Machinic Extimacy

"The machine is neither an intimate part of me, nor
is it other. Instead: it is that within me which
belongs to the other. The machine is ex-timate."

This book attempts to challenge traditionally held
theories of technology assuming a clear-cut
distinction between the machine and the human.
Heralded by both instrumentalism and determinism
alike, the belief in technology as a radical other to
subjective becoming has seduced current debate into
an apocalyptic deadlock that ultimately presents us
with a false choice between salvation and
destruction, technophilia and technophobia. Here, a
psychoanalytic theory, derived from the work of
Jacques Lacan, may be introduced as a method of
critical intervention. The machine is re-imagined as
no longer the fantastic locus of final overcoming,
but an originary supplement to the negotiation of
being. Not least Martin Heidegger s famous lecture
"Die Frage zum Wesen der Technologie" as well as its
profound influence on thinkers such as Marshall
McLuhan and Jean Baudrillard may thus be critically
explored from a Lacanian vantage point.

Autorentext

Marc von Boemcken has studied political science, sociology andphilosophy. He holds an MA from the University of Lancaster, UnitedKingdom, and currently works as a Senior Researcher at the BonnInternational Center for Conversion (BICC).

Klappentext

"The machine is neither an intimate part of me, noris it other. Instead: it is that within me whichbelongs to the other. The machine is ex-timate."This book attempts to challenge traditionally heldtheories of technology assuming a clear-cutdistinction between the machine and the human.Heralded by both instrumentalism and determinismalike, the belief in technology as a radical other tosubjective becoming has seduced current debate intoan apocalyptic deadlock that ultimately presents uswith a false choice between salvation anddestruction, technophilia and technophobia. Here, apsychoanalytic theory, derived from the work ofJacques Lacan, may be introduced as a method ofcritical intervention. The machine is re-imagined asno longer the fantastic locus of final overcoming,but an originary supplement to the negotiation ofbeing. Not least Martin Heidegger's famous lecture"Die Frage zum Wesen der Technologie" as well as itsprofound influence on thinkers such as MarshallMcLuhan and Jean Baudrillard may thus be criticallyexplored from a Lacanian vantage point.