Technopanic, a Metamodern Phantasmagoria

Abstract

David F. van der Merwe

This paper examines the anaesthetic effect of labour and production that dulled audience perception in the face of urban phantasmagoria within the cities of Western Europe during modernity, as noted in the works of Walter Benjamin. It then likens this effect to the narcosis and fear responses generated by the overwhelming spectacle of digital media content within the contemporary era of metamodernity. The objective is therefore to explore the historical concept of phantasmagoria, as per Benjamin, and summarily distil its essential nature via phenomenological interrogation before aligning this conceptual framework with clear supporting examples drawn from both eras in order to reinforce this parallel phenomenon. In so doing, the argument can thus be put forward that metamodern digital media and the associated impact it has on its users can indeed be labelled as phantasmagoric in nature.

PDF