Panopticism

The idea of 'panopticism' still stands in contemporary society today, being used in the most obvious forms, as well as the most discreet. For example; CCTV, Google street maps, speed cameras, where we are always being watched, parking tickets, in which we pay without questioning, all involve clever mental discipline whereby it ends up being the individuals paranoia that disciplines oneself.

The Panopticon model itself is still used in institutions, such as offices - that used to be cellular but are now open plan with the idea that you work harder if you believe you're being watched - bars, and even churches. Foucault explains 'the gaze is alert everywhere' (Foucault, 2000 p 76), which is true even in places such as universities. Our computer suite in university has that feeling too that you are always being watched. Even if there's no-one in the room you are working in, the I.T. staff can still see your screen from their office. There's to be no time wasting or browsing through irrelevant websites, as staff keep a record in the form of an archive of all the websites you have ever been on. You have your own 'segmented, immobile, frozen space' (Foucault, 2000, p 76) by having your own desk space, computer, log-in name and password, but it's hard to chat or spread your work out. You do not know when they are checking your computer: 'He is seen, but he does not see' (Foucault, 2000, p 80). There is an image of a little pair of binoculars to let you know they are keeping an eye on your work to make sure you work productively. They can even send you messages that pop up on your screen to tell you to get back to work. All this is a form of panopticism so that the student working on the computer ends up disciplining him/herself and the staff are actually not needed, unless to offer support if you need help.