The functions and outcomes of surveillance have much to do with the phenomenon of identity formation. As technical surveillance techniques shift from a reliance of the visual record (photography, video) to a collection of real time metrics, is this dependence on classical notion of identity, defined by a separation of self and other, maintained or disrupted? What facets of contemporary culture are illuminated in these shifts in surveillance, what are the possible outcomes?
Lacanian "mirror-stage" identity formation creates a charged relationship between self and other establishing a highly charged sexualized conflict within the psyche. The other becomes the simultaneous object of desire and a source of alienation.
This understanding of the formation of identity incorporates the idea of the gaze, recognition of the self with other internalizes a gaze that is analogous to surveillance and the modes of surveillance. In reality technical surveillance in order to be effective relies on this relationship.
Much of the charged nature of surveillance can be seen in the work of Merry Alpern, a photographer whose work utilized surveillance like composition and techniques.
Photo From Alpern's Series Shopping
Two factors have influenced this shift.
1. Economic factors, the shift from primarily a production based economy to one of the corporation or the dynamic market based economy. The ascension of information as both the primary commodity and the medium of doing business.
2. Military factors, methods of waging war have changed, the tactics of war have changed from strategic, to the purely political, to the transpolitical or global tactics. These correspond with a change in weaponry, from obstructive/defensive (rampart/bunker), to destructive (atomic), to the communications based weapons of today (information espionage, weapons systems).
The reliance on rapid transmission and manipulation of information for economic and military means has led to the development of technology that constructs identity through storage of biometric data, and the tracking of digital traces.
Biometrics: Fingerprinting, facial features, retinal scan
Dataveillance: Echelon, TIA, IAO
Appropriation of dataveillance techniques 
Carnivore PE and Carnivore Webcam Sniffing in artisitc endeavors.
Compression of representation and presentation, cause and effect are confused. Identity is no longer represented as much as it is presented. Classical surveillance and identity formation rely on corporeal or metaphorical distance the ability to recognize the other as other. Presentation as opposed to presentation blurs this distinction between self and other. We have no mechanism for interiorizing this type of surveillance. We are incapable internalizing the flow and capture of our promiscous data. In a way not being able to internalize this information leads us away from a self censoring public, makes us more complacent in the face of identity management or personal information analysis.
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