Technoromanticism (book)
Encyclopedia
Technoromanticism is a philosophical
book written by Richard Coyne
with the subtitle: digital narrative, holism, and the romance of the real.
In Technoromanticism, Coyne shows how narratives about the computer
, and high technology in general, are grounded in Enlightenment
and romantic traditions. Because of these narratives grounding, discourse about technology is subject to very similar critiques of the Enlightenment and romanticism
.
as an attempt to establish political unity through information, as an attempt to achieve techno-idealism through empirical realism
, and as an attempt to achieve a digital utopia. Throughout the work he points out the shortcomings of such endeavors.
guise provides the allure and seduction of cyberspace
and technologies devoted to creating it. (p. 63)
is foundational to the modeling
of space and time for computers.
and code consists of a symbolic language that can be used to model the world around us. However, for Lacan
, what is real is what cannot be symbolized or represented. Thus, for Coyne, the computer strongly suggests the idea that there is a fundamental disconnection from reality through the lens of high technology.
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
book written by Richard Coyne
Richard Coyne
Richard Coyne is Professor of Architectural Computing at the University of Edinburgh where he is Head of the School of Arts, Culture and Environment, which covers the disciplines of architecture, history of art and music...
with the subtitle: digital narrative, holism, and the romance of the real.
In Technoromanticism, Coyne shows how narratives about the computer
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
, and high technology in general, are grounded in Enlightenment
Age of Enlightenment
The Age of Enlightenment was an elite cultural movement of intellectuals in 18th century Europe that sought to mobilize the power of reason in order to reform society and advance knowledge. It promoted intellectual interchange and opposed intolerance and abuses in church and state...
and romantic traditions. Because of these narratives grounding, discourse about technology is subject to very similar critiques of the Enlightenment and romanticism
Romanticism
Romanticism was an artistic, literary and intellectual movement that originated in the second half of the 18th century in Europe, and gained strength in reaction to the Industrial Revolution...
.
Plan
The plan of the book is divided into 3 parts: unity, multiplicity, and ineffability. In the introduction, the reader is given a summary glimpse of technoromanticismTechnoromanticism
Technoromanticism is a term used to indicate those aspects of contemporary culture that ascribe to advanced technologies the capacity to promote the power of the imagination, to restore the role of genius and to bring about a unity; in other words that revive and perpetuate the legacy of the...
as an attempt to establish political unity through information, as an attempt to achieve techno-idealism through empirical realism
Empiricism
Empiricism is a theory of knowledge that asserts that knowledge comes only or primarily via sensory experience. One of several views of epistemology, the study of human knowledge, along with rationalism, idealism and historicism, empiricism emphasizes the role of experience and evidence,...
, and as an attempt to achieve a digital utopia. Throughout the work he points out the shortcomings of such endeavors.
Unity
In the first part of the book, Coyne shows how IT narratives attempt to transcend the material realm. He discusses how romanticism in a neoplatonicNeoplatonism
Neoplatonism , is the modern term for a school of religious and mystical philosophy that took shape in the 3rd century AD, based on the teachings of Plato and earlier Platonists, with its earliest contributor believed to be Plotinus, and his teacher Ammonius Saccas...
guise provides the allure and seduction of cyberspace
Cyberspace
Cyberspace is the electronic medium of computer networks, in which online communication takes place.The term "cyberspace" was first used by the cyberpunk science fiction author William Gibson, though the concept was described somewhat earlier, for example in the Vernor Vinge short story "True...
and technologies devoted to creating it. (p. 63)
Multiplicity
In the second part of the book, Coyne discusses how the philosophy of empiricismEmpiricism
Empiricism is a theory of knowledge that asserts that knowledge comes only or primarily via sensory experience. One of several views of epistemology, the study of human knowledge, along with rationalism, idealism and historicism, empiricism emphasizes the role of experience and evidence,...
is foundational to the modeling
3D modeling
In 3D computer graphics, 3D modeling is the process of developing a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional surface of object via specialized software. The product is called a 3D model...
of space and time for computers.
Ineffability
What a computer represents is done through codingCoding
Coding may refer to:* Channel coding in coding theory* Line coding* Computer programming, the process of designing, writing, testing, debugging / troubleshooting, and maintaining the source code of computer programs...
and code consists of a symbolic language that can be used to model the world around us. However, for Lacan
Lacan
Lacan is surname of:* Jacques Lacan , French psychoanalyst and psychiatrist** The Seminars of Jacques Lacan** From Bakunin to Lacan: Anti-Authoritarianism and the Dislocation of Power, a book on political philosophy by Saul Newman** Lacan at the Scene* Judith Miller, née Lacan...
, what is real is what cannot be symbolized or represented. Thus, for Coyne, the computer strongly suggests the idea that there is a fundamental disconnection from reality through the lens of high technology.