Media Theory Meets STS - Roundtable

Abstract

There is much exciting work being done at the intersection between media theory and STS. As objects become ‘smart,’ as in the Internet of Things, smart homes, and smart cities, they will continue to shape our knowledge of the objectified world we have constructed since at least the 18th century. Contra McLuhan, but in line with the recent work of John Durham Peters, the human body becomes medium; and scientific knowledge is dependent on novel and emerging mechanisms of (prosthetic) sensation and perception that allow for the observation of phenomena. This panel brings together scholars working in this emerging area to explore how attention to media theory can inform STS and how STS can inform the study of media theory.

We invite scholars from the fields of media studies and science and technology studies to engage in theoretically and empirically informed dialogues, which investigate and define the relationship(s) between media formats and the production of knowledge in both contemporary and historical periods. Our goal in convening this panel is to set an agenda for the productive mingling of these fields towards an understanding of the epistemologies and possible practices that are embedded in the media-objects with which we engage. In short: to know knowledge-as-mediation, and mediation-as-knowledge. Each panelist is invited to bring one object (slide, film clip, written excerpt, piece of technology …) which for them operates in both media theory and STS. After a short presentation of each object, a panel discussion will ensue.

Discussants

• Garnet Hertz, Emily Carr University of Art & Design

• Sebastian Gießmann, University of Siegen, Germany

• Melissa Gregg, Intel

• Noopur Raval

• Heather Wiltse, Umeå Institute of Design, Umeå University

Session Organizer

• John Seberger, University of California, Irvine