The Stack, 10th anniversary edition with new preface by the author (Paperback)

Benjamin H. Bratton

ISBN 10: 0262553910 / ISBN 13: 9780262553919

Published by MIT Press Ltd, 2026

About this Item

Paperback. An anniversary edition of the comprehensive political and design theory of planetary-scale computation, which argues that The Stack-an accidental megastructure-is both a technological apparatus and a geopolitical architectural model. With a new preface from the author.Why The Stack-an accidental megastructure-is both a technological apparatus and the geopolitical model of our times.A tenth anniversary edition of the comprehensive political philosophy of planetary-scale computation, with a new preface from the author.What has planetary-scale computation done to our geopolitical realities? It takes different forms at different scales-from energy and mineral sourcing and subterranean cloud infrastructure to urban software and massive universal addressing systems; from interfaces drawn by the augmentation of the hand and eye to users identified by self-quantification and the arrival of legions of sensors, algorithms, and robots. Together, how do these distort and deform modern political geographies and produce new territories in their own image? In an account that is both theoretical and technical, drawing on political philosophy, design theory, and computer science, Bratton explores six layers of The Stack- Earth, Cloud, City, Address, Interface, User. "Bratton offers a new geopolitical theory for the age of global computation and algorithmic governance"-- Provided by publisher. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780262553919

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Stack, 10th anniversary edition with new preface by the author (Paperback)
• Publisher: MIT Press Ltd
• Publication Date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0262553910
• ISBN 13: 9780262553919
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Why The Stack—an accidental megastructure—is both a technological apparatus and the geopolitical model of our times.

A tenth anniversary edition of the comprehensive political philosophy of planetary-scale computation, with a new preface from the author.

What has planetary-scale computation done to our geopolitical realities? It takes different forms at different scales—from energy and mineral sourcing and subterranean cloud infrastructure to urban software and massive universal addressing systems; from interfaces drawn by the augmentation of the hand and eye to users identified by self-quantification and the arrival of legions of sensors, algorithms, and robots. Together, how do these distort and deform modern political geographies and produce new territories in their own image? In an account that is both theoretical and technical, drawing on political philosophy, design theory, and computer science, Bratton explores six layers of The Stack: Earth, Cloud, City, Address, Interface, User.

About the Author

Benjamin H. Bratton is Professor of Philosophy of Technology and Speculative Design at University of California, San Diego. He is also Director of Antikythera, a think-tank, journal, and book series exploring the future of planetary computation.