Panopticon Singularity

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The Panopticon Singularity was first described by Charles Stross in an essay originally written for the Whole Earth Review's 111th issue, where he describes it as "a police state characterised by omniscient surveillance and mechanical law enforcement."

The foundation of the Panopticon Singularity rests in Jeremy Bentham's Panopticon, but whereas the latter describes a circular prison with the inmates under constant supervision, the Panopticon Singularity refers to a police state utilizing a number of technologies that are available as of 2005 or within a decade.

The Panopticon Singularity bears a strong resemblance to the concept of "ubiquitous law enforcement" mentioned in Vernor Vinge's A Deepness in the Sky.