Mark Fisher's 'Flatline Constructs' explores the concept of flat line constructs, blurring the distinction between the animate and inanimate.
Fisher proposes a new understanding of Gothic materialism that intertwines with concepts of agency and the cyberspace.
Fisher's analysis delves into the complex interplay between cybernetics, biopolitics, addiction, and the human experience.
Deep dives
Early Mark Fisher and Flat Line Constructs
Flat Line Constructs provides a glimpse into the early Mark Fisher, revealing elements that differ from his later works like Capitalist Realism. However, there are also recognizable themes present. The text focuses on extending existing theories of science fiction and cyberpunk, drawing inspiration from various sources such as Jean Baudrillard and Marshall McLuhan. Fisher explores the concept of flat line constructs, which represents a zone where the distinction between the animate and inanimate blurs. He delves into the idea of agency without a subject and the possibilities that emerge from this cybernetic acceleration. Overall, Flat Line Constructs provides a bridge between CCRU decay punk and the beginnings of acid communism.
Gothic Materialism and Agency
The podcast episode delves into Mark Fisher's concept of Gothic materialism and its connection to cybernetic realism. Fisher juxtaposes the ideas of Deleuze and Guattari with Baudrillard, presenting a positive and negative version of Gothic materialism. He explores the notion that agency does not necessarily require being alive, and identifies a zone of radical imminence called the Gothic flat line. Here, the boundaries between the animate and inanimate are blurred, allowing for new approaches to theorization. Fisher also highlights the potential reconfiguration of the body through cybernetic technologies, emphasizing the idea of agency beyond traditional subjectivity. Overall, he proposes a new understanding of Gothic materialism that intertwines with concepts of agency and the cyberspace.
Cybernetics, Biopolitics, and Addiction
The podcast explores the intertwining themes of cybernetics, biopolitics, and addiction in Mark Fisher's work. Fisher discusses the idea of cybernetic realism and how it relates to the politics of healthcare in cyberpunk fiction. He examines the concept of addiction as a means for the machine to re-territorialize individuals and underscores its presence in William Burroughs' imagery. Fisher's view on addiction and biopolitics presents a critique of the inhumanistic elements in cyberpunk narratives, where humans become manipulable tools, devoid of agency. He also touches upon the implications of refinement and luxury in bourgeois society, drawing parallels to Hegel's philosophy of right and the cynic mode of life. In summary, Fisher's analysis delves into the complex interplay between cybernetics, biopolitics, addiction, and the human experience.
Cybernetic Realism and the Digital Space
Mark Fisher's book "Flatline Constructs" delves into the idea of cybernetic realism and how it pertains to the digital space. Fisher highlights that cyberspace is a fold, physically located in the real but unlocalizable. This perspective challenges the notion that online interactions are separate from the real world. It acknowledges the significant role that the digital realm plays in our lives, especially during the pandemic. Rather than dismissing it as hyper-real or fake, Fisher suggests embracing cyberspace as a genuine aspect of our existence and exploring new political and social perspectives within this context.
Questioning the Optimism of Cyberpunk and Cyborgs
Within discussions on cybernetics, Fisher delves into the optimism often associated with cyberpunk aesthetics and the concept of the cyborg. He argues that these ideas overlook the history of abnormality and the normalizing power present in societal structures. Fisher critiques the notion that the machines are more alive than humans, pointing out the dangers of attributing vitality to control and capture apparatuses. He highlights the importance of understanding biopolitics and the ways in which power operates, pushing for a critical examination of technologies and their role in shaping human authenticity and subjectivity.
We speak with James from Zer0/Repeater's current reading group, which is tackling Mark Fisher's dissertation entitled 'Flatline Constructs'. With James, Acid Horizon delves into the work's several concepts and philosophical mediators that appear in the first sections of the book. Please join us for a future reading group sessions on the Zer0/Repeater Patreon account linked below!
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