By Amir Benkelai
I begin this post by asking myself whether the reason for choosing the Dead Media, Living Data: Hacking the Archive workshop was what I got out of it. My answer is yes. I chose the workshop because of my interest in archives and analog technologies. Further breaking this down, I saw the workshop as an opportunity to expand my knowledge in the archiving and researching of analog technologies. My interest in archives stems in of itself from an old desire to become an archivist, which turned to an interest in archival study, so I can one day archive my digital and physical identities. My interest in analog technologies is to myself vague; I only know partly that having watched many videos online of people breaking apart such technology or experimenting with it has had an effect. The workshops then expanded my understanding on both archiving and older technology by introducing me to media genealogy and the Torontonian school of thought in communication and media studies.
I will now first reflect on my experiences with media genealogy. To understand this methodology is to first define media as medium through which something can be achieved. To add to this is that any such medium then is also a piece of technology, or, that all technology is media. In media genealogy work, one explores how power, taken as infrastructure—pipes, electricity, transportation routes— writing systems and its materiality, and so on, relate to a piece of media. The instructors used the chair found in offices to explain this. Whilst not common today, in the past, many offices had a 3 wheel chair design, which risked tumbling over when one rested backwards. These chairs were slowly swapped out for another design because they pose a safety hazard. Such a safety hazard then extends to the power exercised by those in charge of the workplace; worker safety and corporate liability. This method of studying a piece of media or technology is part of the broader field of media studies and is inspired by the works of Michel Foucault and Friedrich Nietzsche. In learning this methodology, I realized that when I began thinking of appliance history, and how there does not exist one cohesive source of information on appliances, with it instead spread across disciplines and texts, I was thinking of media genealogy. For example, when I wanted to trace the developments in the microwave oven, I basically sought to do media genealogy. I chose not to do this for the course due to time constraints.
Moving to reflecting on media studies now, this is the part of the workshop that was most dense. We looked at media studies from its foundational texts and the theoretical frameworks used to understand hacking; in other words, hacking ethics. The instructors covered the theories of Harold Innis, Marshall McLuhan, Walter Ong, Ursula Franklin, Benjamin Bratton, Friedrich Kettler, Frank Pasquale, Jeremy Packet et. al, and Alan Lui et al. The predominant aim of these theories was to outline how technology, especially digital technology, is used to project power, which is to also say, their use in creating a nation if not empire. They then each work with each other to help criticize how technology is used today and comment on the continued effects of colonialism. Innis, McLuhan, Ong, and Franklin specifically are whose works creates the Torontonian school of thought of media studies.
Thinking of what I learned, I definitely hope to find the time to do some more reading on the work of some of the influential thinkers in the Torontonian School. Learning these theories in brief in the workshop did make me realize—compounded by approximately three academic semesters of studying structures of power, colonialism, slavery, violence, and so on— the importance of mental health care and rest. Hence, I am embarking a project where I am trying to not expose myself too much to this form of content, so I can have a small mental break this semester, whilst expanding my skills in audio production.
Also, the one thing I wish there was more of in the workshop series, is more practical. The division of theory in the morning practical in the afternoon was great, but during the afternoon, especially on Wednesday and Thursday, I did not find it as stimulating as I hoped. However, I did enjoy Monday’s practical, even though I had no device of my own to break into. Finally, I ask myself: would I take this course again? Honestly, not sure, but I would say it is very likely. I am curious for sure, too, if media studies will survive the ongoing purge of the humanities.