The Question Concerning Technology (& Social Media) - Heidegger

I explore Martin Heidegger's essay The Question Concerning Technology and use it to analyze Social Media. Heidegger built on Aristotle's four causes to show how technology says something more fundamental about Being, veritas and Gestell (enframing).
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Heidegger Image:
Photograph of Martin Heidegger. Detail of a phototograph entitled : "W 134 Nr. 060678b - Hausen: Festakt, in der Reihe, Kultusminister Storz, Prof. Heidegger, Dichtel". Additional reference : Teilbestand W 134 (Neg. BaWü), Teil 1 - Fotosammlung Willy Pragher: Filmnegative Baden-Württemberg, Teil 1.
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[@L-_-T]

Holy shit, how could this unmonetized?! Consider me another patron. Your content is so thoughtful and genuine, and well-worth 10 cups of coffee. The algorithm devours all humanity i guess. Very sorry to hear that. Please don't stop making such insightful content, I share it with my students and several of them have mentioned it is among the most meaningful of the readings we've done throughout the semester. Thank you very much for your work.

[@ThenNow]

Thank you so much! Comments like this really mean a lot and help me keep going. Hello to your students!

[@srgkzy1294]

ill sum myself to the cause...

[@emilbrocado8573]

Because it has a political flavor.

[@hammadraza1000]

@@ThenNow I want to pledge 5 dollars a month. How to do this? Please brief me as I learn alot from this wonderful channel.

[@rockwitharms7455]

hammad raza follow the link in the description and go from there

[@JR-pp2xc]

F*ck finally ! Found this video ! I’ve search a lot of videos on KZbin about Heidegger for my subj Science Technology and society but I never found easy to understand like this ! Thank you so much more power -freshman college from the Philippines 😇

[@vanessamoreno3247]

Sameeeee

[@taguro4453]

tip?

[@kirizama2711]

I'm from the Philippines also and a freshman, This is also very helpful for me

[@LifeJenz]

Sameee

[@dubu5876]

same

[@thealmanac_4935]

Why would this channel get demonetized? It’s so educational

[@Attlanttizz]

Perhaps the number of subscribers? Or the number of views? Or the frequency of new videos?

[@DH-oj2ru]

Because YT algorithms censor material that is opposed to the hive mind's propaganda machine.

[@crisameim]

I love this video! The voice is relaxing but not boring, and the animation goes well with the video. Thank you for your efforts!

[@solinacharissedaphnep.4957]

It took me to 2 years to find this video. Char, may activity lang sa Sts kaya ko nandito.🙂

[@lorielynhagos]

hahahahahaha

[@ivandominicagbayani3013]

hahaha same

[@luniejuja7636]

Pakopya

[@ely_k2304]

late haha

[@miccoysaluta6379]

Hahaha same here

[@Bandicoot1982z]

Thanks!

[@India-kr8iw]

I am absolutely absorbed in your voice and tone of deconstruction of this. So good and beautiful interpretation. Love it

[@ThenNow]

Thank you to: Owen Pitcairn E.V. Roske and Andrey Simakov For sponsoring this video on Patreon. It's a huge help and is the only way I can make these videos, so thank you! ALL supporters get early access to scripts, audio, and upcoming research.

[@Attlanttizz]

Aside from Patreon, it's probably a good idea to get a sponsor for the channel. I see plenty of other content creators have one or more... of course a minute or a half minute of you recommending the sponsor is needed.

[@kokomanation]

Philosophy saves lives and people like you who spread it to the world save lives also .Great channel !!!!!

[@gaetissue]

I wish there were subtitles for us learners whose mother tongues are not english and are also not so used to deep accents. Overall, good content. 👌

[@hellas214]

there are subtitles . click the button that says cc in the bottom right

[@maripal2529]

@@hellas214 it's auto-generated so it would have mistakes here and there. And the mistakes would just gradually get more and more the deeper the accent is.

[@TheDavidWyper]

Could you do a video on phenomenology please?

[@gabrielb.dioquino4263]

finally, I somehow understand what Heidegger saying. This video is good.

[@MarcellDAvis1103]

A really great and thought provoking video. I love it!

[@oskaretc]

Pleding now. Hope you'll keep doing your thing, your videos are a godsend.

[@ThenNow]

Thank you very much! It's hugely appreciated and I'm glad you enjoy :)

[@LogicGated]

The visuals in this video were particularly nice.

