Privacy Fences

Michel Foucault demonstrates the power that an “all seeing eye” has on an individual, stripping him of all secretive behavior and putting his every move on display.  This extreme exposure controls every aspect of a person’s life, producing unnatural behavior.  Michael McKeon builds off of Foucault’s theory and forces the reader to think of privacy in a new way:  as a luxury.  Through an analysis of early European home blueprints, a shift from a more public and grandiose lifestyle to a private seclusion was seen.  Although flamboyancy was still valued, the contrast between public and private exponentially increased.  This was not only to prevent scandal, but also to separate the help from the Highness.  McKeon says, “At the higher social levels the boon of spatial privacy is sought in the physical separation of quality from commoners, of family from servants, and of one person from another (pg.431).”  This is seen even today by the value placed on a brand name or the year of a car.  The display of money is used as a distinction between classes of people.  Privacy fences, alarm systems, and gated communities are used almost exclusively by the upper class as a constant reminder that there is a difference between, “you and me.”  McKeon also reveals the importance of the rich being seen as they ate their elaborate meals as a show of grandeur.  This phenomenon is similar to the modern day Facebook obsession.  Status updates of big plans and elaborate vacations, workplaces, degrees, and flattering photos are publicized as a means of promoting only desirable attributes of oneself.  Privacy is usually taken for granted until it has been taken away.  Inmates are required to be strip searched frequently, and celebrities complain of the intrusive paparazzi.  Privacy is a concept valued by most, but recognized by few.