Haunted Media: Electronic Presence from Telegraphy to Television

Description

Haunted Media: Electronic Presence from Telegraphy to Television by Jeffrey Sconce is a fascinating exploration of the intersection between media technology and the supernatural, examining how electronic communication has been historically linked to ghostly presences, spiritualism, and cultural anxieties. Sconce traces the history of electronic media—from the telegraph and radio to television and early computers— and investigates how each new medium has been perceived as a conduit for mysterious, spectral forces. He explores how people in different eras have imagined media as portals to the afterlife, from the Victorian fascination with spirit communication via the telegraph to mid-20th-century beliefs about ghosts and paranormal phenomena being captured on television signals. Drawing from media theory, cultural history, and horror studies, Sconce analyzes how these ghostly associations have shaped popular culture, including science fiction, horror films, and conspiracy theories about electronic surveillance. He also delves into the psychological and philosophical implications of "electronic presence," questioning how media technologies blur the boundaries between reality and illusion, presence and absence, life and death. A key theme of the book is how electronic media has often been regarded as both a tool of scientific progress and a source of supernatural unease. Whether through the eerie voices on radio static, the flickering images of haunted televisions, or the idea of spirits communicating through digital signals, Sconce argues that our relationship with media has always carried a haunted dimension. Engaging and thought-provoking, Haunted Media is a must-read for those interested in media history, cultural studies, supernatural folklore, and the eerie ways technology shapes human perception.