From the central concept of the field-which depicts the world as a mutually interactive whole, with each part connected to every other part by an underlying field- have come models as diverse as quantum mathematics and Saussure's theory of language. In The Cosmic Web, N. Katherine Hayles seeks to establish the scope of the field concept and to...
N. Katherine Hayles here investigates parallels between contemporary literature and critical theory and the science of chaos. She finds in both scientific and literary discourse new interpretations of chaos, which is seen no longer as disorder but as a locus of maximum information and complexity. She examines structures and themes of disorder...
Separating hype from fact, this text investigates the fate of embodiment in an information age. It relates three issues: information as an entity separate from the material forms that carry it; the construction of the Cyborg; and the dismantling of the humanist subject in cybernetic discourse.
N. Katherine Hayles is known for breaking new ground at the intersection of the sciences and the humanities. In 'Unthought', she once again bridges disciplines by revealing how we think without thinking - how we use cognitive processes that are inaccessible to consciousness yet necessary for it to function. Marshalling fresh insights from neuroscience, cognitive science, cognitive biology, and literature, Hayles expands our understanding of cognition and demonstrates that it involves more than consciousness alone. Cognition, as Hayles defines it, is applicable not only to nonconscious processes in humans but to all forms of life, including unicellular organisms and plants. Startlingly, she also shows that cognition operates in the sophisticated information-processing abilities of technical systems: when humans and cognitive technical systems interact, they form "cognitive assemblages"--As found in urban traffic control, drones, and the trading algorithms of finance capital, for instance - and these assemblages are transforming life on earth. The result is what Hayles calls a "planetary cognitive ecology," which includes both human and technical actors and which poses urgent questions to humanists and social scientists alike. At a time when scientific and technological advances are bringing far-reaching aspects of cognition into the public eye, 'Unthought' reflects deeply on our contemporary situation and moves us toward a more sustainable and flourishing environment for all beings
Focusing on the evolution of electronic literature, N. Katherine Hayles presents a comprehensive survey that examines its genres and challenges to traditional literary theory. She argues for a new understanding that integrates both print and digital texts, emphasizing the interplay between humans and technology. Through close readings of significant works, Hayles highlights emerging narrative modes and the digital origins of contemporary literature. Accompanied by a CD of diverse electronic literature and a supportive website for educators, this book serves as a vital resource for integrating electronic literature into academic settings.
How do we think? The author poses this question at the beginning of this bracing exploration of the idea that we think through, with, and alongside media. She examines the evolution of the field from the traditional humanities and how the digital humanities are changing academic scholarship, research, teaching, and publication.
N. Katherine Hayles traces the emergence of what she identifies as the postprint condition, exploring how the interweaving of print and digital technologies has changed not only books but also language, authorship, and what it means to be human.
Addressing the urgent need for global action against environmental collapse, the author critiques human hubris and anthropocentrism as key contributors to current crises. By proposing an integrated cognitive framework (ICF), the book explores the interconnectedness of humans, nonhuman lifeforms, and artificial intelligence. Through case studies on gene editing, autopoiesis, and Gaia theory, it examines how these elements interact to foster both risks and opportunities, advocating for a positive path forward that considers the broader ecological context.