Digital Discourse Analysis of Posthumanism in Open Access Academia

Abstract

Digital Discourse Analysis of Posthumanism in Open Access Academia Abstract In light of Human actions leading to an earth wide ecological breakdown it is importance to reflect upon the construction of the notion of 'Human' and how people's ideas of 'their being' is evolving and changing. At the same time, there has been a recent emergence of the term 'Posthuman' in academic literature. In a very general form, the term is implying something that is after 'human'. However, due to its newness it is yet ambiguous. Thus, this paper conducts a digital discourse analysis to identify the different senses of the term as used in open access academia, investigates the other important objects in the discursive sphere and describe the power configuration in the discursive sphere. Findings suggests three major senses of the term, (1) 'Posthuman processes'. (2) 'Posthuman beings' and (3) 'Posthuman perspectives'. Salience of 'novel socio- technical processes', 'human enhancement technologies' and 'new perspectives of beings' is found in the discursive sphere. Further, influential or powerful authors and ideas in the sphere are also identified.