Ensnared within the mechanical heart of the vessel
In the digital age, a joke across the interweb showcases humanity's struggle to prove its existence: identify images containing traffic lights. This lighthearted jest, though absurd, holds a grain of truth. In Martina Heßler's "Sisyphus in the Machine Room. A History of the Fallibility of Man and Technology," she delves into the relationship between humans and technology, highlighting our inherent imperfections in contrast to the perfection of machines.
Heßler asserts that our understanding of what it means to be human is shaped by our differences from machines. The book chronicles the evolution of technology as a means to create a better society, while assessing the human-machine dynamic as a critical component of modern society.
Fallible Humans in the Machine Room
Heßler's work demonstrates that the notion of the fallible human emerges in response to the infallible machine, a concept only recognized within the machine room. Through the lens of "techno-chauvinism," humans have been criticized for their physical limitations, mistakes, and even sin. However, the fallible human is not a constant in anthropology; it is an evolving concept, shaped by the machines we create.
Renowned data journalist Meredith Broussard coined the term "techno-chauvinism" to address the tendency to attribute superior virtues to technological devices. Heßler's own interest lies in exploring the complex relationship between humans and machines, what she terms "technianthropology."
The historian draws on philosopher Günther Anders' pessimistic critique of technology, particularly the "Promethean gap," the divide between human and machine capabilities, with the latter surpassing their creators in precision, efficiency, and performance.
Although Anders' work is prominent throughout the book, Heßler critically examines and historicizes his ideas. The now-obsolete technique described in "The Obsolescence of Human Beings" challenges the traditional image of the flawed human and perfect machine, a dichotomy that originated in the early 19th century and persists to this day.
The Modern-Day Sisyphus
Heßler's book is divided into five chapters, each focusing on distinct technological eras, ranging from the Industrial Revolution to artificial intelligence and cybernetic bodies. In these chapters, Heßler presents counternarratives that challenge techno-optimism and champion humanism. She illustrates the paradoxes embedded within the dual figure of the flawed human and infallible machine and traces the growth of a new technical era characterized by flawed technology.
The book's central thesis is embodied in the figure of the "modern Sisyphus," a human laboring endlessly in the machine room to maintain and develop machines that have outgrown them. This Sisyphus serves as a metaphor for humanity's tireless pursuit to correct technological errors, ultimately reinforcing the paradoxes shown in the book.
Beware of Terminological Inflation
Heßler's book is a valuable contribution to the current debate on technology, refusing to be categorized as either techno-optimistic or techno-hostile. However, some critics argue that the repetition of commonly used terms such as solutionism, technological fix, and techno-chauvinism, while informative, may deter readers with a more comprehensive understanding of these concepts.
Overall, Martina Heßler's "Sisyphus in the Machine Room. A History of the Fallibility of Humans and Technology" offers insights into the complex relationship between humans and technology, challenging our assumptions and inviting reconsideration of technological progress and its impact on society.
- Heßler's work argues that our perception of what it means to be human is shaped by our interaction with technology, focusing on the human-machine dynamic and its influence on modern society.
- The book delves into the evolution of technology as a tool for societal advancement, exploring the human-machine relationship through the lens of "technianthropology," a term coined by Heßler herself.
- Through the explorations of various technological eras and counter-narratives, Heßler presents the image of the "modern Sisyphus," a human laboring endlessly in the machine room to maintain and develop machines, embodying humanity's persisting struggle and paradoxical relationship with technology.
