Media Backends: Digital Infrastructures and Sociotechnical Relations

The book "Media Backends" explores the politics of the media infrastructural landscape, focusing on feminist, queer, and intersectional criticism to address issues like workplace discrimination, algorithmic violence, and exclusions. It examines topics like artificial intelligence, human-machine communication, and digital infrastructures, and investigates the algorithmic backends of Netflix, Spotify, Google, and video-on-demand services in India.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 08 January 2024
Publisher: University of Illinois Press

The media backends, encompassing the electronics, labor, and operations that power our screens, hold a pivotal role in shaping our understanding of the sociotechnical relations, economies, and operations of media. In their insightful collection of essays, Lisa Parks, Julia Velkova, and Sander De Ridder delve into the evolving politics of the media infrastructural landscape. Drawing from feminist, queer, and intersectional criticism, the contributors engage with infrastructural and industrial issues, shedding light on the systemic inequalities that arise when tech companies and designers fail to address workplace discrimination, algorithmic violence, and exclusions.

The essays span a range of topics, from smart phones to smart dust, exploring artificial intelligence, human-machine communication, and the interconnectedness between digital infrastructures and public service media. They also examine the algorithmic backends of platforms like Netflix, Spotify, Google's hyperscale data centers, and video-on-demand services in India.

This book offers a captivating foray into an expanding landscape of media studies, providing valuable insights into the behind-the-screen processes that shape our digital lives. The diverse range of contributors, including scholars, activists, and industry professionals, brings a wealth of perspectives and expertise to the table.

By examining the media backends, this book contributes to our understanding of the complex interplay between technology, society, and media. It raises important questions about the ethical implications of media systems, the role of algorithms in shaping our experiences, and the need for inclusive and equitable media infrastructure.

In conclusion, Media Backends is a must-read for anyone interested in media studies, technology, and the broader social implications of digital media. It offers a thought-provoking and comprehensive exploration of the evolving politics of the media infrastructural landscape, providing valuable insights into the complex relationships between technology, media, and society.

Weight: 510g
Dimension: 155 x 234 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780252087462
Edition number: First Edition, First Edition