Saturday, 10 March 2012

Panopticism Task 1


We are constantly reminded in various ways that our lives are being recorded and watched, in today’s modern society one of the main panoptic systems in our society is CCTV, it records and watches our every action, Foucault states, “visibility is a trap” the idea that our every action is being watched is enough to spark off a panoptic effect which will make the individual regulate themselves due to the fear of being caught out. 
This CCTV sign even though its not an actual recording device also sets off the idea that were being watched or as Foucault states “a system of permanent registration” the sign is a permanent reminded that you are constantly being watched.

Wherever we go we are faced with CCTV camera’s everywhere within our modern day society Foucault states, “he is seen, but he doesn’t see” the feeling of being watched is constant which controls the individual, Foucault describes it as “a guarantee of order”.
CCTV is very obvious wherever you go, the camera’s aren’t well hidden and the signs are bright and in the open, you are able to see the camera but you cannot see who is watching you, Foucault describes this as, “visibility that assures the automatic function of power”.  The idea of CCTV is not to catch people out but to make them aware that they are being monitored in order for them to control themselves.  





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