[@nicolasruiz4643]

This is the best video in the whole Internet.

[@RomanDobs]

I have been a reader of Jung Heidegger and now Nick Land and Jason Reza Jorjani, we must think up to Heidegger but we must think beyond him and learn the new literacy of our new century we are 20 years in and we are all struggle up out of language and building our being in English but what we must instead concern ourselves with is becoming literate and masters of the Computer languages and that is why I study Data science even if his and your critique do not recognize this as human but I do I view Dasein as radically free to become any mode of professional expression.

[@mymom1462]

You and Truediltom should do a collab.

[@jakkelway]

How can this channel have been demonetized?! What happened? On what grounds? So much fantastic, educational, meaningful material! Please keep us informed re developments and DON'T disappear!!! Have just sent a paypal tip! Thank you 'Then and Now'.

[@ThenNow]

Thank you so much for the tip! Thankfully the channel has been remonetized. Much appreciated :)

[@rusirumunasinghe7354]

Amazing! Commenting again for recommendations!

[@yungjohnathan1188]

Immediately subscribed!

[@samanthagingco]

Wow. Very well explained. THANK YOU.

[@CEOofSleep]

OL CLASS PA NGA

[@erestrepo39]

Heidegger was a genius

[@aion5837]

Heidegger was also aware that technology has its own - not logic - but systems/drivers that we may be unaware of. So, we can be driven by technology without understanding why. Instrumental rationality may in part be causing this. Why have you been put into the gulag? Is it because you dare to discuss Heidegger? He is only one of the leading philosophers of the 20th century. Would they ban Sartre? Without Heidegger there would be no Sartre/Existentialism.

[@andrewcampbell8938]

These 'four causes' are actually a cloud of causes and veritas is clarity through 'forming' a thing so that it has meaning. What we see with technology is that it makes those unclear and blurry processes (that cloud of causes) become coded and clear forms or things; and in this way its just like language. What interests me here is that clarity is the illusion (or the construction) and reality in its natural form is a blurred sea of processes.

[@sltfilho]

Andrew Campbell Would you say that imbued in this cloud, and because it presents clarity, there is the risk of the false clarity being a huge mistake? Perhaps even the past shadow of WWII would say so. Also, what else is there about this idea that technology is outside of us, like a “supervenient power”? Thanks for sharing the knowledge!

[@zenden6564]

that's a brilliant observation I must say ❤

[@O.G.Rose.Michelle.and.Daniel]

