SKU: 95203231802

How We Became Posthuman: Virtual Bodies in Cybernetics, Literature, and Informatics

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Description

How We Became Posthuman: Virtual Bodies in Cybernetics, Literature, and InformaticsIn this age of DNA computers and artificial intelligence, information is becoming disembodied even as the bodies that once carried it vanish into virtuality. While some marvel at these changes, envisioning consciousness downloaded into a computer or humans beamed Star Trek style, others view them with horror, seeing monsters brooding in the machines. In How We Became Posthuman, N. Katherine Hayles separates hype from fact, investigating the fate of

In this age of DNA computers and artificial intelligence, information is becoming disembodied even as the bodies that once carried it vanish into virtuality. While some marvel at these changes, envisioning consciousness downloaded into a computer or humans beamed Star Trek-style, others view them with horror, seeing monsters brooding in the machines. In How We Became Posthuman, N. Katherine Hayles separates hype from fact, investigating the fate of embodiment in an information age.

Hayles relates three interwoven stories: how information lost its body, that is, how it came to be conceptualized as an entity separate from the material forms that carry it; the cultural and technological construction of the cyborg; and the dismantling of the liberal humanist subject in cybernetic discourse, along with the emergence of the posthuman.

Ranging widely across the history of technology, cultural studies, and literary criticism, Hayles shows what had to be erased, forgotten, and elided to conceive of information as a disembodied entity. Thus she moves from the post-World War II Macy Conferences on cybernetics to the 1952 novel Limbo by cybernetics aficionado Bernard Wolfe; from the concept of self-making to Philip K. Dick's literary explorations of hallucination and reality; and from artificial life to postmodern novels exploring the implications of seeing humans as cybernetic systems.

Although becoming posthuman can be nightmarish, Hayles shows how it can also be liberating. From the birth of cybernetics to artificial life, How We Became Posthuman provides an indispensable account of how we arrived in our virtual age, and of where we might go from here.


Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Published: 02/15/1999
ISBN: 9780226321462
Pages: 364
Weight: 1.09lbs
Size: 8.97h x 6.01w x 0.91d
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SKU: 95203231802

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4.6 ★★★★★
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Platinum Motif
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
This was the best
Size: 1 Panel
This divider is great for creating a little privacy or separating a small area without taking up much space. The fabric is thick enough to block visual clutter, and the frame is lightweight but stable once it’s opened. It folds flat for storage, which is convenient if you only need it occasionally. Assembly was straightforward, and it was the perfect size. It’s a practical piece for apartments, studios, or home offices where you want a quick, temporary partition.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2026
J
John M.
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
Good privacy screen
Size: 1 Panel, Size: 1 Panel
This is a good privacy screen that's easy to assemble and looks nice. Be a little careful moving it, as the corners can twist. It's sturdy once in place, and the thick material is completely opaque. If the folds bother you, you might want to iron it, but I'm happy with it as is.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2026
D
Dan & Stacey
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 3
Lightweight divider that works well for video call backgrounds
Size: 1 Panel
This divider works fine for what it is, but it’s definitely on the lightweight side. Setup was very easy and only took a few minutes. The frame is fairly light, so it’s easy to move around or reposition if needed. That said, the tradeoff is that it’s not especially sturdy. It stands fine on its own but I wouldn’t expect it to handle much bumping or movement. I mainly bought it to use as a background for Zoom calls when I’m working from my den, and for that purpose it works great. The fabric panel blocks the room behind me and gives a cleaner background on camera. It’s not huge though. To keep the camera from seeing around it, I have to position it directly behind my chair. If you’re expecting it to divide a large room or create a big privacy barrier, it may feel a bit small. Overall, it does the job and works well for temporary setups or video call backgrounds, but the lightweight frame keeps it from feeling like a premium divider. The product description and photos are accurate.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2026
C
Customer Review
Boise, US
★★★★★ 2
Sent Wrong Pieces
Size: 1 Panel, Size: 1 Panel
I really, really wanted to like this - and, in theory, I really, really should have! The instructions were easy to follow and assembly took about five minutes. The assembled screen is lightweight and easy to move. It was a great size and exactly what I was looking for except....I wasn't sent the correct pieces. Instead of receiving 4 elbow pieces and 4 feet, I received 2 elbow pieces and 8 feet - meaning that the bottom part of the fabric just hangs there and, overall, the divider is extremely unstable because there is no horizontal support on the bottom. Thankfully, there are Velcro tabs on the side of the fabric so I can use it if I don't plan to move it even 1 cm, but otherwise, what I received is not usable for what I needed it for. Additionally, the fabric is made of polyester and catches animal hair very easily. Had I received the correct pieces, this would be a good buy for the money. Unfortunately, overall, I'm disappointed.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2026
K
Kenneth
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Works great, keeps the light out of my eyes and easy to put together
Size: 1 Panel, Size: 1 Panel
I got this room divider in and it works great. It’s really easy to put together you don’t even need tools. I really like that it’s not see through, it’s not a black out curtain but it keeps light out pretty good. I absolutely hate my bedroom layout there’s no bathroom door. My girlfriend and I have different work schedules so I’m trying to sleep while she’s getting ready for work and the light shines right in my eyes. This divider keeps the light out of my eyes and that’s exactly what I was hunting for. I also like that you can adjust the length. I took one of the bars out to make it a little shorter and it worked great. I would recommend this room divider.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2026

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