Panopticism is a social theory developed by the philosopher Michel Foulcault. It was the based upon a model institution called the Panopticon, as seen in the image below.
This architectural design when used as a prison allowed constant surveillance and ensures the prisoner "is seen, but he does not see". This induces "a state of conscious and permanent visibility" within the inmate, whether he is being watched or not as he would never know, he feels as if he is being watched but really he is watching himself. This also makes the Pantopticon very efficient as few are needed to subject power over the inmates.
The Panopticon can also be used as a laboratory, as the layout allows for constant observation of subjects to observe aptitude of worker, time it takes for worker to do a task in a work place. It could be used "to assess characters, to draw up rigorous classifications and, in relation to normal development, to distinguish 'laziness and stubbornness' from 'incurable imbecility'". It can also be sued to train or correct individuals.
The Panoptican strengthens power as it "can be exercised continuously in the very foundations of society in the subtlest possible way". Julius said that Panopticism had lead to a whole new society emerging. He states that in a society in which the principal element is not the community or public life but private individuals and the state the Panopticism can help the state as it allow the individual to be carefully fabricated and therefore conform.
Within social media the Panopticism theory can be used as surveillance of the masses by larger corporations such as Facebook or Twitter, however this power is corrupted as it can be used to collect and sell your information, without your consent, to help mould the media such as advertising to your personal needs, relating them directly to you, influencing you subconsciously.
Bibliography
Evans, J. Halls, S (editors) Visual Culture: The Reader (1999) Sage Publications Ltd.
IMAGE http://wijblijvenhier.nl/13082/rotterdam-slaat-door/
