David Cecchetto's Listening in the Afterlife of Data explores sound, communication, and data through the practical workings of technologies, situations, and artworks, highlighting the failures and excesses of communication and the paradoxes of computation and communication.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 07 April 2022
Publisher: Duke University Press

David Cecchetto's book Listening in the Afterlife of Data explores the relationship between sound, communication, and data by examining their practical applications in technologies, situations, and artworks. In the afterlife of data, where data's hegemony persists even without belief in its validity, Cecchetto highlights how data is repositioned as a crucial concept in communication, while also suggesting its limitations. He draws attention to the failures and excesses of communication by emphasizing the power of listening, whether through wearable technology, internet-based artwork, or computer processing of sound. Writing at a time when data is more prevalent than ever but less convincing, Cecchetto elucidates the paradoxes inherent in computation and communication, demonstrating that data is never quite what it seems.

David Cecchetto's Book "Listening in the Afterlife of Data" Explores the Relationship Between Sound, Communication, and Data

In his book "Listening in the Afterlife of Data," David Cecchetto explores the relationship between sound, communication, and data by analyzing them in the contexts of practical workings of specific technologies, situations, and artworks. He calls this cultural context the "afterlife of data," where data's hegemony persists even in the absence of any belief in its validity. Cecchetto's book aims to show how data is repositioned as the latest in a long line of concepts that are both constitutive of communication and suggestive of its limits. He highlights the failures and excesses of communication by focusing on the power of listening, whether through wearable technology, internet-based artwork, or the ways in which computers process sound. Writing at a cultural moment in which data has never been more ubiquitous or less convincing, Cecchetto elucidates the paradoxes that are constitutive of computation and communication more broadly, demonstrating that data is never quite what it seems.

Cecchetto's Analysis of Sound, Communication, and Data

Cecchetto's analysis of sound, communication, and data begins with a discussion of the historical development of these concepts. He traces the evolution of sound from its early origins in the natural world to its modern applications in communication, music, and art. He also explores the development of communication from its early forms of spoken language to the modern era of digital communication. Cecchetto argues that data is a natural extension of these concepts, as it represents the information that is transmitted and processed in these systems. He notes that data is often seen as a neutral and objective representation of reality, but he argues that this is not always the case. Data can be manipulated, distorted, and even fabricated, and it can have significant consequences for individuals and society. Cecchetto's analysis of sound, communication, and data also includes a discussion of the ethical implications of these technologies. He argues that these technologies have the potential to enhance human communication and understanding, but they also have the potential to harm individuals and society. He suggests that we need to be more aware of the ethical implications of these technologies and to take steps to ensure that they are used in a responsible and ethical manner.

Cecchetto's Analysis of the Afterlife of Data

Cecchetto's analysis of the afterlife of data focuses on the ways in which data is repositioned in the cultural context. He argues that data is becoming increasingly important in our daily lives, and that it is being used in a wide range of applications, from healthcare to finance to entertainment. However, he also notes that data is often used in ways that are harmful to individuals and society. He argues that we need to be more aware of the ethical implications of these technologies and to take steps to ensure that they are used in a responsible and ethical manner. Cecchetto's analysis of the afterlife of data also includes a discussion of the ways in which data is being used to create new forms of art and culture. He argues that data is a powerful tool for creating new forms of art and culture, but that it can also be used to create new forms of oppression and inequality. He suggests that we need to be more aware of the ethical implications of these technologies and to take steps to ensure that they are used in a responsible and ethical manner.

Conclusion

In conclusion, David Cecchetto's book "Listening in the Afterlife of Data" is a fascinating exploration of the relationship between sound, communication, and data. He argues that data is a natural extension of these concepts, but that it can also be used in ways that are harmful to individuals and society. He suggests that we need to be more aware of the ethical implications of these technologies and to take steps to ensure that they are used in a responsible and ethical manner. By analyzing the practical workings of specific technologies, situations, and artworks, Cecchetto provides a unique perspective on the relationship between sound, communication, and data, and he offers valuable insights into the future of these technologies.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478017912