Discussion Forum 4: Bentham’s Panopticon

Jeremy Bentham proposed to build a Pantopticon, a prison that allows a watchman to observe occupants without the occupants knowing whether or not they are being watched. The basic setup of Bentham’s panopticon is this: there is a central tower surrounded by cells. In the central tower is the watchman. In the cells are prisoners – or workers, or children, depending on the use of the building. The tower shines bright light so that the watchman is able to see everyone in the cells. The people in the cells, however, aren’t able to see the watchman, and therefore have to assume that they are always under observation.

Do you see parallels between Bentham’s Panopticon and modern data surveillance, such as through CCTV or social media? Please elaborate upon reading the article, titled “What does the panopticon mean in the age of digital surveillance?”

Please leave at least three comments. One is your original contribution. And two comments are you replies to your classmates. Deadline: 09/26/21, 11:59 pm. 

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