned with thought more than actions. In China, your actions are what determine your score and quality of life.
In China, they publish the names of low scoring people. In 1984, the people were just vaporized.
We know now that China has goals of creating a "perfect" society.
Is trying to create a better society worth stepping on people's basic rights?