Control

Repression: the control of slaves and women, their bodies.

The birth of capitalism: the harnessing of the body's energies: discipline and punishment. This is the 'solid stage' of capitalism. Arguably, since the 1960s (but the '20s would be more accurate) the emphasis has been on the release of these energies. "Let it all hang out".."Just do it!" "Express yourself!" A command! (From who?)

The striptease is replaced by: Strip! The strip search.

What is left, anyway, is not the individual or the self but the body, the surface in a screen-world of images. The body, released from metaphysical notions that tethered it to the soul or the intellect; the body set free from social constraints, patriarchy, darkness. From now on the body politic consists of a set of strategies for managing, extending, prolonging, accentuating bodily processes (is that we have so much waste now?). The body as a site for infinite pleasures that disappear as soon as they are produced (the body machine: plugged in, hooked up, ..go with the flow!).

de Sade: the constant availability of bodies, openings, energy. The body henceforth carries no signs, is not symbolic of anything, has no memory. Raw meat, moments stringed along, the quick sensation of feelings-excitement then nausea- in a casino-world.