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"The SF approach: an awareness that things could have been different, that this is one of many possible worlds, that if you came to this world from some other planet, this would be a science fiction world."
- Neal Stephenson
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| Virtual Panopticon | ||
| A method that gathers information from many sources to effectively surveil any citizen as effectively as if he was in a glass cell. |
The term "panopticon" was coined by Jeremy Bentham in the late 18th century. The basic concept was that a watching guard could see easily into every corner of every cell in a specially designed circular prison.
Twelve Hawks expands on this idea, and creates the idea of a Virtual Panopticon that puts together all of the information available on a person, including real-time data on their location and activities. A prison without bars.
| "...These days people are frightened of the world around them, and that fear is easily encouraged and maintained. People want to be in our Virtual Panopticon. We'll watch over them like good shepherds. They'll be monitored, controlled, protected from the unknown."
"Besides, they rarely recognize the prison. There's always some distraction. A war in the Middle East. A scandal involving celebrities. The World Cup or the Super Bowl... Fear may induce people to enter our Panopticon, but we keep them amused while they're inside." |
| Technovelgy from The Traveler,
by John Twelve Hawks. Published by Doubleday in 2005 Additional resources -
|
The phrase "virtual panopticon" is not original to Twelve Hawks. Take a look at this article to see the phrase used in a different way - The Virtual Panopticon (by David Endberg), which I think dates from 1996.
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'...Anything was possible in my imaginary environment.'
'Somewhere in space, a chrome and blue automobile raced the green light of Earth.'
'That explains how it was so easy for me to remain motionless in midair...'
'We had discovered that metal was relatively impervious to the telepathic effect.'
'Detailed plans for the construction of the Gundstetter-Halone warp drive were flowing.'
'Do not waste your priceless company on the unappreciative folds of a sleep pod...'
'...so we've promised him a generous pension from the royalties.'
'Hocus-pocus religions and archaic weapons are no substitute for a good blaster at your side.'
