Simondon: Technical Mentality
from Synthetica: Synthesis on Design Hosted by Synthetic Synthesis
Gilbert Simondon's "Technical Mentality" explores the development and nature of a technical mindset, asserting its coherence and potential. The text investigates cognitive schemas like cartesian mechanism and cybernetics as manifestations of this mentality, emphasizing analogical interpretation and transcategorical knowledge. Simondon contrasts artisanal and industrial modalities, highlighting the separation of information and energy sources in industrial production and the resulting affective tensions. He suggests overcoming this through the development of technical networks and a focus on post-industrial realities. The study considers how technical objects can incorporate the technical mentality through reticular structures that integrate stable, lasting components with replaceable, standardized parts. Ultimately, Simondon envisions a technical mentality that extends into various domains, including the fine arts and architecture. Please note that the podcast covers key points from the source with synthetic voices, which may have glitches. It’s a reflective, not comprehensive, interpretation. Simondon, Gilbert, and Arne De Boever. “Technical Mentality.” edited by Arne De Boever, Shirley Murray, and Jon Roffe, 1–14. University of Edinburgh Press, 2013. https://doi.org/10.3366/edinburgh/9780748677214.003.0001. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit syntheticsynthesis.substack.com
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