The intoxication of destruction in theory, culture and media : a philosophy of expenditure after Georges Bataille

This book examines the desire for, and intoxication with destruction as it appears in cultural objects and representation, arguing that all cultural and aesthetic value is fundamentally predicated on its own fragility, as well as the living transience of those who make and encounter it. Beginning with a philosophy of expenditure after Georges Bataille, each chapter maps different operations of destruction in media and culture. These operations are expressed and located in representations of human extinction and explosive architecture, in execution and in eroticism, and in media and digital archives, which constitute a further destabilization of the notion of destruction in the dynamic between aspirational immortality and material volatility embedded in the archival systems of digital cultures. This Book Examines The Desire For, And Intoxication With, Destruction As It Appears In Cultural Objects And Representation, Arguing That All Cultural And Aesthetic Value Is Fundamentally Predicated On Its Own Fragility, As Well As The Living Transience Of Those Who Make And Encounter It. Beginning With A Philosophy Of Expenditure After Georges Bataille, Each Chapter Maps Different Operations Of Destruction In Media And Culture. These Operations Are Expressed And Located In Representations Of Human Extinction And Explosive Architecture, In The Body And In Sexuality, And In Media And Digital Archives, Which Constitute A Further Destabilisation Of The Notion Of Destruction In The Dynamic Between Aspirational Immortality And Material Volatility Embedded In The Archival Systems Of Digital Cultures. Preface: The Intoxication Of Destruction -- Introduction: Destruction And Immortality -- Destruction 1: Energy -- Part 1: The General Economy -- Part 2: Sovereignty And Heterogeneity -- Destruction 2: World -- Part 1: Exploding Monuments (the Destruction Of Architecture) -- Part 2: Extinction (the Destruction Of Everyone Else) -- Destruction 3: Body -- Part 1: Spectacular Expenditure (from Sacrifice To Execution) -- Part 2: Eroticism (the Destruction Of Sexuality) -- Destruction 4: Matter -- Part 1: Accelerating Destruction (the Material Of Media) -- Part 2: The Material Of The Digital (computational Immortality) -- Conclusion: The Destroyers. Erin K. Stapleton. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Cover Table of Contents Acknowledgements Preface: The Intoxication of Destruction Introduction: Destruction and Immortality The Origins of Destruction, Immortality Expenditure and Destruction in Media Cultures Works Cited Destruction I: Energy Part 1: The General Economy Part 2: Sovereignty and Heterogeneity Works Cited Destruction II: World Part 1: Exploding Monuments (The Destruction Of Architecture) Part 2: Extinction (The Destruction of Everyone Else) Works Cited Destruction III: Body Part 1: Spectacular Expenditure (from Sacrifice to Execution) Part 2: Eroticism (The Destruction of Sexuality) Works Cited Destruction IV: Matter Part 1: Accelerating Destruction (The Material of Media) Part 2: The Material of the Digital (Computational Immortality) Works Cited Conclusion: The Destroyers Works Cited Bibliography Index