From film noir to Facebook: the camera’s gaze throughout time

The intersection of cinema's use of point of view, particularly in film noir, and today's social media landscape presents a fascinating study in how the art of voyeurism and the gaze of the camera have evolved over time. Both mediums tap into humanity's innate voyeuristic tendencies but manifest them in strikingly different ways, leading to unique implications, especially in the realm of digital interactions.

Historically, cinema, especially film noir, harnessed the power of point of view and the camera's gaze to communicate complex narratives and evoke deep emotional responses. Film noir, with its moody, shadow-lit scenes and morally ambiguous characters, often employed first-person perspectives or subjective camera techniques. This approach drew viewers into the psychological realm of the characters, allowing audiences to experience the story through the eyes of the protagonists. It was a controlled form of voyeurism, where filmmakers guided viewers' gaze to reveal key plot elements, symbolisms, and underlying messages.

Contrast this with today's social media panopticon. Social platforms have democratized the act of watching, shifting the power from a few filmmakers to millions of users. Today, people engage in a form of voyeurism that is less about storytelling and more about peering into the lives of real individuals, many of whom they may not know personally. This shift has profound implications. Unlike film noir's structured narrative and symbolic messaging, social media's voyeurism is unbounded and often unregulated, leading to negative outcomes like cyberbullying, stalking, harassment, and mob mentality.

The negative implications of this new form of voyeurism are significant. On social media, the gaze is no longer just about observation but can escalate into harmful actions. Cyberbullying, for instance, is a manifestation of this gaze turned hostile, where individuals use the anonymity and reach of digital platforms to harass or demean others. Stalking becomes easier when personal information and daily activities are broadcasted widely. Similarly, social media can fuel a mob mentality, where users collectively target individuals or groups, often based on fragmented or out-of-context information.

Film noir's use of point of view and the camera's gaze was a deliberate artistic choice, serving to deepen the narrative and engage viewers in a controlled, introspective experience. Today's social media, however, represents an unfiltered, often chaotic version of this gaze. It is a world where watching has become a habitual part of daily life, with significant implications for personal privacy, mental health, and social dynamics. While both forms of media use similar tools – the camera and the point of view – the contexts and outcomes are vastly different, highlighting the evolving nature of voyeurism in the digital age.