Panopticism

[Discipline]
1.       Activity, exercise, or a regimen that develops or improves a skill; training.2.       Punishment inflicted by way of correction and training.3.       Behaviour in accord with rules of conduct.

The concept of madness started around the 19^th century having only a few houses around England where only a few “lunatics” would be taken care under special treatment. Before that, there were houses of correction for the unemployed and idle where the idea was to modify their behaviour.

Surveillance, disciplinary power and good behaviour are some concepts that have driven society to many of the mayor human events in history.

An architectural perfect example is the Panopticon; an institutional building designed in the late 18^th century with the only purpose of observing. With circular floor plan and an inspection house in the middle the concept was to have the authority/institution observing at all time from every angle. Being Invisible to the observed at all times, created a state of conscious and permanent of always being watched inflicting self-punishment and keeping a good behaviour. Having no way to escape from the gaze the concept was planned to be implemented for schools, hospitals, day-cares and asylums, but the main function was destined for a prison.

The concept of the Panopticon was designed by English philosopher Jeremy Bentham. The top image is the abandon building of the prison Presidio Modelo in Cuba, currently a museum. 

This became a new mode of power; understanding that you’re constantly looked at, under surveillance, therefore the term Panopticism.

Now a day the concept of surveillance is part of a daily life, probably with a different approach, but concepts like open working spaces, lecture theatres, street security cameras and even google maps create a self-regulation on the social behaviour. This disciplinary technique is considered as a ‘gentle punishment’ applied to achieve docile bodies; self-monitoring, self-correcting, obedient bodies and over all, hyper efficient.

The modern concept of open offices is under cover by a friendly working environment based on co-working and social interaction, while the main object is to have and easy view of the employees optimising their efficiency by having constant pressure.  

Not being power a capacity that people can have, it’s a relation between different individuals that only exist when it is being exercised, and this exercise relied on the capacity for power to be resisted; ‘where there is power there is resistance’.