Technologies of Magic : A Cultural Study of Ghosts, Machines, and the Uncanny

Technologies of Magic charts curious territory - a place occupied by both machines and magic. This collection of essays investigates the co-existence of very old forms of thought - belief in ghosts, magic, spirits - and contemporary culture. Refracted through highly technologised societies, magic manifests itself in surprising ways and through a diverse range of practices.

Apprehension of the magical - in the world of machines - can give rise to a feeling of uncanny unease. These essays show that ultimately this produces another way of thinking about technology in contemporary culture.

John Potts is associate professor in media and Edward Scheer is senior lecturer in the School of Media, Film, and Theatre at Macquarie Univeristy, Sydney. Other contributors include Chris Chesher, Anne Cranny-Francis, Annette Hamilton, Scott McQuire, Rachel Moore, Stephen Muecke, Andrew Murphie, and Patricia Pringle.