Panopticism Michel Foucault, in his essay Panopticism, talks about how the panopticon is a mechanism of power. But what I wonder is this: Is it the panopticon that holds the power or is it just the fear of being watched that really is holding the power? A panopticon was originally a prison that is constructed so that prisoners can be seen at all times but the guards can not. Foucault, however, discusses how the idea …showed first 75 words of 911 total…

…showed last 75 words of 911 total…because with increased power comes increased knowledge of many things. Although I didn't agree with every last word that Foucault wrote in his essay, most of his ideas were very convincing and well thought out. This essay, Panopticism, was the best so far I have read. It also has made the most impact on me not only as a reader but also on my ideas of who is watching and when they are watching me.