Thinking Allowed
Sight and Power
Sep 24, 2024
Becca Voelcker, a Lecturer at Goldsmiths, dives into the intricate ties between sight and power, exploring how our visibility shapes societal control. Jeremy Bentham's panopticon serves as a historical backdrop, questioning modern surveillance's role in our daily lives. They discuss the fine line between being seen for recognition versus control, and the evolution of surveillance from targeting criminals to watching everyone. The conversation also touches on the impact of technology on privacy and identity, urging listeners to reflect on their own visibility in a scrutinized world.
28:59
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Quick takeaways
- The historical evolution of surveillance from Jeremy Bentham's panopticon illustrates how visibility has become a mechanism of control in modern society.
- The pervasive data collection practices of surveillance capitalism raise critical questions about personal privacy, consumer rights, and grassroots resistance against such intrusion.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Surveillance
Surveillance, derived from a French term meaning 'watching over,' has transformed significantly since its origins after the French Revolution. Originally created for monitoring suspicious individuals, the concept evolved with Jeremy Bentham's panopticon design, which enabled unseen inspectors to observe inmates, illustrating the historical intertwining of viewing power and control. Today, surveillance extends far beyond the confines of prisons, manifesting as a pervasive feature of modern life, penetrating all aspects of society and everyday interactions through sophisticated technologies. This shift underscores the need to understand how contemporary surveillance influences personal privacy and social dynamics.
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