Surveillance in Foucaults Panopticism and Vonneguts Harrison Bergeron

Surveillance in Foucault's Panopticism and Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron Ever feel as though someone is watching you? You know that you are the only one in a room, but for some reason you get an eerie feeling that you are not alone? You might not see anyone, but the eyes of a stranger could be gazing down on you. In Foucault's "Panopticism," a new paradigm of discipline is introduced, surveillance. No one dares to break the law, or do anything erroneous for that matter, in fear that they are being watched. This idea of someone watching your every move compels you to obey. This is why the idea of Panopticism is such an efficient form of discipline. The Panopticon is the ideal example of Panopticism, which is a tool for surveillance that we are introduced to in â€Å"Panopticism.† Kurt Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron," has taken the idea of surveillance one step further. The government not only observes everyone, but has complete control over society. The citizens of the United States cannot even think for themselves without being interrupted by the go vernment. They are prisoners in their own minds and bodies. The ideals of â€Å"Panopticism† have been implemented to the fullest on society in Vonnegut’s "Harrison Bergeron," through physical and mental handicaps. In â€Å"Panopticism† Foucault states, â€Å"the major effect of the Panopticon: to induce in the inmate a state of conscious and permanent visibility that assures the automatic functioning of power† (Foucault, pg. 201). The function of the Panopticon is to keep the prisoners orderly by instilling fear inside of them, this fear forces them to stay in their cells, and to remain compliant. The Panopticon is a building designed for surveillance. In â€Å"Panopticism,† the Panopticon is a centra... ...y are not prisoners, they are mere citizens that must constantly live lives of punishment in order to achieve equality. They can not think for themselves, or excel at anything in life, because they are all equal. Each of them is just like the next citizen. In Vonnegut’s â€Å"Harrison Bergeron,† the United States in 2081 are not a society, but a Panoptic prison where the citizens are held and guarded like inmates, and this is no way to live. Works Cited Foucault, Michel. â€Å"Panopticism.† Discipline and Punish. New York: Vintage Books, 1979. Vonnegut, Kurt. â€Å"Harrison Bergeron.† Short Stories Characters In Conflict. Ed. John E. Warner. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1981. 344-353 Winokur, Mark. â€Å"The Ambiguous Panopticon: Foucault and the Codes of Cyberspace† CTHEORY.NET. 13 March 2003. Access date : 28 April 2005.

A Medium of Spirituality?

In most cases of media-oriented or group worship traditions, there are many different factors to consider such as the rhetorical methods and its implications and the mode in which these worship practices are addressed in the different traditions. Thus, the formation of such religious and worship practices come into context with the prevailing method of communications, especially in our modern context – the media.There are numerous facets of media and communications today that even spirituality attempts to plant itself on these kind of communicative phenomena. As such, a specific worship experience, perhaps commonly prevalent today, is through the television. These religious shows are mostly based on the reading and interpretation of passages from the bible through some authoritative assumptions and conclusions.In his book, A History of Christian Spirituality, Urban Holmes categorizes the different modes of spirituality and worship traditions through a combination of four quadr ants of a ‘circle of sensibility.’ The north polar end of the diagram is categorized as the rational or cognitive pole.The south polar of the same line is the emotional or affective side. The east and west is categorized as kataphatic (for speech) and apophatic (against speech), respectively. Thus, through the combination of these four different areas, we may find some mode of spirituality categorized as kataphatic-cognitive, apophatic-affective, among others. As such, the different traditions of worship are categorized whether it appeals to the emotions, the intellect, or the preference for written/oral traditions or not.An example of these different modes of spirituality or worship is through television shows that provide an interpretation of the scripture.These bible-oriented interpretative shows are then categorized, according to Holmes, on the speculative-kataphatic or cognitive-kataphatic. Since most readings require interpretation during these sessions, then most spirituality expressed in these is through a interpretative method coupled with some consideration with an intellectual understanding. Also, the methods in which these lectures are addressed are also taken into consideration since varying methods of rhetorical delivery may also affect such theological understanding.For example, a bible show that presents an argument on the goodness of God then meticulously chooses passages from the bible to support the argument (intellectual), and the interpreter then presents his or her own views regarding the subject matter. There are of course a number of speech methods that ultimately affect the interpretation of the viewers themselves as it appeals to an emotional construct of the person.The method of inquiry through interpretation may be too diverse to explain whether such interpretations affect the intellectual or emotional aspect. In terms of spirituality, these newer methods of theological proclamation then posit two problems: first is the authenticity of the spirituality produced conveyed through a non-personal approach (e.g. television instead of live or ‘practical’ worship practices). Second is the affectivity of such methods compared to a more personal understanding of theological ideologies. We must first then consider the authenticity of such spirituality in the given circumstance.Through television, the information conveyed by the scripture(s) becomes somehow stratified through a selective process of theological topics instead of a diverse and explorative manner of topic discussion. These shows are not wholly aimed for the purpose of elevating spiritual consciousness but rather, just like any other television program, are much more concerned on viewer ratings and the advantages to other competitions similar to that of the program.Thus, authenticity of the spirituality espoused in these shows is in question. Can these shows provide the same level of spirituality as that of a normative worship pract ice? In some way, the affectivity of these may cause some further theological discussion involving the scriptural context that appeals the intellect. However, it cannot be said that these shows are a main tenet of producing spirituality in such a way that these kinds of discussions are carefully structured in order to gain more viewers instead of gaining more theological understanding.

teen drug abuse - 1325 Words

More than 60% of teenagers said that drugs were sold, used or kept at their school. Which means more then 60% of children have been around drugs or people who have drugs. What effects could such a thing have on the average canadian family? As defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, drug use is a negative pattern of using a substance that leads to a number of problems, which may include needing more of a drug to get intoxicated, difficulties that occur when the effects of the drug wear off (withdrawal), using more of a substance or for longer time than intended, and other life problems because of their use of a drug or drugs. After further reading more about teen drug abuse, it will clearly show the negative†¦show more content†¦As it was said earlier that teen depression is becoming so popular and most of them who are looking for a way out will look for the easiest, quickest and least painful way, the last place any parent would want to see ther e child is lying on the ground in the bathroom in front of their medicine cabinet. One of the most asked questions from parents is How can we tell if our child has started using . A lot of feedback from parents is that they didnt know there children were using for days, months or sometimes even years before they found out, and after further researching, it s clear that it s not difficult to see when drug use starts but that a lot parents dont see it because of denial. The little girl that i used to push on the swings? That girl would never hang around with those people, she d but terrified to have that happen in front of her shiny blue eyes, and she would never ever put drugs in her body. Well in most cases, there wrong. Some symptoms to prove that drugs are being used are; breaking curfew, lying, making excuses, verbal and physical abuse, mood swings, sleepless nights, stealing and changes in friends. All these can be normal teenage mistakes but they can also be the start of a serious drug addiction. What are with all the lighters gone missing in the house? Well the other way to see symptoms is finding drugShow MoreRelatedTeen Prescription Drug Abuse Among Teens1462 Words   |  6 PagesTeen Prescription Drug Abuse Doesn’t matter what age, drugs are going to be used and abuse. From the time we are born, till the day we die, prescription drugs are prescribed for doctor approved use. 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