While researching sources for my final essay, I came across Jamais Cascio's article "The Rise of the Participatory Panopticon". I found this article through Kingsley Dennis' "Keeping a Close Watch". Cascio also uses the term 'sousveillance' much like Dennis does. Cascio explains that everything we say and do will be recorded and kept on an online record that will remain intact for years and years to come. It's not the government or any other higher power that will be doing this to us though -- WE are the ones that are broadcasting personal information. We will all carry the tools that will enable our transparency, in which Cascio calls the 'Participatory Panopticon'.
Cascio says that our cell phones are the main way of transmitting our personal data, whether it's sending out pictures or status updates. Cascio talks about groups that have formulated specifically to keep their eyes on individuals, such as the United Kingdom's "Blair Witch Project" to watch Prime Minister Tony Blair as he sets out on a campaign across the country.
Cascio's article goes hand-in-hand with what we've been talking about in class in the case of panopticism and sousveillance. He talks about the social effects of watchful eyes on humankind, personal secrecy, and permanent accusations. A citizen accusing a police officer about wrongfully hitting a protester will now live forever, even if a case is not made about the issue. It's harder and harder to forget the past actions of society when everything is now easily accessible for years to come.
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