TechGnosis. Myth, Magic, and Mysticism in the Age of Information (Updated Ed. With New Afterword)
Novinarstvo i komunikacije
087581
London
2004
13×19,5
meki
435
engleski
12,00 EUR
9,60 EUR
Štedite: 2,40 EUR (20%)
TechGnosis: Myth, Magic, and Mysticism in the Age of Information is a seminal cultural study by Erik Davis, first published in 1998. It is widely considered a "cult classic" of media studies for its exploration of how religious and mystical impulses continue to drive our supposedly rational relationship with modern technology. Davis argues that the digital age is not purely secular. Instead, he uncovers how ancient esoteric and religious traditions—such as Gnosticism, alchemy, and Hermeticism—permeate the development and perception of information technology. He suggests that as we increase our power over nature through tech, it "tightens its control" over us, guiding human evolution toward unknown, transcendental ends. The book draws startling parallels between historical mysticism and contemporary digital culture: Alchemy and Electricity: Traces the alchemical origins of how we perceive and use electricity. Gnosticism and Virtual Reality: Compares the Gnostic desire to transcend the material world with our modern fascination with VR and digital "escape". Kabbalah and Programming: Explores the linguistic links between ancient mystical coding (like the Kabbalah) and modern programming languages. Techno-Apocalypticism: Examines the "apocalyptic dreams" that haunt technological progress, from the Singularity to post-human consciousness. It helped establish Davis as a leading voice in "network mysticism" and has been compared to the work of Marshall McLuhan.
