Panopticon Failure & The Hope Of Caring

For those of you who still may not be aware, I would like to inform you that the Lancaster Community Safety Coalition is nearing its goal of having 165 omnidirectional, interconnected surveillance cameras installed throughout Lancaster City. Much has been already said and will continue concerning all aspects of this issue. From the lack of public input in their implementation to their long term ineffectiveness in dealing with crime.
But the purpose of this article is to examine the more basic effect this totalizing surveillance has on human interaction and solidarity. Most of what I write about has to do with Labor struggles, but the matter of surveillance has far reaching consequences in and out of the workplace, in public or private spaces. Individuals, thanks in part to the media, struggle to find fulfillment in objects and as a consequence, sees as objects other people. Insecurity at home crashes against imperialism abroad. The air of mistrust already haunts our streets.
Atop this, the constant presence of surveillance cameras turns the presumption of innocence on its head. The unblinking eye states you are always guilty, and by default, always in need of watching. All of whom you associate are criminals. All transactions are suspect. The aerial positioning of these machines has a subliminal message: we are your overlords, don't do anything stupid; you are inept and unable to work together to solve any of the problems in your community.
This brings us to a key point that is often missing in the movement to oppose video surveillance: Mutual aid. The ability of human beings to express solidarity with each other directly; to look after each others needs (including safety) without mediation from unauthorized third parties. Mutual aid digmifies communities, by casting aside the condescending paternalism of organizations such as the L.C.S.C. It exults the ability of neighborhoods to find common sense solutions to anti-social violence. Lastly, it fosters a society free from the tyranny of both exploitative economics and overly repressive legal codes. Now more than ever do we need to stop this ever invasive authoritarianismwhile breaking down the alienation corporate culture broadcasts into every space of our lives.
Love...Communicate...Resist-Invidious Rose