Technology, Maturity, and Craft: Making Vinyl Records in the Digital Age

Robin Holt, Rene Wiedner*

*Corresponding author af dette arbejde

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Abstract

Drawing from Michel Foucault’s reading of Immanuel Kant’s essay “What is Enlightenment?,” and specifically his definition of ascesis, we associate maturity with a capacity for, and interest in, forming the self. On the basis of an empirical study of making vinyl records following the successful commercialization of digital media, we identify micro-disciplinary techniques of self-forming that emerge as enthusiasts steadily learn the craft of vinyl record manufacturing. It is, we argue, through technology, rather than against it, that organizational immaturity can be resisted. Craftwork involves testing and transforming, rather than just acquiring, traditional skills. Maturity involves an ongoing struggle of selectively and reflectively engaging with technologies via attempts to be the subject of one’s own subjection. The former contributes to the latter.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftBusiness Ethics Quarterly
Vol/bind33
Udgave nummer3
Sider (fra-til)532-564
Antal sider33
ISSN1052-150X
DOI
StatusUdgivet - jul. 2023

Bibliografisk note

Published online: 18 January 2023.

Emneord

  • Technology
  • Foucault
  • Ascesis
  • Heidegger
  • Craft
  • Vinyl
  • Digital
  • Analogue

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