Now more than ever, society is comfortable being watched. Whether it’s for views, social status or money to win from a TV show — being watched is a tool used for success.
For many readers, they first came across the term Big Brother in George Orwell’s book “1984”. In the book, the dystopian society is characterised by Big Brother watching everyone. When authorities catch the main character, Winston, thinking and acting freely, they torture him to strip away his independence. There, the authorities also destroy his dignity and humanity. At the end of the book, Winston has come to love Big Brother and is content with being watched 24/7.
Though “1984” was written over 70 years ago, its themes and phrases are still relevant today. Now, the term Big Brother alludes to the “1984” book and is now a popular worldwide TV show. The contestants live in one house under 24/7 surveillance, competing to be the last one standing. Here in Nigeria, Big Brother Naija recently welcomed its 10th season with housemates competing for a 150 million naira prize. Tensions are high, daily arguments and challenges keep the show trending on social media.
What we’re watching
Big Brother Naija Season 10 has a lot of drama. With 15 women and 14 men, the housemates live under Big Brother’s constant 24/7 watch. As viewers, our attention is traded for their watchability like precious currency. Their couplings, arguments, and friendships create a perfectly entertaining spectacle.
In just two weeks, fights have sparked over noodles, fake alliances, stolen beds, and who’s faking a “situationship.” Big Soso and Rooboy shared a kiss, then denied everything. Joanna cried three times in one day because Gigi roasted her. Denari was playing Switzerland, but Mide clocked it. Zita’s fans are already calling her “Queen Z.” Isabella and Kanyikumi are already sharing topless moments. It’s messy, watchable, and everyone’s already picking their favourites. Big Brother watches it all, and so do we.
This reality TV universe perfectly mirrors Orwell’s “1984” book. Privacy vanishes, and audiences become thrilled participants in a surveillance show. It feels both playful and chilling. We laugh, gasp, and laugh again, but somewhere in there, we glimpse how easily our attention becomes part of a wider surveillance dance.
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Always watching: surveillance on steroids
The surveillance state doesn’t stop at reality TV; it’s in our phones, feeds, and the way we interact with algorithms. Instagram’s algorithm knows your scrolling habits. TikTok allows creators to share everything from daily routines and dances to glimpses of their private lives — all to stay relevant and potentially get paid. Like Big Brother’s housemates, they trade their privacy for attention. And we watch it all, double-tapping and letting our watch time become currency.
Take Kai Cenat, for instance. He streams for hours and even sleeps on camera. He makes his life consumable, clickable, and wildly profitable. However, is it really freedom or performance? Fans expect 24/7 access to his life. Every emotion and reaction is regarded as content. Kai is happy to sell his personal life and people watch him in real time — a reality Orwell warned about. Just like Winston, we willingly subscribe to being watched. The only difference is now we are entertained — and at times, we occasionally take on the role of Big Brother.
How far does a fandom go?
The Big Brother fandom isn’t just watching the show; they’re living it. Across social media platforms like YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram, fans are creating recaps, viral compilations, and posting commentary. They dissect every move the housemates make. Some channels exist solely to bash certain contestants, turning edited clips into sensationalised versions of people and feeding engagement for the show.
Some dedicated fans even form WhatsApp and text groups, dishing out the latest tea in real time. For many, it becomes more than a show and becomes a borderline obsession. The Big Brother Naija fans even have a history of financially supporting their favourite housemates. I’m sure when Isabella leaves the house, she won’t be thrilled to find the internet flooded with edited clips and memes of her intimate moment with Kanyikumi. The Big Brother Naija fans also have a history of financially supporting their favourite housemates. They provide substantial gifts and donations ranging from apartments, cars, raising money and stocks.
However, the line between fandom and fanaticism often blurs. Housemates aren’t just characters, they’re targets. People stalk some of them after eviction and go as far as harassing them online and in real life. Fans who once watched Big Brother are now playing the role themselves, assuming the position of 24/7 surveillance and judgment. What was once a controlled social experiment has spilt over into an overly surveilled culture where viewers don’t just observe, they participate. And in doing so, some take the role of Big Brother far too literally.
Big Brother began as fiction, morphed into television, and is now a mirror reflecting how comfortable we’ve grown with constant surveillance. We live in a version of Orwell’s book, gladly giving up privacy for likes, follows, airtime, and fleeting fame. There’s no division between content and real life; it’s vanished in the pursuit of being seen.
We laugh at the Big Brother housemates’ mess, but rarely ask what it costs to perform so much, so constantly, for strangers. Surveillance is not just from the algorithm; it is also peer-to-peer. Millions willingly watch and are being watched every single day. Perhaps we don’t fear Big Brother anymore because we’ve become him: one click, one comment and one viral moment at a time.
It’s not only about who’s watching, it’s also about who’s performing, and how much of themselves they’re willing to lose to win.
