Abstract:

Introduction:
Gilbert Simondon defines (1) the concretization of technological invention as assembling disparate elements into a coherent system. Our paper presents the process of ‘concretization’ practiced by 185 participants in a College of Business at the University of Rhode Island who are making ‘inventive’ postings on a digital billboard called the Fishbowl.

Our paper presents a method for ‘concretizing technological inventions’. Technology is defined as ‘applying knowledge for practical purposes’. Invention is ‘the origination of something worthwhile, like a process or device’. To concretize is defined as ‘making an idea or concept real; giving specific or definite form to; for instance, the theme park is an attempt to concretize our fantasies’.

Individuating oneself by combining contrasting elements allows for many interpretations, images, and feelings. The collective impact of our technological inventions far exceeds what we initially visualize. The paper emphasizes the human side of concretization, which Simondon calls the unification of “synergy, superabundant functionality, coherence, internal resonance, and formalization” [1].

Purpose:
We aim to ‘share’ our concretization processes. ‘The world that we can ‘share’ is always and still to be elaborated by us and between us, starting from the perception and affirmation of what and who we are as humans here and now’ [2]. We aim to share our felt experiences when concretizing our technological inventions, thereby individuating ourselves.

Method:
Individuating the Self by Arranging Contrasting Elements.
1. Selecting the opening (sentence) structure initiates using knowledge for practical purposes. It is a self-reflexive process.
2. From the opening structure, identify the essential elements (words), deconstruct them, and assemble disparate and similar words (elements) from a dictionary.
3. Substitute alternative words from the assemblage in #2 to create a new meaning for #1.
4. To concretize is to make sense of disparate elements in an interrelated system. This is achieved by sorting, sifting, selecting, and substituting words representing one’s feelings and experiences, creating new dichotomies and dimensions with a better sense of value.

Findings:
1. Our technological inventions brought new properties and complementary functions beyond those initially sought.
2. The assemblage of disparate elements allows for the multiple uses of the elements brought together. Rather than serving a single purpose, every element of the assemblage acquires a plurality of justifications and meanings. The effects are superabundant functionality and far exceed the formalization of the opening structure.

In the full paper, we present two instances of concretization and individuation.

References:
[1] Chabot, Pascal, The Philosophy of Simondon Between Technology and Individuation, Bloomsbury, 2003
[2] Irigaray, Luce, Sharing The World, Continuum, 2008

Keywords:

Technological Invention, Concretization, Individuation.