Are you curious about how our relationship with data and technology has evolved? Our book club is excited to announce our next selection: “How We Became Our Data: A Genealogy of the Informational Person” (e-book is available at this link). by Colin Koopman, Head of Philosophy & Director of New Media & Culture Certificate Program at the University of Oregon.
In this book, Koopman traces the historical development of data and information as they relate to individuals and how this has led to the current state of the “informational person.” He examines the ways in which data and information have been used to classify, quantify, and measure individuals and groups and explores the political and social implications of these developments.
This book is perfect for anyone interested in the history and philosophy of technology and data, as well as those concerned with privacy and the implications of the growing power of data in our lives.
This is an opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about the history and evolution of data and technology and to be part of a community of like-minded individuals passionate about this topic. Whether you’re an expert in the field or just starting your data journey, all are welcome to join.
Even if you haven’t had a chance to read the book yet, you’re still welcome to join our discussions. We will meet every other week in the Knight Library DREAM lab to discuss the book, and our meetings will be held both in-person and online. If you’re interested in joining our book club, please sign up by filling out this form (REGISTER HERE) We’ll send out an email with the schedule and more details soon after. We’re looking forward to exploring this fascinating topic with you!
Professor Koopman writes that summaries of parts of the book are available elsewhere in:
- An early preivew piece on ‘Infopolitics‘ from the New York Times (2014) and my more recent New York Times piece on Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica scandal (2018)
- “Information before information theory: The politics of data beyond the perspective of communication” in New Media and Society
- “Infopolitics, Biopolitics, Anatomopolitics: Toward a Genealogy of the Power of Data” in Graduate Faculty Philosophy Journal
- Or, see my talk “New Media, New Power?” at the University of Utah, or a more recent presentation on “Infopolitics” at my undergrad alma mater
