Panopticon and Modern Surveillance: The Social Media Paradigm

The Panopticon, designed by Jeremy Bentham, is an institutional building concept where all inmates can be observed without knowing if they are being watched. This idea has evolved into a powerful metaphor for modern surveillance.

Social media platforms act as modern-day Panopticons. Users are constantly sharing information, often unaware of how their data is being monitored, analyzed, and used by corporations and governments for various purposes, including targeted advertising and behavioral analysis.

Algorithms on social media shape user behavior by curating content that encourages specific actions, such as more engagement. This manipulation creates a feedback loop where users' actions are subtly controlled, reminiscent of the Panopticon's self-regulating surveillance.

Constant awareness of being observed can lead to self-censorship and anxiety. Studies have shown that the perceived surveillance on social media affects how individuals express themselves, often leading to more conformist behavior and less authentic interactions.

Awareness of this modern Panopticon can empower users to resist manipulation. By understanding how data is surveilled and used, individuals can take steps to protect their privacy and challenge the power dynamics inherent in social media platforms.

A prison in Cuba, the Presidio Modelo, was directly inspired by Bentham's Panopticon, and housed Fidel Castro before his rise to power.