Invocational media
Encyclopedia
Invocational media are communication
technologies based on digital
computers. Invocational media infrastructures assign names (or addresses) to given entities (e.g. web pages with URLs, variables in programming, disk sectors with file allocation tables), and perform events to call up these named entities from invocable domains on demand (e.g. an HTTP request, a subroutine execution, a read or write to a hard disk
).
The theory of invocational media identifies the event of invocation as the defining feature (or force) of digital computing. By this theory, invocational events (invocationary acts) should be considered to be conditions for the formal and mathematical principles by which invocations are composed, and not vice-versa. That is, running a computer program (which is usually considered to follow its writing) is always (paradoxically) prior to its writing.
This theory draws on the philosophical monism
and empiricism
of Deleuze and Guattari and a theory of technology from actor-network theory
. It offers an interpretive framework to trace unbroken connections between the lowest technical levels of computer operations through the phenomenological
experience of users, the conceptual frameworks in discourse
, and political and economic structures, all of which are increasingly mediated by information technologies. The first order of invocation is the fetch-execute cycle, which puts command and memory into the same circuit. The second order of the invocation is the invocationary act by which users compose invocations to do things, but in doing so depend upon avocations and invocable domains that pre-exist that event. Finally, third order invocations are the concepts invoked to hold together invocational platforms: such as the metaphors of virtual reality
, artificial intelligence
, business information system, etc.
Term coined by Chris Chesher, Digital Cultures, University of Sydney
, Sydney, Australia.
Communication
Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...
technologies based on digital
Digital
A digital system is a data technology that uses discrete values. By contrast, non-digital systems use a continuous range of values to represent information...
computers. Invocational media infrastructures assign names (or addresses) to given entities (e.g. web pages with URLs, variables in programming, disk sectors with file allocation tables), and perform events to call up these named entities from invocable domains on demand (e.g. an HTTP request, a subroutine execution, a read or write to a hard disk
Hard disk
A hard disk drive is a non-volatile, random access digital magnetic data storage device. It features rotating rigid platters on a motor-driven spindle within a protective enclosure. Data is magnetically read from and written to the platter by read/write heads that float on a film of air above the...
).
The theory of invocational media identifies the event of invocation as the defining feature (or force) of digital computing. By this theory, invocational events (invocationary acts) should be considered to be conditions for the formal and mathematical principles by which invocations are composed, and not vice-versa. That is, running a computer program (which is usually considered to follow its writing) is always (paradoxically) prior to its writing.
This theory draws on the philosophical monism
Monism
Monism is any philosophical view which holds that there is unity in a given field of inquiry. Accordingly, some philosophers may hold that the universe is one rather than dualistic or pluralistic...
and empiricism
Empiricism
Empiricism is a theory of knowledge that asserts that knowledge comes only or primarily via sensory experience. One of several views of epistemology, the study of human knowledge, along with rationalism, idealism and historicism, empiricism emphasizes the role of experience and evidence,...
of Deleuze and Guattari and a theory of technology from actor-network theory
Actor-network theory
Actor–network theory, often abbreviated as ANT, is a distinctive approach to social theory and research which originated in the field of science studies...
. It offers an interpretive framework to trace unbroken connections between the lowest technical levels of computer operations through the phenomenological
Phenomenology (science)
The term phenomenology in science is used to describe a body of knowledge that relates empirical observations of phenomena to each other, in a way that is consistent with fundamental theory, but is not directly derived from theory. For example, we find the following definition in the Concise...
experience of users, the conceptual frameworks in discourse
Discourse
Discourse generally refers to "written or spoken communication". The following are three more specific definitions:...
, and political and economic structures, all of which are increasingly mediated by information technologies. The first order of invocation is the fetch-execute cycle, which puts command and memory into the same circuit. The second order of the invocation is the invocationary act by which users compose invocations to do things, but in doing so depend upon avocations and invocable domains that pre-exist that event. Finally, third order invocations are the concepts invoked to hold together invocational platforms: such as the metaphors of virtual reality
Virtual reality
Virtual reality , also known as virtuality, is a term that applies to computer-simulated environments that can simulate physical presence in places in the real world, as well as in imaginary worlds...
, artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its...
, business information system, etc.
Term coined by Chris Chesher, Digital Cultures, University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
, Sydney, Australia.