Decoding Digital Culture with Science Fiction

Beschreibung

Science fictional thinking – building on cultural theory and landmark SF films – is the best way to decode how digitalization is transforming society.
How do digital media technologies affect society and our lives? Through the cultural theory hypotheses of hyper-modernism, hyperreality, and posthumanism, Alan N. Shapiro investigates the social impact of Virtual/Augmented Reality, AI, social media platforms, robots, and the Brain-Computer Interface. His examination of concepts of Jean Baudrillard and Katherine Hayles, as well as films such as Blade Runner 2049, Ghost in the Shell, Ex Machina, and the TV series Black Mirror, suggests that the boundary between science fiction narratives and the »real world« has become indistinct. Science-fictional thinking should be advanced as a principal mode of knowledge for grasping the world and digitalization.

Autor*in

Alan N. Shapiro

Themen in »Decoding Digital Culture with Science Fiction«

Science Fiction Science Fiction Media Theory Media Theory Posthumanism Posthumanism Creative Coding Creative Coding Digital Cuture Digital Cuture Marxism Marxism Critical Theory Critical Theory Media

Stimmen zu »Decoding Digital Culture with Science Fiction«

»Shapiros poetics of coding certainly enriches the scientific and philosophical debate in view of the fact that artificial intelligence (AI) is now considered a sparring/ jarring partner. Thanks to Shapiros background in the philosophy of science, the book mobilises an impressive array of theoretical references bridging any so-called divide between Continental and Analytic Philosophy.«
Vanessa A.C. Freerks ()

»Shapiro's work unveils an all-encompassing framework that masterfully integrates a myriad of  perspectives from cultural studies, media theory, and science fiction theories in the realm of popular culture. This meticulously crafted structure delves into the intricate concepts of hypermodernism, hyperreality, and posthumanism to offer profound insights into the transformative impact of digital media technologies both at the societal and individual levels.«
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Besprochen in: Science Fiction Film & Television, 18/2 (2025), Curtis Rundstedler Journal of Cultural Analysis and Social Change, 10/1 2025, Christopher Clarke-Dawson Liverpool University Press, 31.03.2026, Spiros Makris
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»Shapiro believes that creative software coding and re-coding must not only be a new way of resistance but a positive vision for new embodiments, new poetic modulations, and new music-like resonances. If this is one way to read Shapiro's seminal book on Digital Culture Studies, another way is to read it as a post-art performance of Creative Coding. He is one of the contemporary trailblazers in the designing and implementation of digital software re-coding. He resists and transforms the social, political, and cultural "reality" by playing the risky game of hyper-modernism, hyperreality, and post-humanism. What makes him a new critical theorist is that he pulls together material that ranges from physics and digital technology to mainstream philosophy and science-fiction literature. Shapiro achieves an understanding of digital processing, software design, and code poetry with a radical theory of writing that goes beyond Barthes and Derrida. Creative Coding is an interdisciplinary informatics in which coding and re-coding are contextualized with philosophical, poetic, political, aesthetic, and design knowledge.« 
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»Shapiro's vast knowledge of current media theories is amazing. His book is highly recommended for students in the discipline. I am most inspired by Part Three where he reveals his competence in computer science derived from his practice as a software developer. He does not simply write ›about‹ coding but knows its practices. With his emphasis on Creative Coding, he defends the human-centered approach. I congratulate him on his book, and may it get the attention it deserves!« 
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»I am writing to express my excitement about your phenomenal work Decoding Digital Culture with Science Fiction. Your book has provided me with so much new knowledge and information to build upon and learn from! I find your book incredibly well thought out, planned, structured, and explained. It offers so much to learn and is very multidisciplinary. Finding your book was incredibly meaningful to me and a significant breakthrough. It felt like someone finally understood my line of thought and the kind of interdisciplinary research I am passionate about! I love the way that you apply media studies theories to literary works and science fiction. This kind of comparative and interdisciplinary research is quite rare and challenging.« 
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»Shapiro's poetics of coding certainly enriches the scientific and philosophical debate in view of the fact that artificial intelligence (AI) is now considered a sparring/ jarring partner. Thanks to Shapiro's background in the philosophy of science, the book mobilises an impressive array of theoretical references bridging any so-called divide between Continental and Analytic Philosophy. His manifesto-like style is energetic, and his rhizomatic framing is original…  As a software developer, Shapiro is an insider to computing, coding and AI, and he infuses an important interdisciplinary perspective. Those interested in technology will find themselves reading about unexpected aspects of art, history and culture, while readers interested in philosophy, culture and history will gain an understanding of the various aspects of digital media technologies coding as well as debates in AI.« 
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»Alan N. Shapiro is one of the sharpest thinkers on culture today. Like the French philosophers he refers to in this book, he is ahead of his time. While most critics are still looking at hyper-reality and post-truth through the false/true lens, Shapiro addresses our crisis of reality with a new awareness of our own position in it, acknowledges the role of technology, informatics and capitalism in all that we do. His defence of Baudrillard is long overdue, and so is his update of concept of Simulacra, bringing it into the now. If you are looking for a better and deeper understanding of times, I think you must read this book. The text is full of references to films and stories, creating moments of lightness and entertainment among the big ideas. 
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»Da unsere Welt zunehmend von Algorithmen, Simulationen und automatisierten Entscheidungen geprägt wird, erscheint Shapiros Werk dringlich und notwendig. Es ist ein Buch, das weite Verbreitung finden sollte, nicht nur wegen seiner intellektuellen Tiefe, sondern auch wegen seines Potenzials, unsere Art zu lehren, zu gestalten und uns digitale Zukünfte vorzustellen zu verändern.«
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»As our world becomes increasingly shaped by algorithms, simulations and automated decisions, Shapiro’s work feels urgent and essential. It is a book that deserves to be widely read, not only for its intellectual depth, but also for its potential to transform the way we teach, design and imagine digital futures.« (translated from German)
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»Shapiro's work unveils an all-encompassing framework that masterfully integrates a myriad of  perspectives from cultural studies, media theory, and science fiction theories in the realm of popular culture. This meticulously crafted structure delves into the intricate concepts of hypermodernism, hyperreality, and posthumanism to offer profound insights into the transformative impact of digital media technologies both at the societal and individual levels.«
()

»Shapiros poetics of coding certainly enriches the scientific and philosophical debate in view of the fact that artificial intelligence (AI) is now considered a sparring/ jarring partner. Thanks to Shapiros background in the philosophy of science, the book mobilises an impressive array of theoretical references bridging any so-called divide between Continental and Analytic Philosophy.«
()

Reviewed in: Science Fiction Film & Television, 18/2 (2025), Curtis Rundstedler Journal of Cultural Analysis and Social Change, 10/1 2025, Christopher Clarke-Dawson Liverpool University Press, 31.03.2026, Spiros Makris
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