Techno-Epistemic Break

Definition: a new cultural context to relay information via technology that meets social expectations of the 20th century.

Example: By distributing their Twitter and Facebook tags the, News 965 WDBO, news station is able to provide information to the public more frequently. Moreover, the individuals that follow them are then able to access the content online and on their own time.

News 965 WDBO network using social media to relay breaking news to followers.Image credit: Web. 31 March 2016. Retrieved from: http://www.news965.com/

From the text: The Deluca and Peeples article, "From Public Sphere to Public Screen: Democracy, Activism, and the 'Violence' of Seattle" focuses primarily on participatory democracy of citizens based on the importance of TV screens and other mass media circulation outlets. The authors state that a "Techno-Epistemic Break" is "In short, although historically and culturally understandable desire, the fondness for bodily presence and face-to-face conversations ignores the social and technological transformations of the 20^th century that have constructed an altogether different cultural context, a techno-epistemic break," (187). Meaning, information is shared through technology instead of face-to-face, as a new cultural context.

Works Cited:

DeLuca, Kevin and Peeples, Jennifer. "From Public Sphere to Public Screen: Democracy, Activism, and the "Violence" of Seattle." Readings on the Rhetoric of Social Protest. Browne, Stephen and Morris III, Charles, eds. State College, Pa: Strata Publishing, Inc., 2013

"Where Orlando Turns First for Breaking News." Web. 31 March 2016. Retrieved from:  http://www.news965.com/