This lecture made me think of Justin Murphy and Johannes Niederhauser, who are starting a class on Heidegger and Deleuze. I really enjoyed their conversation. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIa9f5R4fKtlpqM I think today Heidegger would be especially horrified by how we can’t take a walk in the woods anymore without thinking about potential tweets or posts we could make about our walk. Our “towardness” to the world has changed: everything is a potential commodity for our online lives. This by extension controls our horizons and ways of life in ways that even captures and “fences in” our imaginations: we live in societies of control in many ways. Because we want material for social media, in one sense, that means we might notice stuff better, but it’s like us noticing a broken doorknob: the fact stuff comes to our attention is a sign there is something broken. We are not immersed in being; instead, being has to prove itself worth being commoditized. Additionally, because everything could be a potential post, we often ask ourselves “Why don’t I make a post about this?” Since we can call our friends anytime, we have to wonder “Why don’t I call my friends?” and furthermore wonder what this means about us and if our friends our upset, etc. All of this makes it harder to be present and can increase existential anxiety (due to an increase of choices, as Barry Schwartz and Eric Fromm discuss). Walker Percy wrote about how it’s impossible now to fully experience the Grand Canyon because we’ve seen pictures of it ahead of time: the power of the Grand Canyon has been reduced. Additionally, when we see something beautiful, we say “that’s as pretty as a picture,” suggesting that our standards of beauty are representations of beauty, a strange paradox. It reminds me of how we confuse being(s) with Being, alluding to Heidegger. As Johannes Niederhauser puts it, everything today is “pre-formed,” and considering Walter Benjamin, perhaps what follows is that the world has lost its aura (not just art). It’s hard now to experience anything “in its origin,” and from this follows a kind of enslavement. “Being captured” entails being stuck seeing the world a certain way, which makes us like a cow in a fenced pasture: we have “free-range,” but not freedom. Escape requires learning to see things “for what they really are,” but how do we do that? I think Baudrillard might be important to note here, because once we are “entrapped” or “captured” by technology, there can be a “death of the real” that can make it hard to even see things for themselves to escape entrapment. If we cannot say for sure that the real is in fact real, then “captured-ness” becomes ontologically integrated into us, and the Heideggerian solution might prove particularly difficult to exercise. That leaves the Deleuzian option for escape, and certainly, art and creativity seem to play a key role, but can we go too far and erase all “givens,” which sociologists like Philip Rieff warn could be a dire mistake? I’m not sure. “Enframing” is what we’re trapped in today: technological, sociological, economic, academic political, and so on. Arguably, nearly everything is in the business of trying “enframe” us, countless means of socialization (as Jordan Peterson discusses), which again, might not be all bad if sociologists like Peter Berger are correct. And it’s not just elites or “rulers” who engineer our “capture”: we do it to ourselves. When my friends have cellphones and know I have one too, they can expect me to always be on call, and if I’m not, the friendship can be hurt (similar situations arise with work and laptops, etc.). Thus, I’m pressured to live with technology in a way that will shape my orientation to the world: “enframing” proves emergent and socially reinforced. If I want to be part of the solution then, part of the answer a least is that I free my friends, family, and coworkers from expectations that force them to be constantly plugged-in. From each “enframing,” different rationalities spring which only worsen the ways in which we are “captured.” To escape our rationalities, which are shaped by our “truths,” as I argue elsewhere, we need to learn how to move between truths and axioms without being nihilistic relativists. Indeed, like Murphy and Niederhauser, I think creativity and play are secrets to this program. At the same time, I think we can stay balanced by not losing sight of a “common life,” as described by David Hume, which is also key to avoiding “autonomous rationalities” in which “enframing” is especially likely and problematic. I agree with Hans Balthasar that beauty is primary in the formation of our lives and wonder if changes in our “towardness” due to technology impacts our capacity to be moved by the beautiful. If Gadamer is correct that aesthetics are important for overcoming “the hermeneutical circle” (which has ontological significance), this could prove to be a problem. I wonder if there is an inverse relationship between the presence of beauty and the presence of technology, but I also don’t deny that technology unlocks new artistic possibilities. I tend to side with Neil Postman: technology is always a Faustian bargain. I think today we are too far on the side of just accepting technology without any skepticism. For More: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmOxZKxpltNrgK8&feature=emb_title

[@christianbraveomecillo898]

This is beautifully educational.

[@johnmarktomonglay1751]

Shoutout sa among Instructor sa STS. 😂

[@satnamo]

De essence of technology is To make anything+everything Ready to order At a touch of a button.

[@RomanDobs]

This is definitely good content great visuals and interesting interpretation of MH question what the essence of technology is. The essence is not technical, but it is in fact a means of bringing about the acceleration of technology but Greek god PROMETHEUS

[@iberomagazineiberomagazine9251]

great video !! When something about Albert Camus ?

[@victorvaughn2]

You should definitely read and review Theodore Kaczynski's two books, "Technological Slavery" and "Anti-Tech Revolution." Both are extraordinary and highly insightful and original works. “Anti-Tech Revolution: Why and How is Kaczynski’s well-reasoned, cohesive composition about how revolutionary groups should approach our mercurial future….. I recommend that you read this compelling perspective on how we can frame our struggles in a technological society.” -The Tech, MIT’s oldest and largest newspaper “There are more than a few people who feel that society’s rush toward a technological future will lead to disaster. This book presents some pointers for thinking in broad, strategic terms about getting society off that particular road. …The reader will get a lot out of it. This is very highly recommended.” -Midwest Book Review

[@lsnnlmg]

Love this!

[@satnamo]

Greater than the danger of the atom bomb for humanity today is the essence of technology. The essential feature of technology is to reveal the real in the mode of ordering as `always-for-use': to make anything and everything available at the push of a button. I see in the essence of technology that man is under a power that challenges him and opposite which he is no longer free. Health, youth and freedom are the best blessings of life.

[@beingsshepherd]

In addition, is advanced modern technology not oriented to competition? oO(Why is youth a blessing?)

[@deliaguerra2014]

Thank you! I would like to make a donation, how I could do it?

[@deliaguerra2014]

I found out how. Did it!

[@ThenNow]

Thank you, Delia! Hugely appreciated :)

[@nicolasrosat5485]

Merci !

