Ideas How a German philosopher predicted our digital age
Oct 2, 2025
Craig Dessen, a documentary contributor, dives into Walter Benjamin's life and his intriguing idea of 'aura'—the energy surrounding original artworks. Owen Chapman, a communications professor and DJ, relates this to music, arguing that even physical imperfections in records contribute to their unique aura. They explore how Benjamin’s hashish experiments propelled his views on art and reproduction, revealing the implications of our digital age on cultural access and the commodification of art. Their discussion blends philosophy, history, and sound in an engaging way.
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Aura Explains The Original's Unique Presence
- Walter Benjamin coined 'aura' to describe the unique, distant presence surrounding original artworks.
- He argued mass reproduction (film, photography) withers that aura and changes how we experience art.
Benjamin's Radio Plays Shaped His Voice
- Benjamin wrote radio plays and children's lectures in late 1920s–early 1930s to earn a living.
- These broadcasts show his playful, poetic voice and prefigure themes from his later essays.
Hashish Experiments Informed 'Aura' Imagery
- In the 1920s Benjamin took hashish under medical supervision and wrote about it.
- He used that experience to describe aura as an ornamental halo enclosing an object or being.
