Speaking into the Air - A History of the Idea of Communication

Communication plays a vital and unique role in society-often blamed for problems when it breaks down and at the same time heralded as a panacea for human relations. A sweeping history of communication, "Speaking Into the Air" illuminates our expectations of communication as both historically specific and a fundamental knot in Western thought.

About the author

John Durham Peters is professor of English and film and media studies at Yale University. He is the author and editor of many books, including The Marvelous Clouds, Courting the Abyss, and Speaking into the Air, all published by the University of Chicago Press.

Summary

This work traces the yearning for contact not only through philosophy and literature but also by exploring the cultural reception of communication technologies from the telegraph to the radio. It is an account of a complex concept that has both shaped us and been shaped by us.

Product details

• Authors: John Durham Peters, Peters John Durham
• Publisher: University Presses
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.10.2013
• EAN: 9780226662770
• ISBN: 978-0-226-66277-0
• No. of pages: 304
• Dimensions: 16 mm x 23 mm x 2 mm
• Weight: 454 g
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History; Media Studies, History: specific events & topics, Geschichte: Ereignisse und Themen, HISTORY / General, PHILOSOPHY / History & Surveys / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Media Studies, LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics / General, LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Communication Studies, History: specific events and topics