Self-Writing Machines: Technology and the Question of the Self

Abstract

In order to show that technology mediates between man and machine, I will discuss in this text a literally other or alter-knowledge system that also heavily relied on self-writing machines: spiritualism. Contrary to scientific knowledge systems, in spiritualism the unforeseen, the singular, and the disturbance is what counts as, and produces, significance. That is the reason why alter-concepts such as spiritualism, esotericism, or occultism are not typically recognized as innovative agencies in the history of knowledge. Hence, what is needed to raise the question of a non-hegemonic knowledge production is a symmetrical approach in the history of technology.

Keywords

• Heidegger
• technology
• History of Science, Technology, and Medicine
• Other Film and Media Studies
• occult
• media
• history of science
• history of technology
• epistemology