Air Conditioning

Object Lessons is a series of short books that explore the hidden lives of ordinary things, such as air conditioning, which manipulates the air around us to condition our physical, mental, and emotional experience. It is being studied and exploited as a tool of marketing, social control, and labor management, but its reliance on carbon fuels divides the world into habitable and uninhabitable environments.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 08 February 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Air conditioning is a remarkable technology that has the power to manipulate the air around us, shaping the very conditions of our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. From bustling offices and bustling libraries to modern art museums and bustling shopping malls, climate control systems create an illusion of a comfortable, self-contained body that is free from the constraints of temperature. While air conditioning has undoubtedly made temperature a non-issue in the daily lives of many people, it is also worth noting that thermoception, or the sensory perception of temperature, is being carefully studied and exploited as a tool of marketing, social control, and labor management.

In Hsuan Hsu's book, "Air Conditioning," the author delves into the complex questions about culture, ethics, ecology, and social justice that arise from the history and uneven distribution of climate-controlling technologies. Through a series of essays, Hsu explores the ways in which air conditioning has shaped our understanding of space, comfort, and identity, as well as the ways in which it has perpetuated social inequalities and environmental degradation.

One of the central themes of "Air Conditioning" is the way in which it has created a world divided into habitable, climate-controlled bubbles and increasingly uninhabitable environments where AC is unavailable. Hsu argues that the reliance on carbon fuels to power air conditioning systems has led to a global climate crisis, with rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and the loss of biodiversity. The uneven distribution of climate control technologies has further exacerbated these issues, creating a world where some people enjoy the luxury of a comfortable indoor environment while others are forced to endure extreme heat or cold without access to proper cooling.

Another important aspect of "Air Conditioning" is the way in which it has shaped our understanding of culture and identity. Hsu notes that the development of air conditioning has coincided with the rise of consumer culture and the commodification of space. The desire for a comfortable, controlled indoor environment has become a symbol of wealth and status, with people willing to pay top dollar for the latest and most advanced climate control systems. This has led to a culture where the physical environment is increasingly divorced from the social and cultural context in which it is situated, with buildings designed solely for their functional purposes rather than their aesthetic or cultural value.

Furthermore, "Air Conditioning" raises important ethical questions about the role of technology in shaping our lives. Hsu questions whether we should be willing to sacrifice the health of the environment and the well-being of future generations in order to maintain our current level of comfort and convenience. He also explores the ways in which air conditioning has been used as a tool of social control, with governments and corporations using it to manipulate public opinion and suppress dissent.

In conclusion, "Air Conditioning" is a thought-provoking and important book that sheds light on the hidden lives of ordinary things. Through a series of essays that explore the history, distribution, and ethical implications of air conditioning, Hsu offers a critical analysis of a technology that has become an integral part of our modern lives. While air conditioning has brought many benefits, it is also important to recognize the negative impact it has had on the environment and society. By understanding the complexities of air conditioning and its relationship to culture, ethics, ecology, and social justice, we can work towards a more sustainable and equitable future.

Weight: 156g
Dimension: 123 x 164 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501377822