I'm feeling a bit short on theoretical knowledge to thoroughly unpack the introduction to Mitchell and Hansen's collection of essays.
Should a reader takes these numerous references to the work of others as a rhetorical device establishing authorial expertise, instead of coded language directed at other members of the authors' peer group? The introductory essay seems to be functioning not so much as an overview or preview of the volume's contents, but a philosophical justification for including these (disparate?) works in the collection.
Judging from the reference to subjects such as taxonomies, and surface level assumptions surrounding the rise of Arnold Schwarzenegger to California governor, it seems that digging deeper and unearthing the less-obvious instead of opting for an either-or answer is a theme linking the selected essays. The grouping of terms into aesthetics, technology and society were organized differently than I would likely have done, if it had been my task, but the authors seem to think their word isn't the last on the subject. Regardless, it seems that relationships will be a recurring theme, with media or media technologies as one point of the (activity theory) triangle.
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