Task 1
Panopticism in modern society.
There are many many areas in society where panopticism affects us, generally in a more subtle manor that the panoptic prison. We are constantly under surveillance where we self regulate -
Offices, they used to be cellular now they are open plan with the aim for 'team work' however the effect is to the manager/the surveyor can see everyone leaving the workers under pressure to work harder achieve the goals and targets.
Bars - most new bars are open plan so the observers/bouncers/staff can manage and watch over the people in the bar. There are no snugs or hideaways where people are hidden and can do wrong without being watched.
Google Earth - CCTV - Leeds Uni Library - Prisons - Hospitals - Schools.
We are told open plan offices promote team work, encourage us and promote more opportunities to observe and learn from other workers with more experience or different skills, when in actual fact they are extremely panoptic. "the gaze is alert everywhere" (Panopticism - Michael Foucault pg76) Foucault describes the surveyors gaze, which in this case is the manager/supervisor of the office, they are located in the room, so he/she can see every one no-one is hidden by small cellular offices, they are on full view to the surveyor encouraging self regulation. Some open plan offices are arranged so the workers can not see of hear each other freely, "no more bars, no more chains, no more heavy locks; all that the separations should clear and the openings well arranged." (Panopticism - Michael Foucault pg 83) Similar to the panoptic prisons promoting self regulation, the workers must be productive, achieve and work hard as the surveyor can see each individual desk where the workers are and what they are doing "this enclosed, segmented space, observed at every point, in which the individuals are inserted in a fixed place." (Michael Foucault - Panopticism pg 77) Most open plan offices located in high rise buildings, typically with the head or top office at the top of the building, giving you a sense of hierarchy but not just that, you are constantly reminded that you ware being looked down on by the boss Foucault describes this "he is seen but he does not see" (Micahel Foucault - Panopticism pg 80) you may never have seen or know who the top managers of the building are or who is even watching you. But you now you are being watched so you have to stay in order, behave and act appropriately. Most of open plan high rise offices have large windows in taking a large amount of light keeping the room bring and in view at all times. "full lighting and the eye of the supervisor capture better than darkness, which ultimately protected, visibility is a trap." (Michael Faucault - Panopticism pg 80) The open plan structure of the office gives no opportunity to hide away again promoting self regulation, making the workers more productive and useful.