Are our journalists suffering?
February 27, 2022 9:36 AM Subscribe
I recently read Barton Gellman's pretty amazing book, Dark Mirror about the prevalence of no-warrant surveillance in the U.S. I would now like to read about how surveillance impacts people's health. What I am looking for is a comprehensive understanding of the repercussions of subtle and not-so-subtle surveillance on human beings. Can you all help me with that?
I have found a few articles, such as these: 1, 2, 3, and I am familiar with Foucault's writings on the Panopticon, will look at that again. But I want more information. Are you aware of reports or studies by psychologists, sociologists, behavioral scientists etc. into how being watched effects mental and physical health? Have there been studies focused on authoritarian regimes where surveillance is an unspoken part of daily life and what that does to people? I would also be interested in law review articles or case law concerning the impact of surveillance on health/mental health. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
I have found a few articles, such as these: 1, 2, 3, and I am familiar with Foucault's writings on the Panopticon, will look at that again. But I want more information. Are you aware of reports or studies by psychologists, sociologists, behavioral scientists etc. into how being watched effects mental and physical health? Have there been studies focused on authoritarian regimes where surveillance is an unspoken part of daily life and what that does to people? I would also be interested in law review articles or case law concerning the impact of surveillance on health/mental health. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
I can't think of any specific articles off hand, but some relevant topics:
-the anxiety of people who live in regions subjected to US drone warfare - how people are acutely aware if they pull over on the side of the road randomly (or if their car brakes down), it might read as "suspicious" and make them a target.
-a lot of people on reality TV report hallucinating cameras after it's all over. There is also a relatively high rate of suicide for reality TV contestants.
-a lot of memoirs by people who lived through various authoritarian regimes (as you've indicated) are a source for this. Under a Cruel Star is a very readable memoir about Czechoslovakia (starts in WWII but is mostly about the aftermath).
posted by coffeecat at 10:47 AM on February 27, 2022 [2 favorites]
-the anxiety of people who live in regions subjected to US drone warfare - how people are acutely aware if they pull over on the side of the road randomly (or if their car brakes down), it might read as "suspicious" and make them a target.
-a lot of people on reality TV report hallucinating cameras after it's all over. There is also a relatively high rate of suicide for reality TV contestants.
-a lot of memoirs by people who lived through various authoritarian regimes (as you've indicated) are a source for this. Under a Cruel Star is a very readable memoir about Czechoslovakia (starts in WWII but is mostly about the aftermath).
posted by coffeecat at 10:47 AM on February 27, 2022 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thank you both for your replies. The fact that I received only two responses makes me think this topic is pretty ripe for further research. Will look forward to reading Under a Cruel Star.
posted by ponibrown at 4:36 AM on March 4, 2022
posted by ponibrown at 4:36 AM on March 4, 2022
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I'll see if I can find it, but there's an article that suggests or verifies activity in the brain changes when human animals believe they're in company or alone.
Human beings are highly social, but legitimate time alone gives the mind restoration. Constant surveillance can also likely alter performance. Human beings need some solitary time to essentially recharge. It's certainly possible to be "on," all of the time, but this can change the quality of output and increase debilitating stress.
If anyone knows the article I'm referencing, please share. I am not completely anti-surveillance, I'm definitely pro-unconventional surveillance-thinking.
posted by firstdaffodils at 10:33 AM on February 27, 2022 [1 favorite]