New course, new seminary: Paul Virilio

After a long break due to holidays and to the new course planification, we start announcing next wednesday is our first seminary for this course. 

In this season, we will read and discuss about Paul Virilio's work, "Speed and Politics". Book abstract from amazon says: "Speed and Politics (first published in France in 1977) is the matrix of Virilio's entire work. Building on the works of Morand, Marinetti, and McLuhan, Virilio presents a vision more radically political than that of any of his French contemporaries: speed as the engine of destruction. Speed and Politics presents a topological account of the entire history of humanity, honing in on the technological advances made possible through the militarization of society. Paralleling Heidegger's account of technology, Virilio's vision sees speed--not class or wealth--as the primary force shaping civilization. In this "technical vitalism," multiple projectiles--inert fortresses and bunkers, the "metabolic bodies" of soldiers, transport vessels, and now information and computer technology--are launched in a permanent assault on the world and on human nature. Written at a lightning-fast pace, Virilio's landmark book is a split-second, overwhelming look at how humanity's motivity has shaped the way we function today, and what might come of it."

Next post will be about the result of this seminary, but meanwhile, we want to expose the importance of this book for our research:

1. In first place, Virilio is one of the most known authors in the Social Sciences realm that works with speed concept. In fact, his main acknowledgement is by the "dromology" concept, or how war and technology are at the basis of the main events in the recent History.
2. Because we are working on acceleration operators, is important to know some implications and authors that have worked this concept either in other realms  and frameworks. Virilio and Halmut Rosa, for instance, are two of the most important exponents about this question (Maybe in future we will post about the Rosa's work).
3. We consider is also important to discuss this conception and wide it with our personal opinion, enriched along the two last years with our previous work. We hope learn not only from Virilio, but everyone who comes this wednesday.
4. Finally, we want to understand Virilio's work as a "door" whereby we can acces to a new range of authors and theories in order to write a new paper in the coming months.

That's all. We will be waiting for you next wednesday, at 11:00 in the Ana Garay's room, Social Psychology Deparment, UAB.

Thank you!

Photo Credit: Wikipedia