366: One Story Per Day (2024)

Day 131 - Panopticon

     Once there was a man named Daniel. He looked to live an average existence, going about his everyday tasks with little regard for the world around him. But behind the surface, Daniel felt a rising disquiet, a nagging suspicion that things were not quite right.

     It all started when Daniel discovered a notion known as the panopticon. He discovered that it was a jail design developed by philosopher Jeremy Bentham in the 18th century. The Panopticon was built as a circular construction with a central watchtower from which a single guard could keep an eye on all of the inmates without them realizing it. The objective was to instill a sensation of continual monitoring in the convicts, causing them to govern their conduct for fear of being seen.

     As Daniel looked more into the panopticon concept, he couldn't help but notice how much it resembled his own life. Everywhere he walked, he had the impression that he was being watched, that invisible eyes were tracking his every move. It was as if he were caught in his little panopticon, an unseen prison of inspection and monitoring.

     At first, Daniel disregarded his thoughts as paranoia, attributing them to stress or an overactive imagination. But as time passed, he couldn't escape the sensation that something was wrong. He became hyper-aware of his surroundings, continually searching passersby's expressions for signs of recognition or appreciation.

     Daniel's concern increased as he observed minor clues that appeared to corroborate his thoughts. Strangers would cast glances in his direction before hurriedly turning away as if caught in the act of monitoring him. He would get anonymous texts and emails with cryptic warnings and veiled threats, which fueled his developing anxiety.

     Daniel's infatuation with the panopticon overwhelmed him as the days grew into weeks. He grew increasingly distant, distancing himself from friends and family while trying to make sense of the incomprehensible surveillance that permeated every area of his existence.

     Despite his greatest attempts to unearth the truth, Daniel came no closer to comprehending the nature of the panopticon that appeared to rule his existence. Was it all in his brain, the result of his paranoia and delusions? Or was there anything evil going on under the façade of normalcy?

     In the end, Daniel was left with more questions than answers, stuck in his cage, his every step watched by invisible eyes. And as he gazed out at the world beyond his window, he couldn't help but wonder if he would ever escape the watchful gaze of the panopticon that had ensnared him.