Die Krise des Fortschritts und der Traum von der sauberen Energie: Bilder von Fortschritt, Elektrizitat und Natur

The book explores the sustainability discourses of the present from the perspective of cultural history, highlighting the contrast between the imagery of the Promethean Age and the fairy of electricity. It shows how ideas of new relationships with nature and an ethical embedding of technologies and the economy are woven into narratives of light bearers, from auroras to poster art and modern androids.

Format: Hardback
Length: 191 pages
Publication date: 11 May 2021
Publisher: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht GmbH & Co KG

The realization of a dream of clean energy remains elusive, yet the transition into the post-fossil age demands not only technological innovations but also profound transformation processes. This captivating book unravels the sustainability discourses of our present, drawing from the perspective of cultural history. It highlights the long-held aspirations towards electricity, seen as a natural energy source since the 19th century, and encapsulates them in the radiant image of the fairy of electricity. In contrast, the imagery of the Promethean Age portrays the consequences of a concept of progress that has encountered a crisis. Through her insightful analysis, Sybille Heidenreich reveals that the narrative of light bearers, spanning from Ph. O. Runge's "Morgen" to poster art and contemporary androids, encompasses ideas of new relationships with nature and an ethical integration of technologies and the economy. This thought-provoking exploration sheds light on the pathways toward a more sustainable and harmonious future.

ISBN-13: 9783525311332