Religulous

The ultimate form of control and effective use of the panopticon is best seen through religion. Instead of a guard tower this form of "watching" is done through an invisible force that can never be seen or touched, yet it has set a marker of rules that reward or punish as well as keeps tabs on everyone's life. Unfortunately, it is hard to mistake religion and religious texts as man's way of instilling power and conformity for people and to keep society from erupting into anarchy. Religion was the first use of panopticism and is still the most effective way to instill discipline and the fear of punishment through a set of preordained texts.
In Foucault's Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison, he outlines how the panopticon essentially deconstructs the human body and mind into becoming submissive to the rules and commands of those in power (in this sense, God). In his chapter on corrective training he cites, "In discipline, punishment is only one element of a double system: gratification-punishment. And it is this system that operates in the process of training and correction"(180). This is similar to the punishment and reward system of religion. In many faiths and beliefs one who does well by the standard of the system will recieve the prospects of a good life and the potential of reaching a higher state of being. On the contrary, one who disobeys religion and chooses a life of sin, is destined to a life of hardship and punishment down the road. Foucault's system of reward and punishment is identical to religion and it's use of correcting and disciplining.
Even Foucault, in his chapter on Docile bodies makes a direct reference to his theory and to religion. He describes a setting of a classroom and the use of a signal in which the children are supposed to react to. "Whenever a good pupil hears the noise of the signal, he will imagine that he is hearing the voice of the teacher or rather the voice of God himself calling him by his name...the pupil will have to have learnt the code of the signals and respond automatically to them" (166). The signal that the students react to can be attributed to sin, or for not as strong a word, something out of the ordinary. The reaction by the students is similar to the reaction of something seeing something out of the ordinary and perhaps against the proper set of protocol. In short, Foucault proves that there are automated responses taught to us when something occurs. Through religion these responses occur to signals such as to the deadly sins or anyone with a separate faith.

WORKS CITED
Foucault, Michel. "Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. Random House: New York. 1979

The Marxist Riddle

No, I cannot imagine a world completely taken over by technology for the simple reason of oversight. Despite the rise of technology and the continuous rise of jobs being replaced by technology, the simple fact remains: Human control will preside above all machines. As we keep making smarter and more efficient technology we will be able to control certain motives residing within these "robots" that will always ensure that power will be given to the humans who make the machines. For example, a chip can be placed within the robots mind to ensure it is never disobedient or attempt to take down it's "master". This is similar in Marxism where the workers are put down through constant propaganda and the idea that they must work the whole and that they just complete there work of they will be replaced - value is given to the product of the work and not the individual. Because of this we can compare blue-collar workers to robots, since most of them know that they are being underpaid in our society yet refuse to take action against larger companies.

Only yesterday AIG took $100 million in bailout money and distributed the emergency income amongst the highest executives - the people's response? nothing. We live in a society where we are comatose objects going to and fro from our "duties" without ever questioning value and a want of something more. For these reasons I believe that those in power will always keep one thing in their mind before any action - their safety of power in relation to their decision-making. Therefore there will never be a society completely run by machines without the oversight of at least one human being controlling the working class.

Hopesfall: "Icarus"

One of the great mythological stories of the past is of Icarus, about the boy who flew to close to the sun and burned his wax wings eventually crashing into the ocean and drowning. The story, since it's inception, has brought about arguments about ambition, desire, and early death. In the song "Icarus" by former band Hopesfall, the lyrics suggest the same principles while at the same time presenting may Freudian ideas, including segments that can be attributed to the id, ego, and super-ego.

Early in the song are the lyrics, "Youth spent but still so young...if you could have her, where would you be tonight?" which tie into the idea of the Oedipus complex as well as the helpless state of the child. The first part of the line suggests that the early development years, which in the story of Icarus were used being trapped inside a maze with only his father, Daedalus, show that his helplessness was also tied into the fact that the child had no means of freedom, which in turn represent the causes for his journey towards the sun; it was as if Icarus was trying to fill a void in his life caused by the lack of youth as a child. The second part of the lyric invites the idea of "her", which could symbolize the mother of the child and in turn suggest as Oedipus complex further. The fact that the child "can have her" symbolizes possession of the "her" away from his father, which causes the super-ego, which is constantly analyzing and in pursuit of perfection, to allow Icarus to fly so high towards the sun without any regard for the ego (reality) which causes him to burn and drown.

One of the lines in the song showcases the true nature of Icarus and a perfect example of the super-ego. Despite being "put back in his place" the narrative of the song implies a desire for something more. The line, "eyes full of stars" not only describes Icarus' drive and desire to satisfy the super-ego, but also the id - his basic functions. Because the child had been trapped for so long and was without a mother, a proper upbringing, and constant attention his basic drives no longer exist. The only drive he showcases is a desire to go as high up as possible and escape the id, and all of reality. In the end, the song shows us that a desire for more without any regard for reality will ultimately cause one to die. But did Icarus die unhappy? I believe that when he came crashing back down to earth, noting could erase the smile on his face.


- Hopesfall Lyrics

Who is Heath Ledger?

