Dominic Pettman Livres

The Humid (More) Overheated Observations continues on the clicking heels of Dominic Pettman’s Humid, All Too Humid (2016), providing a companion volume of pithy and witty observations for our overheated age. Covering topics from pop culture to academia to romance to politics to human mortality to everything in between, this collection of pointed musings aims to amuse, edify, instruct, provoke, tease, caution, and inspire. As with the first installment, the spirit of this book represents a fusion of Montaigne and Wilde; a mashup of Adorno and Yogi Berra; a parallel channeling of Marx and Marx (both Karl and Groucho). No doubt, Hannah Arendt would be appalled at the irreverence on display within these pages. Then again, “Heidegger has left the bildung.” And as the author himself “I have nothing new to say. And I’m saying it!” Dominic Pettman is Professor of Culture & Media at the New School for Social Research and Eugene Lang College. He is the author of numerous books on technology, humans, and other animals, including Creaturely Love (Minnesota, 2017) and Sonic Intimacy (Stanford, 2017). Previous books published by punctum include In Divisible Cities, Humid, All Too Humid, and Metagestures.

Exploring the theme of apocalyptic endings, the book examines how this obsession has shaped post-Enlightenment culture. By applying Baudrillard's provocative question, the author analyzes a range of apocalyptic discourses from the decadent movements of the 1890s to the cyberpunk era of the 1990s. Dominic Pettman delves into the intricate interplay of emotions such as exhaustion, anticipation, panic, and ecstasy that characterize contemporary cultural experiences, revealing the underlying tensions that inform our current moment.

Exploring the deep connection between attention and identity, this book delves into how our focus shapes who we are. It argues that our choices in what to pay attention to directly influence our self-perception and existence. Through insightful analysis, it invites readers to reflect on their attentional habits and the implications for their personal and social identities.

A fascinating look at the role of animals in human love through the ages

It is often argued that contemporary media homogenize our thoughts and actions, without us being fully aware of the restrictions they impose.

The book serves as a crucial resource for understanding the technological symbols and cultural norms that shape our experience in the complex media landscape. It explores how these elements influence our interactions and perceptions, providing insights to better navigate the challenges of modern communication and technology.

Exploring the essence of humanity, the author challenges conventional notions that set humans apart from animals and machines, such as art or empathy. He posits that rigid distinctions are misleading, suggesting that the true "human error" lies in our tendency to define ourselves in opposition to others. By examining these relationships, the book invites readers to reconsider what it means to be human in a world shared with diverse beings.

Exploring the theme of apocalyptic endings, the author examines its pervasive influence in post-Enlightenment culture, from the decadents of the 1890s to the cyberpunks of the 1990s. The book delves into the dynamic tensions present in various apocalyptic discourses, revealing a complex interplay of exhaustion, anticipation, panic, and ecstasy that characterizes contemporary cultural experiences. By applying Baudrillard's provocative question, it invites readers to reflect on the implications of these narratives in today's world.

A new argument for why 'libidinal ecology' might help explain the decline of the human in the face of climate crisis--