Everything Everywhere Daily · Friday, August 7, 2026
The concept of deterrence has shifted from public spectacle to subtler forms, influenced by Jeremy Bentham's 18th-century design for the Panopticon prison. This structure, with a central tower allowing constant surveillance of inmates, created a perpetual fear of punishment, even if guards were not always present.
“The idea for this can be traced back to an 18th-century English philosopher, Jeremy Bentham, who developed a new form of punishment that he called the Panopticon.”
“Create a prison where a single prison officer could watch the inmates, creating the impression that they are always under surveillance.”
“But it's the fear that they could be watched that gave the system its power.”