Discipline and Punish - JS, Peter, Morgan and Nick

In "Discipline and Punish: History of the Prison", Michel Foucault attempts to analyze the French judiciary system starting with a retrospective in the 17th century and how the methods of torture, discipline and punishment of society have been implemented and changed throughout time. In “Docile Bodies”, Foucault identifies the ultimate purpose of discipline of creating docile humans in order to maximise their economical output (utility) and their obedience in a system (docility). In this chapter, the importance of controlling details is also mentioned, as it is, combined with the correct means of diffusion, an important pervasive technique for subtle domination. In the next chapter, three instruments that ensure this disciplinary method are mentioned: hierarchical observation, where a network of gazes is established to ensure constant and subtle surveillance; normalizing judgment, where homogeneity is sought, making sure that individual differences are easily tracked and later used; and examination, where the objectification of humans and their documentation increases the “knowledge is power” premise. Finally, in “Panopticism”, the docility-utility concept is reinforced by connecting it with the apparatuses of production and how the two increase the uneven distribution of power. The concept of “societies of control” is explored by Deleuze, by saying that the techniques of domination have evolved into modular control being held in a constant overlapping and mixing of systems or institutions. Lastly, he mentions the state of current capitalism, where the marketing of the product overrules everything else.

Our discussion began by bringing up the concept of the self-sufficient warrior-like man and wondering if his existence was still possible in our current world. The image of the independent man that does not need others for his survival seemed quite utopian in the intricate network of human multiplicities, where we all have a specific role to fulfill. Later, we drifted on the schooling system and how it molds our character and train of thought. Definite differences could be seen from a public school in Kentucky to a Catholic private school in Colombia. Culture and religion become decisive factors in the domination system. It was also established that the management of details was a crucial and effective method to “tame” the student body. Subversion techniques were also analysed. Creating a group of students with certain privileged status and establishing symbiotic power-relationships with certain teachers proved to be a plausible method. Another effective method was to establish good contacts with the administrative people in power, ensuring “safe passage” through the system. Finally we talked about the realization of omnipresent surveillance in our life, but how we are oblivious to this fact. We don’t care anymore being filmed or video taped since some said it was basically to ensure security and safety, but a point was made about the fact that it is no more about being recorded, since it happens all the time, but how those who do it might use the information and for what purposes. Is this a very paranoid approach to domination systems? Perhaps not, since with the amount of information gathered from individuals, the system does possess the power. With technology and the complex network of institutions, the system makes this fact aware for the individual, therefore exercising coerced control. But we shouldn’t fear the system, right?

Up to what extent is the Computation Arts program molding us to fit in the industry?