Toy Theory

Technology and Imagination in Play

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A novel interpretation of the history and theory of technology from the perspective of toys, play, and play objects.

Toy Theory addresses the relationships between toys and technology in two distinct but overlapping ways: first, as underexamined cultural artifacts and behaviors with significant technical attributes and, second, as playful and toylike dimensions of technology at large. Seth Giddings sets out a “toy theory” of technology that emphasizes the speculative, experimental, and noninstrumental in technological paradigms and argues that children's playthings, rather than being the most ephemeral and inconsequential of technical devices, instead offer analytical and anthropological resources for understanding the materiality and imaginaries of technology over time.

After defining toy theory in general and conceptual terms, Giddings examines different types of toys to explore shifting relationships between the microcosmic symbolic or mimetic content, material and technical constitution, and modes of play of toys and toy-related artifacts, on the one hand, and prevailing, macrocosmic, technological paradigms and imaginaries, on the other. Taking a broad historical and genealogical view, Giddings traces contemporary postdigital toy and play culture to precedents from the neolithic through to the Enlightenment to consumer culture from the early nineteenth century to the present day.

Conditions of Use

CC BY-NC-NDThis book is licensed under a Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND). You can download the ebook Toy Theory for free.

Title
Toy Theory
Subtitle
Technology and Imagination in Play
Publisher
Author(s)
Published
2024-11-05
Edition
1
Format
eBook (pdf, epub, mobi)
Pages
286
Language
English
ISBN-10
0262548216
ISBN-13
9780262379014
License
CC BY-NC-ND
Book Homepage
Free eBook, Errata, Code, Solutions, etc.
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