PART 1 (Week 8)
First, watch these two narrated powerpoints
This first video introduces concepts of resistance as response to technological change, briefly going back over the revolt of the Luddites before exploring a framework to approach resistance.
The second video defines Foucault’s panopticon and extends this to contemporary workplace surveillance.
Once you’re done, take this quick quiz to test your knowledge.
Then, read this annotated paper by Bain & Taylor (2000)
Article on resistance to the panopticon
This article offers you a different perspective to the usefulness of the “electronic panopticon” as a concept. Pay particular attention to the critique the authors make of an uncritical use of the concept – what it keeps us from recognising, and the sort of resistance work it risks erasing.
Go to Mural and open the “Theme 4 activity 1 (Week 8)” worksheet.
In this activity you’re asked to come up with examples of digital surveillance, analysing how well they “fit” the concept of the electronic panopticon (you may re-use some examples from Theme 3 if they fit the idea of ‘surveillance’, but not all forms of control are ‘surveillance’!).
Place all these on your group’s Mural map. For each, explain whether they perfectly fit the concept of the electronic panopticon, partially fit with the concept (how?), or not at all.
Explore as well how these examples can be resisted (individually & collectively).
Confused about a concept, or wanting to engage? Drop a comment below!