Non-Places: An Introduction to Supermodernity

Supermodernity, defined by Marc Auge as the intrusion of non-space into our lives, results in a profound alteration of awareness. He describes it as a logic of excessive information and space, and suggests that we are in transit through non-place for more and more of our time, making it the subject of an anthropology of its own.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 07 November 2023
Publisher: Verso Books

Supermarkets, airports, hotels, motorways, and television screens have become an integral part of our daily lives, occupying an ever-increasing proportion of our time. This phenomenon, referred to as "non-space" by Marc Auge, has resulted in a significant shift in our awareness, as we perceive the world around us but only partially and inconsistently. Auge employs the concept of "supermodernity" to describe the logic behind these late-capitalist phenomena, characterized by an abundance of information and vast spaces. In this captivating and insightful essay, Auge aims to establish an intellectual framework for an anthropology of supermodernity. He begins by distinguishing anthropology from history, seeking to establish a clear boundary between "place," which is adorned with historical monuments and vibrant social life, and "non-place," where individuals are connected in a uniform manner and where organic social life is impossible.

Unlike Baudelairean modernity, where old and new intertwine, supermodernity is self-contained. From the motorway or aircraft, local or exotic particularities are presented two-dimensionally, akin to a theme-park spectacle. Auge does not suggest that supermodernity encompasses all aspects of life, but he argues that we are spending an increasing amount of time in non-place, as if trapped within immense parentheses. He concludes that this new form of solitude deserves its own anthropological study, as it profoundly impacts our understanding of human existence and social interactions.

Weight: 110g
Dimension: 197 x 128 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781804292600