[@mattgilbert7347]

I guess KZbin felt threatened by MH's essay. No power relations to see here, move along! Good luck, sorry to hear about your demonetization.

[@laarnicaculba1876]

Watching here 😊 University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines AGROFORESTER STUDENT😊

[@paulmeerwald3571]

whats up with the melodramatic music?

[@MAMorelli]

Wouldn’t the causa formalis of social media be the user interface? The user interface is the form the social media takes.

[@RomanDobs]

Who owns the FUTURE-Jaron Lanier? You are not a gadget-Jaron Lanier

[@JoseAngelHernandez-PhD]

The irony of being unmenitized with the content of the video at hand...

[@magix8144]

I'm twelve and this is deep.

[@s.a.w5493]

I am having so much trouble citing this video for a paper because I can't find your name anywhere! You just say "I explore..."! AAA it's not in the About profile for you channel! I'm going to have to say "directed by Then&Now" :(((((((

[@MrTweedyDocumentaries]

Why did KZbin demonetise you? Hope you manage to continue.

[@rodv92]

Because it challenges our views on technology. It raises a question. Tech giants want technology consumption and not content that challenges their own existence by questioning the foundation upon which they are built.

[@janenpearlpuno3604]

STS brought me here☺️

[@bfh891]

brilliant

[@lisasolo9787]

Happy @UB

[@solinacharissedaphnep.4957]

Wala kong naintindihan, ang ganda ng accent.🙂

[@arnoldjeromepernia8505]

Same, dapat sana nilagyan ng subtitle

[@jessarelabo8520]

I'm here for my sts assignment lol

[@twiceaesthetic]

same po AHAHHA

[@cherlouagustin4642]

@@twiceaesthetic pakopya naman 🥲

[@cyndamon]

@@cherlouagustin4642 Nakakopya kana ba?? Patingin nga

[@ip-sum]

What a fucking banger

[@ObeySilence]

Zuckerberg and the Google CEO should watch this.

[@k4y23]

they probably demonetized you because you are making people think by making complex ideas comprehensible to the public. not everyone can do that. and thinking people are not convenient to those who want to advance their interests...whatever these interest are.

[@shredbettystixx]

Of course they demonetized such an important page/topic. Unless you're not swinging your tits around and flaunting about sex, fame and fortune, it's not worth paying you to stay afloat. I value your page. Please let me know where I can make contributions. Thanks for the valuable topic and this important video.

[@rochelynsilaynon9205]

STS tulong

[@flaumjaze8331]

I'm listening but I'm not comprehending 😑

[@alskywell]

Great video. My only quibble is the sad and depressing music playing in the background. No need to play music. The content should stand on it's own. It's interesting enough without emotive music trying to produce the audience into a prod state.

[@Hollowdude15]

LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO😊

[@cryp35]

The BBC should be enframing what information we get, not social media 😜

[@Aaaaaaaa-ix4rp]

Neither should..

[@mikialfajaro643]

dahil sa stas andito ko hayop onedot kung kayo rin

[@MartyMD]

Over and over people think the Aristotle's form is it's "shape". No it's not. Bad characterization of Aristotle.

[@rockwitharms7455]

MartyMD How would you characterise the form? Would you still say that it is the physical construction of the thing, including the shape in addition to colour, weight, texture etc? Or something wholly different, perhaps?

[@jakkelway]

@@rockwitharms7455 Come on MartyMD where's your reply then? It's easy to be critical!

[@pycoah2318]

STAS Activity hahah

[@hordechess7629]

I don't think anyone can be a social democrat after seeing this video get demonetized

[@weirdguy4948]

wow, this video made no sense

[@rickamaeorganista4157]

STS activity hshshs

[@carolinekaye8926]

Demonetised because it gives the game away.

[@ObeySilence]

There was a ad in this video. It's disgusting that you allow that. Why is life so commodified in the Anglo-American world?

[@JDG-hq8gy]

He needs ad revenue so that he can make these videos, it’s a necessary evil. Hell, sometimes it’s not evil depending on what the ad is for and how it goes about marketing that product.

[@myrandadiaz8979]

What the fuck is with KZbin, honestly?

[@JosiahWarren]

Nope you just mumbling generic stareotypes about technology and springle some random heidegger concepts. Don't

[@jakkelway]

??? Where's your better version then?