Critique of technological determinism: A study on digital video

This study, with reference to the criticism of technological determinism and the efforts to eliminate the confusions around this concept, focuses on an analysis of a specific technological transformation process. The aim of this study is to explore Bernard Stiegler's theses on the digitalization process of the image within the framework of the technological determinism problem and to concretize the practical aspects of this discussion, by examining the video essay practice in light of these arguments. The idea of technological determinism is examined in three levels. First chapter evaluates the conceptual and historical background of the subject, suggested solutions to the problems that arise from the descriptive use of the concept and the critical approaches that falls under the category of social constructivism. Second chapter focuses on the functions undertaken by the concept in the context of theoretical approaches centered upon the cognitive effects of communication technologies. Third chapter scrutinizes Bernard Stiegler's analysis on the digitalization process of the image through a discussion on video essay culture.