ZMK Zeitschrift für Medien- und Kulturforschung. Focus Producing Places

(:Unkn) Unknown, Mediarep.Org, Lorenz Engell, Bernhard Siegert
2022
and object-but, as a consequence, also the distinction of object and operation becomes a relative and transient one, very much like the one between place and space, place and non-place. It is quite clear that these two types of place-generating operations are interrelated in their turn. The operation of differentiation is not possible without decoupling of the formerly coherent and without a certain momentum of touch and tactility, as the operation of coupling requires distinct entities or
more » ... tions, which are subject to the operation of coupling. The example of recent positioning and navigation technologies illustrates the interrelation of the two types very clearly. The question remains, though, as to how we could ascribe a place to such entities and operations, which do not interrelate, positively or negatively, and which do not touch each other, cross each other, affect each other, or attach to each other. Are there places that are being produced not via coupling, be it firm or loose, nor via distinction of identity and difference, but via an otherness, which doesn't even allow for comparison nor for contact? Are there places of and for objects and operations that do not share anything with other entities, which are unable to inhabit the same place? And, if so, would such a place still fall under the concept of producing places in the double meaning mentioned initially? Wouldn't it rather, instead of being productive, have no impact and no effect whatsoever, and wouldn't it insofar figure as a mere and pure place residing in itself, a sheer place of being? And if so, wouldn't we have to concede that such a place cannot be produced, but just arrive? The question is very relevant philosophically, but it is also of notable practical relevance as far as media cultures and places of media and in media are concerned. Different media, serving as tools of distinction and coupling, produce different places in diverse manners-but do they cooperate in placing operations, do they share places at all, do they even have places? In McLuhan, we find the metaphor of two galaxies (i.e. media cultures and media universes) crossing each other on their way through outer space without interference, without touching, without even contacting or affecting each other in the slightest way. Does this take place? Do they, and does their non-encounter, inhabit one place at all? How could we conceive of such a place? Do non-interference and disentanglement, and do refraining and abstaining from productivity and operativity have a sitting room?
doi:10.25969/mediarep/18766 fatcat:y3sb2r23ynhhfei3ce3fbnisk4