The idea of ultimate control and surveillance at all times has a certain eeriness and oppressive manner to it. Michel Foucault (1977) encourages the reader to question the roles of observer and the participant. This suggests power and control are a result of which of the two positions you are in. He also covers the idea of surveillance in general and the way structures such as the Panopticon which contains ‘so many cages, so many small theatres, in which actor is alone, perfectly individualized and constantly visible.’ (p. 200). The ‘actor’ in this case being a prisoner. The notion of ‘he is seen but does not see’ prompted me to think of my work environment.
Where I work the boss and owner of the store has a camera system set up in store, which has 4 cameras covering the entire area of the store. This system is hooked up to his computer at home meaning that at any time he could potentially be watching us from home. The fact we don’t know when he is or isn’t watching us prevents us from doing things we shouldn’t e.g. checking our phones or standing around (most of the time) because of the confidentiality of the observer. Although he probably isn’t watching there have been instances where he has caught people out meaning, we just assume he’s watching ALL the time and are reluctant to take risks.
‘The Panopticon, on the other hand, must be understood as a generalisable model of functioning, a way of defining power relations in terms of everyday life of men.’ (p. 205) When applying it to my work environment it is clear how the control and mastery of the survellience of his workers is what defines the power relationships between us and him.
It says a lot about the power of paranoia and it’s ability to motivate ones actions and suggests that maybe the greatest disciplinary tool comes in the form of the confidential and unknown.
Bibliography
Foucault, M., 1977, ‘Panopticism’ in Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison, translated by Alan Sheridan, Penguin,
London, pp 195-228.
No comments:
Post a Comment