Symbiosis/Introduction - Revision history

Garyhall at 13:09, 1 April 2014

2014-04-01T13:09:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:09, 1 April 2014
Line 8:		Line 8:


	Different species, interacting in a symbiotic fashion, living together over a prolonged period of time, eventually co-evolving into new species: this vision of the biological phenomenon of symbiosis has created a strong impression—both of symbiosis as a metaphor and a material reality—of species in an intimate relationship together, cooperating in spite of differences, of becoming something else and transgressing boundaries. This idea has turned the concept of symbiosis, in its many guises and definitions,[1] into a ~~breading~~ ground for a posthuman, biologically and ecologically informed critique. Less focused on the biological process of symbiosis as such, our focus in ''Symbiosis: Ecologies, Assemblages and Evolution'' is more on how symbiosis can be used as a means to argue for an alternative worldview and even a better world. Interestingly, Angela Elizabeth Douglas notices a similar effect in her book ''The Symbiotic Habit'' (2010), where she talks about the growing importance of ‘applied symbiosis research’. Douglas refers above all to how research into symbiotic processes has the potential to help solve some of the practical problems mankind is facing through anthropogenically induced effects, such as climate change and environmental disasters; and in this way influence and improve (our) ecosystem(s) and make the world in which we live much healthier (Douglas, 2010: viii).		Different species, interacting in a symbiotic fashion, living together over a prolonged period of time, eventually co-evolving into new species: this vision of the biological phenomenon of symbiosis has created a strong impression—both of symbiosis as a metaphor and a material reality—of species in an intimate relationship together, cooperating in spite of differences, of becoming something else and transgressing boundaries. This idea has turned the concept of symbiosis, in its many guises and definitions,[1] into a breeding ground for a posthuman, biologically and ecologically informed critique. Less focused on the biological process of symbiosis as such, our focus in ''Symbiosis: Ecologies, Assemblages and Evolution'' is more on how symbiosis can be used as a means to argue for an alternative worldview and even a better world. Interestingly, Angela Elizabeth Douglas notices a similar effect in her book ''The Symbiotic Habit'' (2010), where she talks about the growing importance of ‘applied symbiosis research’. Douglas refers above all to how research into symbiotic processes has the potential to help solve some of the practical problems mankind is facing through anthropogenically induced effects, such as climate change and environmental disasters; and in this way influence and improve (our) ecosystem(s) and make the world in which we live much healthier (Douglas, 2010: viii).

	This living book consists of a number of examples of how symbiosis has been deployed. For instance, as a critique of the mainstream Darwinian idea of evolution as struggle; of the anthropocentric worldview that operates within the sciences and society at large; and of the idea of organisms or objects as static and isolated entities. Given the way in which symbiotic processes offer seeds for alternative worldviews, research on symbiosis has been taken-up as providing evidence for becoming as an infinite creative process, for the (animal, microbal, machinic, and/or virtual) other as an integral part of the multiple I, and for the integrated cooperation of living and non-living affects as one interconnected mesh.		This living book consists of a number of examples of how symbiosis has been deployed. For instance, as a critique of the mainstream Darwinian idea of evolution as struggle; of the anthropocentric worldview that operates within the sciences and society at large; and of the idea of organisms or objects as static and isolated entities. Given the way in which symbiotic processes offer seeds for alternative worldviews, research on symbiosis has been taken-up as providing evidence for becoming as an infinite creative process, for the (animal, microbal, machinic, and/or virtual) other as an integral part of the multiple I, and for the integrated cooperation of living and non-living affects as one interconnected mesh.