If I was to say the name “Heath Ledger” two years ago the reaction I would receive would be completely different than the one received today. Two words, signifying one man, an actor poised to become one of the greatest of his time. Or is this just the symbol we attach to him now? Was he really on his way to become one of those elite actors among the ranks of Marlon Brando and Paul Newman, or is this just our societies reaction to losing a young man far too soon?
Now, when the words “Heath Ledger” are said the thoughts that come racing to our minds are not teen idol, Australian actor, or curly blonde hair but rather simply one word – the joker. Jonathan Culler writes that signs “…are defined by a network if relations, both internal and external” (56). Internally, through Ledger’s portrayal of the character, society sees a troubled young man lost within a dark character and an actor that has given himself to the role beyond all recognition of the initial self. Externally we see a distraught character bound by hatred and disillusioned ideas of anarchy trying to set the world ablaze. This character serves as a symbol, not only in regards to the fictional character, but now (due to Ledger’s death) a symbol of his own plight in his final days. The image of the Joker is not simply one for Ledger but a symbol for Ledger’s downfall leading towards his death. His submission to his roles, especially while filming the Dark Knight, led to his dependency on pharmaceutical drugs and preeminent death.
Today, Ledger is not only an actor but is also the Joker. In this respect he has embodied the sign through the outcome of his passing. Since there will be no other opportunities to understand Ledger as a father, a man, or in another role, the memory of his self will be seen through his portrayal of the symbol (the Joker). He is forever immortalized in this complex character, which in itself is a shell of a human being.

Devour

A tortured creature stands in complete darkness devouring a stiff motionless body. His eyes bulge out of their sockets as desperation and fear torment him. His hands dig into the man's back as blood trickles around the edges of the body. The creature's hair and beard are overgrown showing a lack of care for his own good, rather a being succumbing to his inner-most demons and allowing them to consume all signs of sanity. The only fragments of light are found in the face of the creature, the body of the man, and the creature's knee - the rest of the canvas and almost the entierty of the creature are drenched in black.

Aristotle Drops Back For The Pass...

There are moments in life when certain words must be said in order to lift a man’s spirit to accomplish a difficult task. Whether the words used are right or wrong the most important factor is that the words are delivered with emotion and weight. The following speech delivered by Al Pacino, taken from Oliver Stone’s football drama Any Given Sunday, uses many of Aristotle’s rhetoric techniques in order to force a catharsis on, not only the characters in the film, but also on the audience.

In Aristotle’s Poetics he states, “The change of fortune will be, not from misery to prosperity, but the reverse, from prosperity to misery, and it will be due, not to depravity, but to some great error either in such a man as I have described or in one better than this, but not worse.” (Aristotle 73). Pacino emphasizes his own troubles and misfortunes in order to illuminate struggle, determination, and redemption. Aristotle believed that the best tragedies are “constructed in this way” (Aristotle 73) and Oliver Stone’s use of taking a successful coach and lowering him to a disgruntled alcoholic at the end of a career makes the tragedy work. Not only does Pacino’s fall from power and understanding of his plight make his character tragic, but the emotion used during the speech lifts the entire locker room into a frenzy.
Aristotle also believed in the effect that rhetoric has on Logos (logic), Ethos (community), and Pathos (emotions). In Pacino’s speech he targets every single one of Aristotle’s ideas in order to motivate his players. The most used of the three is his appeal to Pathos, due to his references to his own struggles and the metaphors to “climbing out of hell” and fighting spirit. Coinciding with the pathos is the recognition between Jamie Foxx and Al Pacino in the scene. Aristotle writes, “a recognition is a change from ignorance to knowledge…” (Aristotle 71). This is seen during the speech when Foxx realizes the impact of the speech and begins to walk towards Pacino as if handing over his trust and self to Pacino. The recognition of both characters serves not only to bring the two together but to also connect the two emotionally, through pathos. The recognition also works on another level through their understanding or their individual selves. Pacino recognizes that he is “too old” and “can’t do it for them” therefore he is incapable of providing for the group. Foxx recognizes that he is the key to their team’s success and without his involvement the team cannot be successful. The combination of the two men’s understanding is what forms the bond and ascends both men to higher levels.

Works Cited

Murray, Penelope. “Aristotle: Poetics”. Classical Literary Criticism. London: Penguin Books, 2000. 57-97

7940962f. “Al Pacino’s Inspirational Speech”. YouTube. 4 August 2006.

Origins: The Chicken or The Egg

Although many of Plato's ideas are unrealistic found within Plato’s Republic some part of me does agree with the idea that there are certain aspects of human nature that have been further developed through our nature functioning in a society than simply from innate aspects. For my first example I will discuss a problem that has plagued our humanity since day one: War. In Plato’s Republic he states that by censoring war myths to the youth of the society this can eliminate war altogether. This statement originates two issues: 1) War is a learned experience and not a natural part of nature and 2) By eliminating all ideas surrounding war in a culture than war altogether will be nonexistent.
In order to fully comprehend Plato’s idea of censorship I will argue both sides of the point in order to clarify the topic completely. First I will argue how this could possibly work. If a child is brought up learning stories of love and understanding while being taught to solve every situation through a method of communication instead of violence than a society free of violence is possible. How can someone who has never seen or heard of throwing a punch or firing a weapon be capable of such actions? This idea is hard to swallow for every one that will read this post will have experienced violence in more than one form therefore imagining the concept of a lack of violence in society will be hard to grip also making this idea hard to swallow. I do agree that there are some aspects of our nature that are innate, such as when suffocating air from any being there will be a forceful retaliation since it is nature’s way of securing the most vital part of life: life itself. This is where Plato’s concept hits some uncertainty.
The other side of the argument will insist that a society free of violence can never be completely free of violence because a member of a society will eventually succumb to the rawest of human emotion – anger. If not within the society than the influence will come in from an outside culture or society. Unless Plato wants to separate Greece from the rest of the world than violence will undoubtedly be introduced in his society for there will be another society out there in the world that believes only in violence to solve their situation. Can anyone say the Romans?
Even though my deepest of feelings want Plato to be true in his theory, reality forces me to believe otherwise. As long as there are people, there will be violence. Regardless of the amount of censorship and lack of talk about violence, it is as part of nature as breathing. The best example of this is in animal nature. There are predators, and there is prey. A tiger does not sit down and explain to another tiger how to hunt, how to kill, and how to survive. There are natural elements involved that cannot be taught or explained. Violence is nature.