Un’apparente immaterialità. Analisi sociologica dell’immaginario digitale

The widespread success of new communication technologies is inextricably linked to what by many has been called «digital revolution». This phenomenon is merely a step, albeit decisive, of a long process in which the symbolic dimension played a decisive role. It is therefore necessary, for a proper understanding of the issue, to pay particular attention to the imagery underlying the digital universe. For example, information technologies seem to give life to an intangible world, not governed by the same laws that govern reality: a sort of a new «enchantment» of the world, in short, seems to invest the digital world. Network and Information – the result of the electrification of the world process – are the main concepts of the framework of the digital imagery and, with their peculiar nature, contribute to reinforcing this state of affairs. Yet, although largely just in the elite circle of specialists, the digital world has been hit by growing criticism. These criticisms, among other things, aim to «disenchant» the digital universe, especially by revealing its material nature. The aim of this essay is to investigate, through an analytical reconstruction, the genesis of digital imagery focusing on the issue of immateriality/materiality.