Pw: Unprotected "Symbiosis/Introduction"

2011-10-25T19:51:31Z

Unprotected "Symbiosis/Introduction"

← Older revision	Revision as of 19:51, 25 October 2011
(No difference)

Pw: Protected "Symbiosis/Introduction" ([edit=sysop] (indefinite) [move=sysop] (indefinite))

2011-10-11T13:14:13Z

Protected "Symbiosis/Introduction" ([edit=sysop] (indefinite) [move=sysop] (indefinite))

← Older revision	Revision as of 13:14, 11 October 2011
(No difference)

Janneke at 19:30, 9 October 2011

2011-10-09T19:30:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:30, 9 October 2011
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[http://www.livingbooksaboutlife.org/books/symbiosis Back to Contents of Symbiosis]		[http://www.livingbooksaboutlife.org/books/symbiosis Back to Contents of Symbiosis]


	[[Image:Cladonia macilenta.jpg\|182x200px\|Cladonia macilenta]] [[Image:Amphiprion percula.JPG\|265x200px\|Amphiprion percula.JPG]] [[Image:PloverCrocodileSymbiosis.jpg\|182x200px]]		[[Image:Cladonia macilenta.jpg\|182x200px\|Cladonia macilenta]] [[Image:Amphiprion percula.JPG\|265x200px\|Amphiprion percula.JPG]] [[Image:PloverCrocodileSymbiosis.jpg\|182x200px]]

Janneke at 19:27, 9 October 2011

2011-10-09T19:27:07Z

Show changes

Janneke at 19:18, 9 October 2011

2011-10-09T19:18:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:18, 9 October 2011
Line 69:		Line 69:
	This living book is divided in four sections. The first part of Symbiosis: Ecologies, Assemblages and Evolution looks at symbiosis as an evolutionary process, the second part at the relationship between symbiosis and ecology, the third at the role symbiosis played in discourses on the posthuman. The fourth part of the book then provides a more speculative glance into a future of augmented and virtual reality and an evolving symbiosis between the virtual and the real.		This living book is divided in four sections. The first part of Symbiosis: Ecologies, Assemblages and Evolution looks at symbiosis as an evolutionary process, the second part at the relationship between symbiosis and ecology, the third at the role symbiosis played in discourses on the posthuman. The fourth part of the book then provides a more speculative glance into a future of augmented and virtual reality and an evolving symbiosis between the virtual and the real.

	~~***~~

	Part one of Symbiosis: Ecologies, Assemblages and Evolution, which focuses on Symbiosis and Evolution, contains two articles that serve as both an introduction to, and an example of, symbiosis. The first of these, ‘How Symbiosis can Guide Evolution’, is an example of the use of the concept of symbiosis to battle by (neo)Darwinism inspired theories of evolution. It describes the creation of a computational model that shows how the formation of symbiotic relations in a given ecosystem influences genetic variation. It is followed by Fabio Lucian and Samuel Alizon’s ‘The Evolutionary Dynamics of a Rapidly Mutating Virus within and between Hosts: The Case of Hepatitis C Virus’, which looks at the evolution of the Hepatitus C virus in a within-host environment, describing the parasitic relationship of the virus with the host-body.		Part one of Symbiosis: Ecologies, Assemblages and Evolution, which focuses on Symbiosis and Evolution, contains two articles that serve as both an introduction to, and an example of, symbiosis. The first of these, ‘How Symbiosis can Guide Evolution’, is an example of the use of the concept of symbiosis to battle by (neo)Darwinism inspired theories of evolution. It describes the creation of a computational model that shows how the formation of symbiotic relations in a given ecosystem influences genetic variation. It is followed by Fabio Lucian and Samuel Alizon’s ‘The Evolutionary Dynamics of a Rapidly Mutating Virus within and between Hosts: The Case of Hepatitis C Virus’, which looks at the evolution of the Hepatitus C virus in a within-host environment, describing the parasitic relationship of the virus with the host-body.
Line 77:		Line 76:
	Finally, the third set of articles in the part on Symbiosis and Evolution looks at the origin of the theory of symbiogenesis, incorporating the seminal 1927 book Symbionticism and the origin of species by American biologist Ivan Wallin, which made the then highly controversial claim that cells evolved by symbionticism, by the formation of microsymbiotic complexes. In this book Wallin describes the emergence of mitochondria as the incorporation of independent bacteria inside of existing cells, which evolved to what we now know as organelles. In an overview article, biologist Lynn Margulis goes back to the origin of the theory of symbiogenesis (and to Wallin and his Russian colleagues) to explore the roots of her own work and the development of her groundbreaking Serial Endosymbiosis Theory (SET) at the same time.		Finally, the third set of articles in the part on Symbiosis and Evolution looks at the origin of the theory of symbiogenesis, incorporating the seminal 1927 book Symbionticism and the origin of species by American biologist Ivan Wallin, which made the then highly controversial claim that cells evolved by symbionticism, by the formation of microsymbiotic complexes. In this book Wallin describes the emergence of mitochondria as the incorporation of independent bacteria inside of existing cells, which evolved to what we now know as organelles. In an overview article, biologist Lynn Margulis goes back to the origin of the theory of symbiogenesis (and to Wallin and his Russian colleagues) to explore the roots of her own work and the development of her groundbreaking Serial Endosymbiosis Theory (SET) at the same time.

