Joanna Zylinska Books

An investigation of the future of various media industries and technologies that considers how media shape our future.How do we combat post-truth in the news? Are social media influencers the journalists of today? What is it like to live in a smart city? Does AI really change "everything"? The Future of Media investigates the future of media industries and technologies (journalism, TV, film, photography, radio, publishing, social media), while exploring how media shape our future—on a political, economic, cultural and individual level. Issues of diversity, media reform, labour, activism and art take the discussion into a wider social context. Through this, the book celebrates the importance and vitality of media in the modern world. The Future of Media is also an experiment in collaborative modes of thinking and working. Co-authored by theorists and practitioners from one of the world’s most established media departments, it offers a radical, creative and critical take on media industries—and on world affairs.

Exploring the intersection of art and technology, Joanna Zylinska challenges the perception of AI as merely a tool for creativity. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the human role within the evolving landscape of computation and robotics, addressing critical issues such as labor, robotization, and existential threats. By critiquing the socio-political foundations of artificial intelligence, the book raises essential questions about the nature of art-making and creativity in contemporary society.

Exploring the evolving relationship between photography and nonhuman elements, Joanna Zylinska presents a philosophy that critiques human-centric imaging practices. She highlights how modern photography, influenced by technology like drones and CCTV, often operates without human agency. Zylinska argues that all images, even those created by humans, are shaped by mechanical and cultural algorithms. By examining the interplay of control and creativity in photography, she advocates for new ways of seeing and understanding the medium's role in documenting human existence and envisioning future possibilities.

The book explores the evolution of photography through computational advancements and how algorithm-driven images, such as CGI and AI, alter human perception. By merging media theory with neuroscience, it delves into the implications of living in a world dominated by continuous image streams and machine-generated visuals, offering insights into the intersection of technology and human experience.

Kniha hledá koncepční rámec pro takové pochopení obrazových médií, jejich vizuality a percepce, jaké odpovídá situaci, kde člověk nefiguruje jako objekt, aktér ani adresát. V tomto ohledu jsou totiž klasické teorie fotografie, které se zaměřují na indexikalitu nebo pěstují konvenční narativ člověk versus stroj, už bez užitku. Zylinska proto přesouvá pozornost na ne- reprezentativní aspekty fotografické tvorby. S jejich pomocí představuje fotografii jako životodárnou sílu, formativní životní činnost i médium, které má moc adekvátně reagovat na mezní situaci, v níž se lidstvo a tato planeta ocitají.