The television

[danceluver]

In the novel the thought police watch you through a television. If you weren't under surveillance how would you know they weren't watching you through the television? How would you know that they were going to start watching you? When would you realize they were? What would happen if you were in a house without surveillance visiting while under survellance?

[The Atheist]

Aside from Inner Party members, everyone's telescreen is on all the time.

Clearly, not everyone is watched all of the time, but they certainly are some of the time.

[Teacher]

It is more the concept or threat of being watched than the actual surveillance.

Big Brother has created such an atmosphere of fear that "his people" are ruled by it.

[leogecko]

The whole point is for you not to know when you are being watched.If you don't know when you are being watched, then you will have to act as though you are always being watched.