	~~***~~

	The second part of this liquid book looks at the relationship of symbiosis with ecology. In the opening section on community ecology, the article The Roles and Interactions of Symbiont, Host and Environment in Defining Coral Fitness, looks at the complex interactions between the coral host, the algal symbiont, and the environment, and the role symbionts play in this community ecology with respect to the community’s (the coral holobiont’s) fitness, and their ability to determine what the effects of global climate change on this ecology might be. An important aspect of many discourses surrounding ecology is the upkeep of the level of biodiversity and complexity of a given system or ecology. The article by Toft, Williams, and Fares, looks at this aspect of biodiversity as a measure of the health of ecosystems and the role symbiosis (especially with respect to the way proteobacteria interact with insects) plays in generating species diversity.		The second part of this liquid book looks at the relationship of symbiosis with ecology. In the opening section on community ecology, the article The Roles and Interactions of Symbiont, Host and Environment in Defining Coral Fitness, looks at the complex interactions between the coral host, the algal symbiont, and the environment, and the role symbionts play in this community ecology with respect to the community’s (the coral holobiont’s) fitness, and their ability to determine what the effects of global climate change on this ecology might be. An important aspect of many discourses surrounding ecology is the upkeep of the level of biodiversity and complexity of a given system or ecology. The article by Toft, Williams, and Fares, looks at this aspect of biodiversity as a measure of the health of ecosystems and the role symbiosis (especially with respect to the way proteobacteria interact with insects) plays in generating species diversity.
Line 87:		Line 85:
	This part of the book on Symbiosis and Ecology ends with Matthew Fuller’s Media Ecologies, in which he adapts the concept of ecology to media, showing how media as interacting objects, and media systems, function as ecologies. Like different species interacting in a symbiotic way to create new species, Fuller shows how a mobile phone, for instance, can be seen as a ‘media assemblage’.		This part of the book on Symbiosis and Ecology ends with Matthew Fuller’s Media Ecologies, in which he adapts the concept of ecology to media, showing how media as interacting objects, and media systems, function as ecologies. Like different species interacting in a symbiotic way to create new species, Fuller shows how a mobile phone, for instance, can be seen as a ‘media assemblage’.

