Comments on: Data Models and Complexes of Subjectivation http://netzmedium.de/2009/03/03/data-models-and-complexes-of-subjectivation/ Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:02:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Eugene Costa http://netzmedium.de/2009/03/03/data-models-and-complexes-of-subjectivation/#comment-809 Eugene Costa Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:11:58 +0000 http://netzmedium.de/2009/03/03/data-models-and-complexes-of-subjectivation/#comment-809 An interesting and valuable exchange. In regard to the two lines of enquiry, one approach--external--is to grasp the inherent feedback and reflexivity in a "system", like global capitalism, that in effect "completes itself", evanescing in its spatially reflexive curve into ultimate Mandelbrotness. This is the exact opposite modally of a snake eating its tail. In fact the tail is force-feeding itself down the snake's gullet as information. This is happening, as any outside observer may see, whether or not one does anything. Indeed, in this case one may put an interesting new value on "observerhood" in a quantum context. An interesting and valuable exchange. In regard to the two lines of enquiry, one approach–external–is to grasp the inherent feedback and reflexivity in a “system”, like global capitalism, that in effect “completes itself”, evanescing in its spatially reflexive curve into ultimate Mandelbrotness. This is the exact opposite modally of a snake eating its tail. In fact the tail is force-feeding itself down the snake’s gullet as information.

This is happening, as any outside observer may see, whether or not one does anything.

Indeed, in this case one may put an interesting new value on “observerhood” in a quantum context.

]]> By: Theo Röhle http://netzmedium.de/2009/03/03/data-models-and-complexes-of-subjectivation/#comment-788 Theo Röhle Wed, 04 Mar 2009 07:12:39 +0000 http://netzmedium.de/2009/03/03/data-models-and-complexes-of-subjectivation/#comment-788 Hi Brian, thanks for your comments, I'll definitely have a closer look at the Future Maps text. Seems like it fits this discussion perfectly. The OII workshop probably won't result in a paper, since it's mainly discussion based. But check out the book from the <a href="http://world-information.org/wii/deep_search/en" rel="nofollow">Deep Search conference</a> coming up in June at <a href="http://www.transactionpub.com" rel="nofollow">Transaction Publishers</a>. My chapter contains similar points on governmentality and it's going to be a very interesting collection altogether. Best, Theo Hi Brian,

thanks for your comments, I’ll definitely have a closer look at the Future Maps text. Seems like it fits this discussion perfectly. The OII workshop probably won’t result in a paper, since it’s mainly discussion based. But check out the book from the Deep Search conference coming up in June at Transaction Publishers. My chapter contains similar points on governmentality and it’s going to be a very interesting collection altogether.

Best,
Theo

]]> By: Brian Holmes http://netzmedium.de/2009/03/03/data-models-and-complexes-of-subjectivation/#comment-787 Brian Holmes Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:24:24 +0000 http://netzmedium.de/2009/03/03/data-models-and-complexes-of-subjectivation/#comment-787 Hello Theo - I am pleased that you find my Guattari text useful: the idea was to resituate his and Deleuze's work within the rather vast social-science context that is only indicated rather elusively in their writing. So your response is exactly the kind I was looking for! In turn I find quite fascinating and pertinent your abstract on "Predictive Consumer Modeling as a Mode of Governance." The question of asymmetry is fundamental. We are constantly told in the neoliberal societies that we are all free, and so are massive corporations, to which commercial law gives the status of legal persons (despite the fact that they are immortal). But these corporate-persons now increasingly have (or can purchase) extraordinary capacities of data-gathering, analysis and modeling that allow them to map out the ways that flesh-and-blood individuals act, and even trace the contours of our desire. Their advantage over the rest of us is immense: with their information about our intimate existence they are able to shape the architectures of interaction that we inhabit on a daily basis. Not only cultural critique of the kind I do, but serious and disciplined social-scientific research is needed in these areas now, and it should be brought to the center of academic and governmental institutions. That's why I am curious to read your forthcoming paper. You might also be interested in my text "Future Map," which attempts both to establish the archaeology of predatory data-gathering systems (again, with extensive reference to postwar cybernetics), and to work out a Foucaultian interpretation of the way the use of this data structures contemporary capitalist society, drawing on the later Foucault who was no longer so concerned with discipline but rather with internalized governmentality. That text is here: http://brianholmes.wordpress.com/2007/09/09/future-map all the best, Brian Hello Theo -

I am pleased that you find my Guattari text useful: the idea was to resituate his and Deleuze’s work within the rather vast social-science context that is only indicated rather elusively in their writing. So your response is exactly the kind I was looking for! In turn I find quite fascinating and pertinent your abstract on “Predictive Consumer Modeling as a Mode of Governance.” The question of asymmetry is fundamental. We are constantly told in the neoliberal societies that we are all free, and so are massive corporations, to which commercial law gives the status of legal persons (despite the fact that they are immortal). But these corporate-persons now increasingly have (or can purchase) extraordinary capacities of data-gathering, analysis and modeling that allow them to map out the ways that flesh-and-blood individuals act, and even trace the contours of our desire. Their advantage over the rest of us is immense: with their information about our intimate existence they are able to shape the architectures of interaction that we inhabit on a daily basis. Not only cultural critique of the kind I do, but serious and disciplined social-scientific research is needed in these areas now, and it should be brought to the center of academic and governmental institutions. That’s why I am curious to read your forthcoming paper.

You might also be interested in my text “Future Map,” which attempts both to establish the archaeology of predatory data-gathering systems (again, with extensive reference to postwar cybernetics), and to work out a Foucaultian interpretation of the way the use of this data structures contemporary capitalist society, drawing on the later Foucault who was no longer so concerned with discipline but rather with internalized governmentality. That text is here:

http://brianholmes.wordpress.com/2007/09/09/future-map

all the best, Brian

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