The Inhuman: Reflections on Time

The Inhuman is a delightfully urgent series of theoretical texts calling the reader to action. Lyotard begins by almost yelling at us, presenting the current state of information as a restricting future of automated isolation that prohibits the freedom of expression, compromising quality of life through self regulated participation. Ouch, this is a painfully clear concept if one is to consider the history of western religiosity-politics and the current state of new media. Both rely on virtual consumption. To follow Lyotard's concepts it may be best to familiarize one's self with some post modern philosophy and general media theory. It is my personal feeling that those I've spoken to, that felt unclear about the work didn't understand some assumptions the text makes. First of all, the construction is brilliant, playful and participatory its self-using the medium to further convey core concepts. These ideas include mass culture's descent from reality, general concepts of linguistic reception and the important gender divisions that occur in isolated system designs. This is a frightening series of essays, it is almost as if Lyotard was mapping relationships between economics and communication. If so, this might be the research he decided to share at the end of his life. Sadly, this is his final work. I personally find The Inhuman, essential reading for anyone working in new media, especially during our current economic climate.