Michael Foucault has recently become a major figure in my life. We've spent all semester reading and interpreting governmentality in the context of the EU. I won't go into detail because Focault's ideas are extremely complicated and I'm already avoiding writing about in my papers as evidenced by the fact I'm writing in my blog instead of on a blank Word document. But for people interested I've found this article here and this awesome youtube video here nicely explain the main ideas, although I won't pretend to have an extra firm grasp on his ideas.
The panopticon is a prison layout conceived by Jeremy Bentham in the 1790's and is a circular structure in which the cells are in the walls and the guards tower is in the center of the building. The prisoners are never be able to tell if the guard is in the tower watching them. The aim of the structure is to psychologically ingrain the idea that as a prisoner, you are being constantly observed and therefore constantly monitoring themselves. Typically it is considered inhumane because of psychological stress.
Below is a photo of a version of the panopticon built in Cuba.
Foucault often uses the panopticon to describe how society is constantly under an invisible surveillance by others in the society that pushes individuals to monitor even their tiniest behaviors. As he puts it, "The Panopticon is an ideal architectural figure of modern disciplinary power. The Panopticon creates a consciousness of permanent visibility as a form of power, where no bars, chains, and heavy locks are necessary for domination any more."
So that's Foucault's panopticon, now I'd like to show you my own panopticon, the Grimm Zentrum library at Humboldt University.
Yeah, its a panopticon.
In the photo you can tell that from any of the desks you can monitor your neighbors and basically anyone in the study desk area to MAKE SURE THEYRE STUDYING. The peer pressure will keep you from watching TV shows on your lap.
Ahhh so yes I've been living in this panopticon because its (finally) finals.
[Edit]: Apparently not everyone thinks this library is a physiological torture chamber. Guess what library made it into a list of the most beautiful libraries in the world. And ha ha ha Seattle Public Library is the third photo down... also an ugly uncomfortable library. Sigh, modern libraries are so ugly and feel like doctor offices, where are the comfy chairs and soft corners?
The panopticon is a prison layout conceived by Jeremy Bentham in the 1790's and is a circular structure in which the cells are in the walls and the guards tower is in the center of the building. The prisoners are never be able to tell if the guard is in the tower watching them. The aim of the structure is to psychologically ingrain the idea that as a prisoner, you are being constantly observed and therefore constantly monitoring themselves. Typically it is considered inhumane because of psychological stress.
Below is a photo of a version of the panopticon built in Cuba.
Foucault often uses the panopticon to describe how society is constantly under an invisible surveillance by others in the society that pushes individuals to monitor even their tiniest behaviors. As he puts it, "The Panopticon is an ideal architectural figure of modern disciplinary power. The Panopticon creates a consciousness of permanent visibility as a form of power, where no bars, chains, and heavy locks are necessary for domination any more."
So that's Foucault's panopticon, now I'd like to show you my own panopticon, the Grimm Zentrum library at Humboldt University.
Yeah, its a panopticon.
In the photo you can tell that from any of the desks you can monitor your neighbors and basically anyone in the study desk area to MAKE SURE THEYRE STUDYING. The peer pressure will keep you from watching TV shows on your lap.
Ahhh so yes I've been living in this panopticon because its (finally) finals.
[Edit]: Apparently not everyone thinks this library is a physiological torture chamber. Guess what library made it into a list of the most beautiful libraries in the world. And ha ha ha Seattle Public Library is the third photo down... also an ugly uncomfortable library. Sigh, modern libraries are so ugly and feel like doctor offices, where are the comfy chairs and soft corners?
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