An account of the complex relationship between technology and romanticism that links nineteenth-century monsters, automata, and mesmerism with twenty-first-century technology's magic devices and romantic cyborgs. Romanticism and technology are widely assumed to be opposed to each other. Romanticism—understood as a reaction against rationalism and objectivity—is perhaps the last thing users and developers of information and communication technology (ICT) think about when they engage with computer programs and electronic devices. And yet, as Mark Coeckelbergh argues in this book, this way of thinking about technology is itself shaped by romanticism and obscures a better and deeper understanding of our relationship to technology. Coeckelbergh describes the complex relationship between technology and romanticism that links nineteenth-century monsters, automata, and mesmerism with twenty-first-century technology's magic devices and romantic cyborgs. Coeckelbergh argues that current uses of ICT can be interpreted as attempting a marriage of Enlightenment rationalism and romanticism. He describes the “romantic dialectic,” when this new kind of material romanticism, particularly in the form of the cyborg as romantic figure, seems to turn into its opposite. He shows that both material romanticism and the objections to it are still part of modern thinking, and part of the romantic dialectic. Reflecting on what he calls “the end of the machine,” Coeckelbergh argues that to achieve a more profound critique of contemporary technologies and culture, we need to explore not only different ways of thinking but also different technologies—and that to accomplish the former we require the latter.

An account of the complex relationship between technology and romanticism that links nineteenth-century monsters, automata, and mesmerism with twenty-first-century technology's magic devices and romantic cyborgs. Romanticism and technology are widely assumed to be opposed to each other. Romanticism—understood as a reaction against rationalism and objectivity—is perhaps the last thing users and developers of information and communication technology (ICT) think about when they engage with computer programs and electronic devices. And yet, as Mark Coeckelbergh argues in this book, this way of thinking about technology is itself shaped by romanticism and obscures a better and deeper understanding of our relationship to technology. Coeckelbergh describes the complex relationship between technology and romanticism that links nineteenth-century monsters, automata, and mesmerism with twenty-first-century technology's magic devices and romantic cyborgs. Coeckelbergh argues that current uses of ICT can be interpreted as attempting a marriage of Enlightenment rationalism and romanticism. He describes the “romantic dialectic,” when this new kind of material romanticism, particularly in the form of the cyborg as romantic figure, seems to turn into its opposite. He shows that both material romanticism and the objections to it are still part of modern thinking, and part of the romantic dialectic. Reflecting on what he calls “the end of the machine,” Coeckelbergh argues that to achieve a more profound critique of contemporary technologies and culture, we need to explore not only different ways of thinking but also different technologies—and that to accomplish the former we require the latter.

Explores the relationship between authorship and technology in nineteenth-century America.

Debts. Scavenger hunt. Goals. As a participant in an intergalactic scavenger hunt with a large prize, Suni knew she needed all her focus to be on winning the purse that would set her family free of their lifelong debts. What she didn't expect was the tall, dangerous stranger and his friends who requested an emergency landing on her spaceship. Agreeing changed the course of her heart…and she liked it. Suni knows what’s at stake if she deviates from her plan but how can she resist when Taun is all she thinks about? Rebellion. Treason. Escape After a tumultuous escape and one risky space jump, Taun finds himself the unexpected guest of three quirky sisters and their father in desperate need of help. Recently branded as a traitor from the Cyborg Military Elite, helping Suni will provide the perfect cover while he searches for his missing brethren. Finding love was the last thing he'd imagined happening...but he’d fight any who sought to take it. Taun and his crew strike an uneasy alliance with the trio. The Cyborgs provide protection against a former space pirate who has also joined the scavenger hunt, and in return, the Cyborgs can take refuge on The Renegade and look for other cyborgs who had escaped while also staying off Emperor Shui’s radar. Nothing seems to go as planned. Taun can’t focus on his duty with Suni in his presence and on his mind. Can a feisty female he craves shake him from his mission to return home and free his family?

A deadly circus competition. A tinkerer tasked with removing the losing cyborgs' implants. Who is she to protect when she falls for both the handsome ringleader and a beautiful acrobat?

Wrongly imprisoned whistle-blower Rachel Pierce would rather take her chances with her court appeal than accept her place as the first Interstellar Bride destined for the Colony. She's stubborn and determined to seek justice—and her freedom—on Earth...but her mates are not willing to risk her life or her future on a system they believe to be both primitive and corrupt. Maxim of Prillon Prime fought ten long years in the Hive wars. Captured and tortured with his second, Ryston, they escaped only to be rejected by their own people and condemned to life on the Colony with the other "contaminated" cyborg warriors. As leader of Sector 3, it's Maxim's duty to set an example for his warriors and summon a bride. When she refuses transport, he can't allow her rejection to demoralize an entire planet of battle hardened but jaded warriors. Maxim and Ryston transport to Earth where they decide she's theirs and a maximum security human prison will not keep them apart. Getting Rachel to the Colony is only the first challenge they will face. Convincing their beautiful mate to surrender to not one, but two dominant warriors is another. Even if they can win her love, a new evil is rising on the Colony and someone close to Maxim will be its first victim. Maxim will be its second, unless Rachel's love and relentless pursuit of the truth proves strong enough to save him. If you love romance in the style of Nalini Singh, Christine Feehan, J.R. Ward, Lara Adrian, S. E. Smith, and out-of-this world outer space adventures like The Expanse, Star Trek, Star Wars and Stargate, be sure to read USAT Bestselling Author Grace Goodwin's exciting science fiction and paranormal book series! Aliens, adventure, and hot romance all in one place! Over one MILLION books sold! **Tags: alien romance, sci-fi romance, science fiction romance, paranormal romance, psychic romance, shifter, space fleet, space opera, interstellar brides, mail-order bride, arranged marriage, shifter, mate, alien mate, fated mate, reverse harem, scifi romance, scifi alien romance, scifi harem, The Colony, IBP, Prillon, Warrior, Atlan, Warlord, Everis, Hunter, Cyborg, Viken, Rogue 5, Kronos, Cerberus, Astra, matched mate, Trion, Coalition Fleet.

A guide to the ethical questions that arise from our use of industrial robots, robot companions, self-driving cars, and other robotic devices. Does a robot have moral agency? Can it be held responsible for its actions? Do humans owe robots anything? Will robots take our jobs? These are some of the ethical and moral quandaries that we should address now, as robots and other intelligent devices become more widely used and more technically sophisticated. In this volume in the MIT Press Essential Knowledge series, philosopher Mark Coeckelbergh does just that. He considers a variety of robotics technologies and applications—from robotic companions to military drones—and identifies the ethical implications of their use. Questions of robot ethics, he argues, are not just about robots but, crucially and importantly, are about humans as well. Coeckelbergh examines industrial robots and their potential to take over tasks from humans; “social” robots and possible risks to privacy; and robots in health care and their effect on quality of care. He considers whether a machine can be moral, or have morality built in; how we ascribe moral status; and if machines should be allowed to make decisions about life and death. When we discuss robot ethics from a philosophical angle, Coeckelbergh argues, robots can function as mirrors for reflecting on the human. Robot ethics is more than applied ethics; it is a way of doing philosophy.