Making a Magical Medium, or, How to Rip a Hole in the Fabric of Reality

Shira Chess (Accepted). “Making a Magical Medium, or, How to Rip a Hole in the Fabric of Reality.” Journal of Cinema & Media Studies.

Abstract: New technologies always carry a patina of magic. It has been well established that historical relationships between medium (telegraphy, photography, radio, film, and television) and the occult have co-emerged in parallel discourse. In this essay, I establish a historical parallel between late 20th century Technopaganism and the development of the internet. In line with early digital culture, Technopaganism can be characterized as (1) inherently DIY, (2) building off a hacker ethos, and (3) embodying a desire to exceed magical metaphors. Collectively, these characteristics suggest a medium that articulated a magically tinged user-centric desire to “hack” reality.

Shira Chess

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