	~~***~~

	The third part of the book on Symbiosis and Posthumanism, looks at the influence of symbiosis on thinking about non-organic matter and its interactions with organic matter. Symbiosis has played an important role in discourses on the posthuman: for instance, in Lickliders seminal speculative paper on the possibilities of man-machine symbiosis. Schalk updates Licklider’s article, using contemporary developments in computing and information processing to show how Licklider’s utopian vision was not so much utopian as making a case for technological improvements. Schalk argues that brain-computer symbiosis or partnerships are a logical step in the course of our evolution.		The third part of the book on Symbiosis and Posthumanism, looks at the influence of symbiosis on thinking about non-organic matter and its interactions with organic matter. Symbiosis has played an important role in discourses on the posthuman: for instance, in Lickliders seminal speculative paper on the possibilities of man-machine symbiosis. Schalk updates Licklider’s article, using contemporary developments in computing and information processing to show how Licklider’s utopian vision was not so much utopian as making a case for technological improvements. Schalk argues that brain-computer symbiosis or partnerships are a logical step in the course of our evolution.
Line 97:		Line 94:
	The last section in this part of the book looks at machine-nature interactions. Here Schhuppli’s article ‘Of Mice Moths and Men Machines’, describes the coevolution of machine’s with living matter through the example of Hopper’s bug, arguing that mutations, chaos and viral infections are necessary for systems to survive and evolve. Jussi Parikka, in his essay on digital monsters and binary aliens, goes deeper into this discourse of the viral as a negative control-issue in the present capitalist system. He shows how on the other hand capitalism itself is integrally viral. Parikka explores these contradictory themes of the viral as the enemy of capitalism and at the same time integral to its logic of expansion, positioning them as two intertwined discourses.		The last section in this part of the book looks at machine-nature interactions. Here Schhuppli’s article ‘Of Mice Moths and Men Machines’, describes the coevolution of machine’s with living matter through the example of Hopper’s bug, arguing that mutations, chaos and viral infections are necessary for systems to survive and evolve. Jussi Parikka, in his essay on digital monsters and binary aliens, goes deeper into this discourse of the viral as a negative control-issue in the present capitalist system. He shows how on the other hand capitalism itself is integrally viral. Parikka explores these contradictory themes of the viral as the enemy of capitalism and at the same time integral to its logic of expansion, positioning them as two intertwined discourses.

	~~***~~

	The final part of the book on Symbiosis and Augmentation looks at possibilities for both augmenting man with machinic prosthetic tools via neural networks, and for augmenting reality with overlaid or augmented virtual worlds. The article ‘Exploiting co-adaptation for the design of symbiotic neuroprosthetic assistants’, by Sanchez et al. looks at the incorporation via the brain of neuro-prosthetic tools through neurological networks. This can be seen as an example of human-tool symbiosis where, through the cognitive space of the brain, tools can be used as extensions or ‘enhancements’ of the body.		The final part of the book on Symbiosis and Augmentation looks at possibilities for both augmenting man with machinic prosthetic tools via neural networks, and for augmenting reality with overlaid or augmented virtual worlds. The article ‘Exploiting co-adaptation for the design of symbiotic neuroprosthetic assistants’, by Sanchez et al. looks at the incorporation via the brain of neuro-prosthetic tools through neurological networks. This can be seen as an example of human-tool symbiosis where, through the cognitive space of the brain, tools can be used as extensions or ‘enhancements’ of the body.

Janneke at 19:15, 9 October 2011

2011-10-09T19:15:44Z

Show changes

Janneke at 19:10, 9 October 2011

2011-10-09T19:10:45Z

Janneke at 19:04, 9 October 2011

2011-10-09T19:04:50Z

Show changes

Janneke at 18:58, 9 October 2011

2011-10-09T18:58:01Z

Show changes

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:10, 9 October 2011
Line 2:		Line 2:

	[[Image:Cladonia macilenta.jpg\|182x200px\|Cladonia macilenta]] [[Image:Amphiprion percula.JPG\|265x200px\|Amphiprion percula.JPG]] [[Image:PloverCrocodileSymbiosis.jpg\|182x200px]]		[[Image:Cladonia macilenta.jpg\|182x200px\|Cladonia macilenta]] [[Image:Amphiprion percula.JPG\|265x200px\|Amphiprion percula.JPG]] [[Image:PloverCrocodileSymbiosis.jpg\|182x200px]]


	'''Introduction: symbiosis as a living evolving critique'''		'''Introduction: symbiosis as a living evolving critique'''
Line 113:		Line 114:

	1. About the lack of a uniform definition with respect to symbiosis, see: Douglas, A.E. (2010) The Symbiotic Habit. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 4-5.		1. About the lack of a uniform definition with respect to symbiosis, see: Douglas, A.E. (2010) The Symbiotic Habit. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 4-5.

