Miscommunications: Errors, Mistakes, Media

Communication breakdowns lead to mistakes and errors, which are characteristic of digital culture. Miscommunications explores the new conditions for discourse in the 21st century, showing how studies of communication can be refigured when focusing on the capacity for errors, accidents, mistakes, malfunctions, and miscommunications.

Format: Hardback
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 14 January 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Communication breakdowns can have significant consequences, leading to mistakes and errors that are characteristic of digital culture. This collection of philosophical, socio-political, art historical, and media theoretical inquiries explores contemporary culture as a terrain of miscommunication, highlighting the need for a new history and theory of communication devices to understand the emergence of current cultures of miscommunication and the powers of the false. The essays in the book chart the new conditions for discourse in the 21st century and collectively show how studies of communication can be refigured when we focus on the capacity for errors, accidents, mistakes, malfunctions, and both intentional and non-intentional miscommunications.

One of the key themes in Miscommunications is the idea that communication breakdowns are not just a result of technological failures but also of social and cultural factors. The essays explore how the rise of social media, for example, has created new opportunities for miscommunication, as people are now able to communicate with a wide range of people from all over the world, but also how this has led to a decline in face-to-face communication and a loss of empathy.

Another theme in the book is the idea that miscommunication can have political consequences. The essays explore how miscommunication can be used to manipulate public opinion, to spread misinformation, and to undermine democratic institutions. For example, the essay "The Power of the False" explores how the false can be used to create a sense of fear and anxiety, and how this can be used to justify political actions that are harmful to society.

The essays in Miscommunications also explore the role of art in miscommunication. The essays explore how art can be used to communicate ideas and emotions, but also how it can be used to create miscommunication. For example, the essay "The Art of Miscommunication" explores how artists have used miscommunication to create works that are both beautiful and disturbing.

In addition to these themes, the essays in Miscommunications also explore the ethical implications of miscommunication. The essays explore how miscommunication can harm individuals and communities, and how we can work to prevent it. For example, the essay "The Ethics of Miscommunication" explores how we can create a culture of empathy and understanding, and how we can work to address the root causes of miscommunication.

Overall, Miscommunications is a thought-provoking and important book that explores the new conditions for discourse in the 21st century and the role of miscommunication in contemporary culture. The essays in the book are well-written and engaging, and they offer a range of perspectives on the topic. Whether you are a philosopher, sociologist, artist, or media theorist, Miscommunications is a book that you will want to read.

In conclusion, communication breakdowns can have significant consequences, leading to mistakes and errors that are characteristic of digital culture. This collection of philosophical, socio-political, art historical, and media theoretical inquiries explores contemporary culture as a terrain of miscommunication, highlighting the need for a new history and theory of communication devices to understand the emergence of current cultures of miscommunication and the powers of the false. The essays in the book chart the new conditions for discourse in the 21st century and collectively show how studies of communication can be refigured when we focus on the capacity for errors, accidents, mistakes, malfunctions, and both intentional and non-intentional miscommunications. Whether you are a philosopher, sociologist, artist, or media theorist, Miscommunications is a book that you will want to read.

Weight: 564g
Dimension: 146 x 222 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501363856