The results of the “Big Brother” effect predicted by him in his novel are now frequently seen in our daily newspapers. With the crime rate in Ireland, particularly the alarming increase in burglaries, homeowners are becoming increasingly concerned. Thousands of people are investing in high-tech security systems to protect their homes from burglaries. With the SSIA still maturing, electronic gates, high fences, motion sensors and CCTV in particular are popping up in communities across the country. These systems are installed to discourage thieves from entering people's homes, but homeowners don't seem to realize that by having such a high level of security, they are literally telling people that they have something to protect. Apart from this, these systems also have side effects on the people who installed them. Gone is the feeling of neighborhood and community that rural Ireland boasted for so many years. With the growing number of ribbon settlements in rural areas, things are getting to a point where people have never even met their neighbors. Sturdy doors and sturdy gates can keep unwanted visitors out, but they also discourage people from “popping in for a chat”. You have to wonder where it will end. It has been shown that over 55% of people who installed home alarms in 2005 did so after being robbed themselves. This is effectively “closing the stable door after the horse has bolted,” as statistics show that people are rarely robbed in more than one room.