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Theorizing Digital Cultures
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The rapid development of digital technologies continues to have far reaching effects on our daily lives. This book explains how digital media—in providing the material and infrastructure for a host of practices and interactions—affect identities, bodies, social relations, artistic practices, and the environment.

Theorizing Digital Cultures:

  • Shows students the importance of theory for understanding digital cultures and presents key theories in an easy-to-understand way
  • Considers the key topics of cybernetics, online identities, aesthetics and ecologies
  • Explores the power relations between individuals and groups that are produced by digital technologies
  • Enhances understanding through applied examples, including YouTube personalities, Facebook’s ‘like’ button and holographic performers

Clearly structured and written in an accessible style, this is the book students need to get to grips with the key theoretical approaches in the field. It is essential reading for students and researchers of digital culture and digital society throughout the social sciences.


 
Introduction: Why Theorize Digital Cultures?
 
PART 1 DEFINING DIGITAL CULTURES
 
Chapter 1: What Are Digital Cultures?
 
Chapter 2: Culture and Technique
 
Chapter 3: Digital and Analog
 
PART 2 HISTORIES, CONCEPTS AND DEBATES
 
Chapter 4: Cybernetics and Posthumanism
 
Chapter 5: Identities and Performances
 
Chapter 6: Bodies and Extensions
 
Chapter 7: Aesthetics and Affects
 
Chapter 8: Forms and Judgments
 
Chapter 9: Infrastructures and Ecologies
 
Afterword: What Comes after Digital Cultures?

Digital media have changed everything. Grant Bollmer shows why we must think through this change, and how to think with and about it.

Sean Cubitt
Goldsmiths, University of London

At last, a clear and brilliant guide to the digital world, as both a virtual and material zone. Bravo!

Toby Miller
University of California, Riverside

A theoretically rich and grounded text full of brand new insights into technology. Theorizing Digital Cultures lays out exactly how the relationship between digital media and culture is political. In doing so it sets a much needed example for both students and scholars on how to engage theories of media and culture in order to make sense of our emerging technological realities.

Sarah Sharma
University of Toronto

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 5: Identities and Performances


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ISBN: 9781526453099

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ISBN: 9781473966932
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ISBN: 9781473966925
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