Exploring the Panopticon: Surveillance Society and Its Modern Implications

Scott McLemee explores the panopticon's enduring relevance as a metaphor for modern surveillance, highlighting its transformational impact from prisons to digital society.

Scott McLemee delves into the persistent significance of the panopticon, a metaphor that continues to resonate in both mainstream and academic discussions.

Origins and Design of the Panopticon

Although it may not be a household term, “panopticon” frequently appears in media narratives, surprising many.

Rooted in Greek, it implies an “all-seeing” presence and is frequently used to characterize what some call the “surveillance society.” This idea highlights the omnipresence of surveillance cameras in public spaces, as well as the ways major corporations track and analyze our online behaviors.

The concept was initially introduced by the British philosopher Jeremy Bentham in the late 18th century as a revolutionary prison design.

While innovative, it raised significant ethical concerns and has since become a staple in conversations around prison reform.

Picture a circular building where each level consists of cells arranged around a central tower.

The staff in this tower have an unobstructed view of all the prisoners, who remain unaware of when they are being watched.

Thanks to one-way mirrors, inmates cannot tell who is observing them or for what purpose, maintaining an atmosphere of uncertainty.

Bentham theorized that this lack of visibility would prompt prisoners to be more morally conscious, potentially instilling a sense of guilt where none existed before.

Expansion of the Concept

Furthermore, Bentham’s vision extended beyond correctional facilities; he proposed that panopticons could also function as workhouses.

Here, inmates would not only work to build character but also earn small allowances, managed for their purported benefit, while generating income to support operational costs.

He believed that this model could be financially sustainable.

Bentham did not limit his revolutionary ideas to prisons; he suggested that a panoptic approach might effectively address issues like homelessness and improve education for children.

He even entertained the notion of applying this methodology to mental health care, highlighting his ambitious yet somewhat austere philanthropic aims.

Although the technology of Bentham’s era limited the full realization of his vision, he tirelessly advocated for his ideas, capturing the attention of various sectors.

Some components of the panopticon found their way into actual prisons during his lifetime, but the comprehensive system he imagined never fully materialized.

Bentham continued to refine his designs, seeking a more holistic implementation.

Contemporary Relevance

Interest in the panopticon resurfaced in the latter half of the 20th century, breaking free from the confines of penal studies and Bentham’s own writings.

It wasn’t until Michel Foucault published *Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison* in 1975 that the panopticon was contextualized within a broader social framework.

Foucault viewed it as a symbol of a new social order, where institutions arose to gather information and exert control over large populations.

From a technocratic standpoint, society’s most troubling aspects become the raw materials necessary for its functioning.

Foucault argued that the panopticon operates as a mechanism designed to shape individuals into conforming members of society.

Those who inhabit the panoptic structure—whether they are prisoners, the needy, or students—find themselves isolated, under constant scrutiny, and cut off from any meaningful interaction with others.

In line with his humanitarian goals, Bentham proposed that visitors should be allowed to ascend to the observation deck of the panopticon.

Foucault wryly noted this provision was meant to prevent the panoptic power from descending into tyranny.

In contemporary discourse, references to the panopticon often intertwine with the experiences of living in a digital age.

This connection likely stems from the lasting influence of *Discipline and Punish*, which has found a place in various academic curricula over the years.

While Bentham believed that future generations would appreciate his ideas, the current interpretations of his vision might baffle him.

The technology associated with the modern panopticon seems to have evolved; instead of curbing undesirable behavior, it frequently fosters a culture of exhibitionism and voyeurism, making the notion of escape feel increasingly elusive.

Source: Insidehighered