"Bentham was surprised that panoptic institutions could be so light...simple, economic geometry of a 'house of certainty'. The efficiency of power. ... he who is subjected to a field of visibility, and who knows it, assumes responsibility for the constraints of power. ... the external power may throw off its physical weight; it tends to the non-corporal...it is a perpetual victory that avoids any physical confrontation and which is always decided in advance" (99).
- corporal- relating to the human body (non-corporal)
This quote helps me realize that as a society we think that we are free, but really we are not. We are a product of advanced decisions operating our behaviors and limitations. Although the function of power has shifted from being a physical entity to a psychological one, it is still there. This is what Foucault means when he says that the external power can now tend to "the non-corporal." Corporal means relating to the human body, therefore the opposite would be more ambiguous arrangements such as more efficient power over the mind.
In terms of applying this to modern society and not just the architecture of prisons, asylums, or hospitals, it reminded me of the political rhetoric or images that we are bombarded with during election seasons. Sometimes politicians state their opinions directly, and other times it is indirectly, yet the public hears their stance and often reacts by agreeing with what they hear people in power say. For instance, Donald Trump used anti-immigration rhetoric in numerous ways during his campaign. His powerful influence (supported by the media) makes us associate this argument with Donald Trump even when we are alone and depending on whose presence we are in, we may even feel like we have to abide with that standard opinion. Luckily, democracy allows us a freedom of opinion and freedom of speech, therefore there are protests and disagreements. However, my main point is the acceptance and internalization of some rhetoric by the public when they hear powerful leaders' positions on controversies.
Another more simple example of the psychological reign of power is when we follow the rules of the road even though we know there are no cops around. We think, there might be cops just around the corner! It is individually inflicted upon us to follow the orders/laws this way even if we are not chained to abide by the law.
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