Exploring "Docile Bodies"

               Focault's arguement in Docile Bodies refer to the basic control of society. In order to maintain control over the larger population. Thus creating a society that is efficient and proficient. This can be done by the Focault's formula for "Docile Bodies," which include The Art of Distribution, Control of Activity, Organization of Genesis, and Composition of Forces. Such formula composes the discourse in which we live in now. Focault's definition of discourse is something similar to the codes that shapes the characters in our society. Such that the general public exists in the discourse of the "Docile Bodies."

               Under the Art of Distribution, individuals are enclosed and or partitioned away from others. Through the act of enclosure and partitioning, it "diffuses the circulation," which in turn, prevents individuals from joining together in mass groups. This form of discipline requires the use of architecture. In that the design of one space will proportionately affect the discourse of bodies because enclosures and partitions are created by walls, furniture, etc. Through management of design, individuals can be easily separated as architecture dictates where one belongs.

               In the passage pertaining to the Control of Activity, Focualt mentions that by following a regimented schedule, individuals fall in place. They become automatic machines that follow one "temporal elaboration" of the act. In doing so, they must also follow the same gesture to achieve this form of discipline. Similar to the military troops and their strict training schedules, students also have a set regimented day, in which they all say their prayers. Another form of activity would be the actual tempo of each gesture. Such that all troops will march with their right foot forward in a single pace that mirrors one another and all students will pick up their pencil with their right hands. Using regimented forms of exercise provides another form of control.

               Through the Organization of Genesis, the general public will all fall into one form of control. Because of great attention to little detail and thorough organization, control over the masses can quickly be accomplished in the sense that there is no room for imperfections. This can be proved by the strict schedules and strict routines the troops must follow. Strict schedules set become the discipline. Soldiers act accordingly because such an establishment is known for it.

               The Composition of Forces talks about the composition of groups. Such that each group is categorized for maximum efficiency. This would mean each group is chosen for the abilities that they can contribute to society, yet this categorization will also affect their state of mind, which will promote an efficient mind and body. In the period of Industrialization, most work forces were composed of older citizens and young children. This was because both did not cost a lot to hire because they were unskilled. Since the simple tasks in the factories did not require a skilled worker, an unskilled worker would do just fine. In this composition of forces, the discourse was formed by the necessity for  efficiency and for maximum profit. Discipline forms control over individuals.  

               With this said, there is a direct correlation between architecture and the discipline of space. In which, the design of one place can have  significant impact in the placement of bodies in space. Through the act of design, one can grant access by creating circulation or discipline through acts of enclosure. There is no rule in how architecture can redesign a space and create new discipline, but it is definite in that through details, one can create a new space that manipulates and controls the bodies of others.