About this Event
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Sybille Krämer presents the first ICCIT Annual Lecture, "The cultural history of digitization. A reflection on the 'cultural technique of flattening'":
We live in a three-dimensional world, but we are surrounded by illustrated and inscribed surfaces. A history of the 'cultural technique of flattening' unfolds with the invention of pictures, writing, diagrams, and maps; this is radicalized in the ubiquity of interfaces and the smartphone. We have to interpret the anthropotechnique of flattening as a creative potential. What is the secret of its productivity? And what is the connection between the operativity of inscribed surfaces and contemporary digitalization? In response, the lecture develops three theses: (1) The productivity of flattening is based on being a medium that can convert time into space and vice versa. (2) Embryonic forms of the digital already exist alongside alphanumeric writing: Use of computers and the digital can be separated. (3) The essence of contemporary digitalization is based on new forms of dealing with written data. This can be illustrated by the chatbots of Artificial Intelligence.
About the speaker:
Sybille Krämer was Full Professor for Philosophy at the Free University in Berlin; since retirement (2019) Guest Professor Institute Cultures and Aesthetics of Digital Media, Leuphana University Lueneburg. Previously a member of the German ‘Scientific Council’ (2000-2006), of the European Research Council (2007-2014)); member of the ‘Senat’ of the ‘German Research Foundation’ (2009-2015), ‘Permanent Fellow’ at the ‘Wissenschaftskolleg’ zu Berlin (2005-2008). Several International Visiting Professorships and Fellowships; 2016 Honorary Doctorate by Linköping University/Sweden.
Research Areas: Mathematics and philosophy in 17th century; Language and Writing, Media Philosophy and Theory of Cultural Techniques; Digitality and History of Computation; Performative Studies; Testimony and Witnessing.
About the ICCIT Annual Lecture:
The ICCIT Annual Lecture is organized by the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology, at the University of Toronto Mississauga. ICCIT researches the relationship between humans and technology, and is a communication and media department for the 21st Century.
The ICCIT Annual Lecture features invited scholars who bring different theoretical orientations, philosophies, and methodologies to human-technology problems.
Time and Location:
Thursday April 11, 2024 from 2:30 to 4pm, with reception to follow.
University of Toronto Mississauga, Collaborative Digital Research Space (CDRS), located in Maanjiwe nendamowinan (room MN3230).
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, Canada