Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? is a Latin phrase from the Roman poet Juvenal, which literally translates to "Who will guard the guards themselves?", and is variously translated in colloquial English as "Who watches the watchmen?", "Who watches the watchers?", "Who will guard the guards?", "Who shall watch the watchers?", "Who polices the police?" or other similar translations.
One well-known contemporary interpretation of this concept is found in the graphic novel Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, which takes its name from this phrase. Another is an episode of the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, titled "Who Watches the Watchers." A second novel uses this expression: Dan Brown's Digital Fortress. It discusses the intricate balance between national security and personal privacy: who has the right to peek in others' emails in the name of national security - Who will guard them? Another is the novel Thud! by Terry Pratchett and various other novels by the same author, it is a phrase often used by Samuel Vimes and the other members of the Ankh Morpork city watch. In Thud! the question is answered when a theoretical watchman in Sam Vimes' consciousness says that he watches him, similar to a conscience. Sam has created a watcher in his own mind who watches him, and therefore is watching himself. The watchman himself watches the watchmen. See paradox and turtles all the way down. In an episode of Justice League Unlimited, Batman quietly poses the question to Green Arrow as regards the founding members of the League. Green Arrow responds that the League's extended membership "[has] it covered."
Showing posts with label cymru. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cymru. Show all posts
Monday, 16 March 2009
Test Post: Who Watches The Watchmen?
A test post.
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