희토류와 전자폐기물에 대한 미디어 유물론 연구: 파리카의 ‘미디어자연’ 개념을 중심으로

Abstract

This paper introduces the concept of ‘medianatures’ suggested in the book, Geology of Media, by a media theorist Jussi Parikka. It is to understand media as a condition of contemporary life in the 21st century. Specifically, a process cycle of extraction, refinement, production and disposal is examined relating to the current issues of rare earth minerals and electronic wastes, Materials processing deals with minerals and chemicals supporting media industry and infrastructures. Also its cycle is accelerated by competitive modern technologies. By analyzing this, Parikka argues that media and nature are indistinguishable and subvert the notion of immateriality and newness of media. He illuminates that digital technology is hugely dependent on metals and minerals from the earth and how they are entangled with our everyday lives historically and geopolitically. By dealing with his perspective of media culture, this paper aims to prove that such theoretical attempts are needed as one of the ways to face the crisis of the Anthropocene.