Trevor Paglen’s How to See Like a Machine, published by Verso Books, examines the proliferation of computer vision and synthetic image generation in contemporary surveillance culture. Rather than interpreting what these technologies represent, Paglen investigates their operational mechanisms and origins, tracing connections across psyops, UFO documentation, stage magic, and public relations strategy. The work situates algorithmic vision within a broader genealogy of human manipulation and perception management, arguing that the apparent otherness of machine vision actually reveals deeper truths about human desire, control, and image-making. This intervention aligns with dark theory’s concerns regarding technological mediation, simulation, and the erosion of representational authenticity in late capitalism.
Original article published on Verso Books — AI-generated summary.
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