	2. Margulis explains how symbiosis over a prolonged period of time led first to the evolution of complex cells with nuclei and then from there led to the evolution of other organisms such as fungi, plants, and animals (Margulis, 1999: 6).		2. Margulis explains how symbiosis over a prolonged period of time led first to the evolution of complex cells with nuclei and then from there led to the evolution of other organisms such as fungi, plants, and animals (Margulis, 1999: 6).

	3. For an overview of scientific criticism on the Gaia hypothesis, see: Scharper, S.B. (1997) Redeeming the Time: A Political Theology of the Environment. New York: The Continuum International Publishing Group Inc., 53-54.		3. For an overview of scientific criticism on the Gaia hypothesis, see: Scharper, S.B. (1997) Redeeming the Time: A Political Theology of the Environment. New York: The Continuum International Publishing Group Inc., 53-54.

	4. As they state: Natural history can think only in terms of relationships (between A and B), not in terms of production (from A to x). Deleuze, G and Guattari, F. (1988) A thousand plateaus: capitalism and schizophrenia. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 234-235.		4. As they state: Natural history can think only in terms of relationships (between A and B), not in terms of production (from A to x). Deleuze, G and Guattari, F. (1988) A thousand plateaus: capitalism and schizophrenia. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 234-235.

Line 121:		Line 125:


	Chisholm, D. (2007) ‘Rhizome, Ecology, Geophilosophy (A Map to this Issue).’ Rhizomes: Cultural Studies in Emerging Knowledge, rhizomes.150 (winter).		Chisholm, D. (2007) ‘Rhizome, Ecology, Geophilosophy (A Map to this Issue).’ ''Rhizomes: Cultural Studies in Emerging Knowledge'', rhizomes.150 (winter).

	Deleuze, G and Guattari, F. (1988) A thousand plateaus: capitalism and schizophrenia. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.		Deleuze, G and Guattari, F. (1988) ''A thousand plateaus: capitalism and schizophrenia.'' Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

	Douglas, A.E. (2010) The Symbiotic Habit. Princeton: Princeton University Press.		Douglas, A.E. (2010) ''The Symbiotic Habit.'' Princeton: Princeton University Press.

	Fuller, M. (2005) Media Ecologies: Materialist Energies in Art and Technoculture. Cambridge: MIT Press.		Fuller, M. (2005) ''Media Ecologies: Materialist Energies in Art and Technoculture.'' Cambridge: MIT Press.

	Margulis, L. (1999) Symbiotic planet: a new look at evolution. Basic Books.		Margulis, L. (1999) ''Symbiotic planet: a new look at evolution.'' Basic Books.

	Parikka, J. (2010) Insect media. An archaeology of animals and technology. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.		Parikka, J. (2010) ''Insect media. An archaeology of animals and technology.'' Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

	Scharper, S.B. (1997) Redeeming the Time: A Political Theology of the Environment. New York: The Continuum International Publishing Group Inc.		Scharper, S.B. (1997) ''Redeeming the Time: A Political Theology of the Environment.'' New York: The Continuum International Publishing Group Inc.

	Van Loon, J. (1999)‘Parasite-politics: on the significance of symbiosis and assemblage in theorizing community-formations’, in Chris Pierson and Simon Tormey (eds), Politics at the Edge. The PSA Yearbook.		Van Loon, J. (1999) ‘Parasite-politics: on the significance of symbiosis and assemblage in theorizing community-formations’, in Chris Pierson and Simon Tormey (eds), ''Politics at the Edge.'' The PSA Yearbook.