Different social theories claim that every behavior can be modified to a better one. Panopticism is one of these theories, which has its origins in the book “Discipline and Punish” by Michel Foucault. The french philosopher spent a lot of years examining human behaviors and trying to find ways how to improve it, make it better and easier for others to understand. He collected his knowledge in the book and presented it to society, which should change after got acquainted with the message of the book. He used the panopticon to illustrate the tendency of subjugating citizens by disciplinary societies and prospered in his aspirations. In the book the punishment appears to be the inherent part of the legal process.
Some centuries ago principles of panopticism were used as methods of tracing “the surveillance tendencies of disciplinarian societies”, but it did not lose its relevance. Nowadays panopticism is implemented in different fields of culture: in literature and art, in architecture and design. In architecture it allows watching people excluding possibility to be noticed. Changes that may be are the different attitude to such a tracking – in modern world it is considered to be the art itself, which is accompanied by well-established architecture. The works of panopticism are used in prisons and give the watchmen the right to observe everything from the blind zone.
The origin of such a principle to be invented and developed for functionalizing was the idea of Samuel Bentham. The man had to arrange his workforce properly: to do it he put his unskilled workforce around him in circle and tried to concentrate on every aspect, and he succeeded. He was able to keep his eye on everyone`s movements and actions. His brother Jeremy managed to implement it into the arrangement of schools, factories, hospitals and prisons. Jeremy Bentham was a philosopher, who had a talent to persuade people and convey ideas clearly and in an accessible way, so the proposal was taken in consideration. This way, some buildings got the shape of a circle. One of the panopticons gave great promises, but the building of the complex was abandoned by the government. Below is the abandoned Presidio Modelo complex of Cuba in 1995 (Photo retrieved from The Guardian).
Nevertheless, this way of observing people being “incognito” is effective. The victims of it are powerless in withstanding their safe position – prisoners will be watched anyway. There is no place to hide and nowhere to run, as being in the circle provides splendid outlook and guarantees total supervision over people of this circle. Michel Foucault claimed that people, who were generalized and combined into one group of objects of observation, increased their power to reinforce one another according to the circular process, according to which they were watched.
Using panopticon as a method to control citizens, which is different from violent tortures and death cameras, the modern democratic state shows its awareness of any matter of the lives of ordinary people. The state offers a powerful machine for intellectual tortures that coerce us to allow other people`s observation of our lives and doings. With such a machine of constant observation the surveillance is controlled and internalized. Of course, the design of panopticism greatly increases the security and assures safety for those, who are watched: prisoners are visible to watchmen, who are positioned in the center of the circle – in the tower and can be rescued in case of necessity. Social power and control are less dependent on practice, when one is watched all the time and has no opportunity to deny his fault. For a fault the perpetrator is punished hard or even tortured, and the main aspect is that it is done for the delinquency that seemed to be invisible to him, but was clearly seen by the watchmen.
As it is mentioned above, the panoptic style of architecture can be used not only in prisons, but in hospitals, schools and factories – in places, where the high level of surveillance is needed. Following the requirements for this style one can get results that will be helpful in case of danger or any incident. Strict lines of buildings, tier disposition of cells and modern devices of supervision are the keys to proper functionalizing of a facility, which is to manage the order of things and actions. Every facility done in such a style is deterrent and redoubt at a first sight, but it amuses every spectator with its extraordinary structure and the architecture that is to protect and watch those, who are in the buildings and want to break ranks of discipline.
According to Koskela, panopticon is no longer useful in modern society, as those, who want to watch other people, can provide the rooms with cameras and never let people know about it. This method of observing seems to be less costly considering human outlays, but the process of computer monitoring requires a lot of efforts made, as not every person can manage the proper setting, adjustment and functioning of the cameras. This way, it is not the better way to get rid of old-fashioned and non-technical approaches to surveillance, although it is widely used in today`s society.
With the high level of industrialization, one cannot be isolated from the worldwide watch-eye. We are always observed by someone, and most of time we are not aware of it. The process of watching is on the high stage, when it cannot be fixed, and nobody can complain for it. Cameras and other devices for surveillance are spread everywhere. Firstly, they were for security reasons, but now they are the inseparable part of every building`s design. Cameras supplement each social facility with the higher level of reliance and confidence in the law and order.
Nowadays neither high-quality material on the walls nor the well-established outlook provides the certainty of this object – only the use of cameras attests the proper execution of the working process. The level of surveillance for every social facility should be high, as there are many dangers and hitches from the side of attackers, whose aim is to shake the security state and reputation of a facility. Alas, surveillance is everywhere, and there is no place to hide, except, maybe, the architecture buildings of panopticon. One should hide in the center and watch others while they are trying to reveal the lawbreaker. “Cam era” may simplify our lives, but it is a strange feeling – to be a prisoner and being watched every minute, when you are not chained. It gives the feeling of being under control of the government, and the aftertaste of this fact`s perception does not treat souls and minds.
Such devices can be seen everywhere now. They are the improved versions of implementation of panopticism in modern life. The cameras help to self-regulate people`s behaviors and actions, as they know they are observed and try to be as inconspicuous as possible in order to attract little attention to their personality. Panopticon now acts as a metaphor for this type of power – uncontrolled, but mighty. It is still the example of regulating attitudes and behaviors by societies, which have no desire to improve these ambitions by providing significant changes. Notional talks and actions can prevent mass protests and violations against unsatisfactory respect to ordinary people from the side of the government, which seeks to watch every move people do.
As a consequence one can mention the impact the Bentham`s panopticon carries now: it is the prototype of the ideal way of watching. At present, nobody remembers the primal purpose of circle buildings to be built – to control the behaviors of offenders and ill people. It is used to control us all, and if the machine of observing is running, it cannot be stopped; no one can change its route. Everyone should obey and follow it.
Bibliography
“Examples in Today’s Society”. Blog at WordPress. November 30, 2012. Accessed May 2, 2016. https://lock2750.wordpress.com/2012/11/30/examples-in-todays-society/
Foucault, Michel. “Discipline and Punishment: The Birth of the Prison”. Trans. Alan Sheridan. New York: Vintage Books, 1977.
Koskela, Hille. ““Cam era”: The Contemporary Urban Panopticon”. Surveillance and Society, 1 (3): 292-313, 2003. http://www.surveillance-and-society.org/articles1(3)/camera.pdf
Mason, Moya K. “Foucault and His Panopticon”. Accessed May 2, 2016. http://www.moyak.com/papers/michel-foucault-power.html
McMullan, Thomas. “What Does the Panopticon Mean in the Age of Digital Surveillance?” The Guardian. July 23, 2015. Accessed May 2, 2016. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/23/panopticon-digital-surveillance-jeremy-bentham
Strurken, Marita, Carthwright, Lisa. “Practices of Looking: An Introduction to Visual Culture”. Great Britain: Oxford University Press. 96 - 100.
