Panoptikon of Truth

Right now I'm just sort of ruminating on a jumble of concepts. First there is the notion of cognitive-effort versus will. I saw an experiment on Discovery's "Daily Planet" which purported to show that will-power was a finite or at least locally-depletable resource. Fundamentally, I think all that can be measured experimentally (in a controlled context, at any rate) is cognitive effort. Without conducting an extensive theoretical analysis (which I positively do enjoy) a simple example most clearly demonstrates the difference. Obviously, completing a crossword puzzle requires some cognitive effort. On the other hand, if one is a "cossword-junkie," the act of not doing a crossword while at work requires willpower. Most interesting of all, suppose that one's boss walks into the office. At that time, the act of not-doing the crossword does not require any significant amount of willpower. In other words, will power by its very nature resists experimental analysis and does not necessarily itself involve cognitive effort.

This then segues into the related concept of what I have been calling the "public self," what Sartre refers to as Being-for-Others. How is it that publicity, being involved, affiliated, or even merely present or observed, can so radically affect our self-concept? I am particularly intrigued by Bentham's Panoptikon in this respect - the prison of constant surveillance. I see us as striving for enlightenment, but it can only be reached if we subject our self to a "Panoptikon of Truth."