Virus Paradigm: A Planetary Ecology of the Mind

The term "virus" has expanded its meaning beyond its biological origins to encompass a wide range of processes and phenomena in the twenty-first century. It is seen as a key word or explanatory model for processes that go beyond infectious diseases, such as information transmission, cultural globalization, human impact on the planet, ecosystem subversion, pandemic risks, and demographic increase. Its characteristics of invisibility, resource utilization, and potential for harm make it a fitting representation of the fears and uncertainties of the contemporary age.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 18 February 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In recent years, the term "virus" has undergone a significant transformation, expanding its biological boundaries to encompass a much broader and paradigmatic significance. The term "virus" now serves as a crucial keyword or explanatory model for processes that extend beyond the realm of infectious diseases. It can be observed that virtually every event possesses a viral quality, ranging from the transmission of information to the processes of cultural globalization, the impact of human beings on the planet, the disruption of ecosystems, the risks associated with pandemics, and the exponential growth of the global population. It is undeniable that we are living in the Age of the Virus. This term's applicability extends to most of the phenomena that define the twenty-first century. Its unique characteristics, including its elusive and invisible nature, its ability to exploit resources from others, and its potential to transform into a dangerous doppelganger, perfectly mirror the fears and anxieties of contemporary society.

Weight: 128g
Dimension: 151 x 230 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108965811