The Modern Panopticon: New Players for Power
Abstract:
In the current age of information technology, it is critical to reflect on our society and look inwardly on our actions, what impacts them, and who it matters to. Surveillance is a focused and systematic directing of attention or resources towards others to gain information, or fulfil another specific purpose. The rise of computers marked the post-modern age with interfacing or digital surveillance.
This paper investigates some of the key challenges to Foucault’s panoptic concept, specifically brought about by the rise of digital information technologies. For this paper, I discuss the central components of Foucault’s panoptic surveillance: discipline and power. I then go beyond palpable challenges to discuss what I view as the ultimate challenge caused by technology: how power dynamics are shifting due to modern technology. Through the rest of the paper, I assert three essential revolutions to Foucault’s panoptic discipline society and the challenges to its traditional power structures: the digital double, big data and algorithms and the rise of third-party power.
Keywords: surveillance, digitalisation, technology, panopticon, power, digital, algorithms, third party, big data, Foucault