Joel Sterns perspective on the concept of eavesdropping is incredibly fascinating. Not only does it bring to light the societal effects of eavesdropping and how it is used by people in power to further an agenda or form of control – it further emphasises the importance of listening as a process outside of the norm, an almost hidden form of listening used by an elite to govern – as well as listening in terms of legal practise and the way in which law tries to regulate sound.
This political perspective to listening reminds me of the work of Lawrence Abu Hamdan, who explores the effects of audio on human rights and law and how sound directly correlates with identity and societal structures. I find fascinating the idea that the story of the history of eavesdropping may illuminate the past and present we find ourselves in as well as be a platform of activist resistance and ‘betterment’ of societies.
Athansium Kirchers illustration, in the book musurgia universalis, of a giant listening tube – spy ears that were installed within the very architecture of the state – mechanisms of listening imbedded architecturally as a form of governance – show how precisely the act of eavesdropping means in a societal setting. The contrast and juxtaposition of the working class at the bottom and the rich aristocrats listening is in itself incredibly striking, shocking and makes you ruminate on how eavesdropping is being used in a more modern context. The idea that the rich can use listening and weaponise it to dominate – the idea that listening – such an everyday action for the average person – can be used as a form of surveillance and exploitation is powerful.