In Virilio’s last section of Open Sky, he goes into deeper thought about the visual aspects of digital media. The questions in which are raised throughout the chapter are based around the quote by Gary Hill, “Vision is no longer the possibility of seeing, but the impossibility of not seeing.” Virilio then goes on to explain and examine how our visual world is replacing our written world.
Perception of the World
In his Eye Lust chapter, he talks about the ethics of contemporary perception. In regard to our contemporary perception, he raises the question, “Is what we are seeing an optical or, more precisely, an optoelectronic fetishism?” (p.90). Think about the visual world in relation to our written world. Like Virilio is questioning, I can see how in a sense this is confusing for our world as a whole.
Check Back to Reality
I thought it was very interesting to read Paul Virilio’s book at the end of this course. He took a different approach to digital media as a whole, and made it a point to get us to step back and check back to reality. Cyberspace is an upcoming popular phenomena if it isn’t already, but as someone from the outside, we need to slow down and appreciate the little things in life a little more than being caught up in the virtual world.
Your Thoughts
What do you feel as though the visual world is taking over? Anything at all? As a whole, are you one to agree with Paul Virilio and his notions on digital media and taking over our society today?