Sociology of Disconnection

Most social spheres are today characterized by networks. For a long time, an ethos of connectivity has dominated: the more connections the better!

However, today this euphoria for connectedness has lost its appeal. Our constant availability is demanding its price, open-plan offices face increasing criticism and new security risks cause concerns. Based on analyses of such crises of hyperconnectivity, Urs Stäheli ponders the limits of connectedness from three different angles – as a criticism of relational social theories, as a culturalsociological analysis of the figures of disconnection and as a genealogy of the practices of disconnecting in different fields.

»As a step-by-step search for cultural assets this Sociology of Disconnection might tell us more about digital environments than we might care for. It is, without any obvious reference to the Corona pandemic, unquestionably topical.« Sebastian Giessmann, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

»Naturally, a simple criticism of connectedness is not Stäheli's thing. His book takes a step back and proceeds with extreme analytical care and great thoroughness.« Andreas Reckwitz, Süddeutsche Zeitung