User Unconscious: On Affect, Media, and Measure

The User Unconscious explores how digital media and computational technologies have redefined what it is to be human, emphasizing the theme of the "user unconscious" and the transformative impact on subjectivity, sociality, and unconscious processes. It combines philosophy, critical theory, media studies, and political, social, and economic transformations to point toward emergent crises and potentialities in human subjectivity and sociality.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 27 March 2018
Publisher: University of Minnesota Press

The past decade has witnessed a remarkable expansion of digital media, permeating every aspect of our daily lives. In The User Unconscious, a collection of thought-provoking essays and experimental prose, scholars delve into the profound ways in which digital media and computational technologies have reshaped our understanding of what it means to be human.

Critical theorist Patricia Ticineto Clough takes center stage in this exploration, employing the concept of the "user unconscious" to argue that we are simultaneously human and other-than-human. Through her thought-provoking essays, she challenges the notion that we exist solely within the confines of our physical bodies and proposes that we now live, think, and dream within a complex network of computational networks that are ever-present and profoundly transform our subjectivity, sociality, and unconscious processes.

The User Unconscious brings together a diverse range of disciplines, including philosophy, critical theory, media studies, and political, social, and economic transformations. By integrating these various perspectives, the book offers a comprehensive analysis of the emerging crises and potentialities in both human subjectivity and sociality. It prompts us to reevaluate our relationship with digital media and computational technologies, recognizing that they are not merely tools of control but have already altered the very fabric of what it means to be human.

One of the key themes explored in The User Unconscious is the shift from affect to data. Clough argues that digital media and computational technologies have fundamentally altered our perception of reality, moving us from an era of subjective experiences to one dominated by quantifiable data. She challenges us to recognize that our interactions with these technologies are not merely passive but actively shape our identities and behaviors.

Through her analysis, Clough reveals how digital media and computational technologies have commodified our bodies and minds, perpetuating dominant narratives and perpetuating social inequalities. She highlights the ways in which these technologies have reinforced existing power structures and perpetuated discrimination, marginalizing certain groups and amplifying the voices of others.

At the same time, The User Unconscious also points to the potentialities for resistance and transformation. Clough advocates for a more ethical and responsible approach to the development and deployment of digital media and computational technologies, emphasizing the need for greater transparency, accountability, and democratic control. She encourages us to embrace the possibilities of these technologies for social good, such as education, healthcare, and community building.

In conclusion, The User Unconscious is a thought-provoking and indispensable book for anyone interested in understanding the complex relationship between digital media and computational technologies and their impact on human existence. Through its interdisciplinary approach and provocative analysis, the book offers a roadmap for navigating the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first-century digital landscape.

Weight: 296g
Dimension: 141 x 214 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781517904227