Nolen Gertz from the University of Twente in Enschede, Netherlands, will present “Nihilism and Technology” for the Philosophy Colloquium at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 28, in Stevenson Hall, room 401A.
Sponsored by the Department of Philosophy, the event is free and open to the public.
Abstract:
Rather than engage in endless debates about whether technologies are making us better or worse, Gertz investigates what we think “better” and “worse” mean, and what role this thinking has played in the creation of our technological world. Using Nietzsche’s philosophy of nihilism, Gertz explores the ways in which our values mediate how we design and use technologies. Examining our technological practices—practices ranging from Netflix and Chill to Fitbit and Move to Twitter and Rage—reveals how nihilism and technologies have become intertwined, creating a world of techno-hypnosis, data-driven activity, pleasure economics, herd networking, and orgies of clicking.
Those who need special accommodations to fully participate in this event can call (309) 438-7665.
