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Technology and affect: Towards a theory of inorganically organised objects

Lookup NU author(s): Professor James Ash

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Abstract

This paper links debates around technology, materiality and affect to generate a theory of inorganically organised objects and affects. Drawing upon the work of Felix Guattari, Gilbert Simondon and Bernard Stiegler, the paper suggests that technical objects can be understood as assemblages of matter, which are organised by material thresholds that shape their capacity to affect. The paper then argues that technical affects are transmitted via material mediums such as air that it terms associated milieus. To understand the affective capacities of technology, one should understand how technologies reorganise and draw upon associated milieus' to generate affect and how the material thresholds of objects shape what these affects are. Developing a number of examples, the paper shows how inorganically organised affect reorganise the body and corporeally affects capacities to act and respond to the world. In conclusion the paper suggests an account of affect that focuses on objects has methodological implications for social scientists interested in studying technical processes and environments

Publication metadata

Author(s): Ash J

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Emotion, Space and Society

Year: 2015

Volume: 14

Pages: 84-90

Print publication date: 01/02/2015

Online publication date: 04/02/2014

Acceptance date: 27/12/2013

Date deposited: 01/05/2016

ISSN (print): 1755-4586

ISSN (electronic): 1878-0040

Publisher: Elsevier BV

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.emospa.2013.12.017

DOI: 10.1016/j.emospa.2013.12.017

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