Introduction and Structure of the Book

Abstract

The chapter provides an overview about the thematic structure of the book. For this purpose, the heuristic approach of a double precarity is introduced. On one hand, precarity can be understood as an unstable employment relationship and analyzed as an effect of neoliberal roll-back processes. Precarity and other societal power structures manifest in the digital age and are re-produced by the way, digital media are used. On the other hand the media change effects a stable instability or precarity. Due to the media change social practices throughout the diverse societal fields are questioned: new social spaces emerge which require new social practices and effect a stable instabiilty of the media use. This approach of a double precarity enables a systematically meta-perspective on the societal transformation processes which are connected with digitalisation. In line with this heuristic approach the different societal aspects and dimensions of the media change can be integratively thematized and discussed.