Imagologies:

Media Philosophy

Quotes:

"We could call the course "Imagologies" something like mythologies but for images." (practices 7)

"Information is not knowledge; knowledge is not understanding. How can we create understanding in a world in which information and knowledge are out of control?" (practices 12)

"The only resonsible intellectual is one who is wired." (practices13)

"Postmodern society is radically decentered and thoroughly disseminated. As a result of this dispersion, the machine of socio - cultural reproduction is no longer controlled by central agencies. Center and hierarchy give way to periphery and horizontally creating a lateral expanse that extends endlessly in undefined directions. In the absence of centralized and hierarchical control, localized intervention in the structure of cultural reproduction and social production become not only entertainable but sometimes even entertaining." (simcult 1 -- Borges, Emerson)

"With the advent of consumer society, culture itself becomes commodified." (simcult 2)

"With a project like this (imagologies) the key thing is to maintainthe spark of craziness." (simcult 6 - 7)

"The challenge is not to make statements but to ask questions." (styles 2)

"imagology insists that the word is never simply a word but is always also an image. always an image. The audio-visual trace of the word involves an inescapable materiality that can be thought only if it is figured. The abiding question for conceptual reflection is: How to (dis)figure the wor(l)d? (styles 3)

"Hypertexts free the play of signs that has always constituted writing. This play is both trivial and deadly serious.

• Lighten up so you can get serious.
• Get serioius so you can lighten up."

(style 7)

"One of the most perplexing problems we face is how to think historically in an age that has forgotten history." (naivete 4)

"In our era, we must philosophize with images rather than concepts." (philosophy 15)

"On the technological level, standardization creates vulnerability. Consider, for example, an analogy drawn from the domain of physical organisms. One of the most effective defensives against disease and infection is biodiversity." (philosophy 16)

"'Standardization and homogenization can lead to totalitarianism." (philosophy 16)

Comments:

Louis Borges: "Library of Babel" -- locate comments

R.A. Emerson: "Circle essay" -- locate comments