Cognition Beyond Consciousness: Understanding Affective Possibilities in the Cognitive Relationship Between Humans and Technology for Their Sustainable Coevolution

Abstract

This paper explores the cognitive relationship between human and technology and reexamines conscious/nonconscious mind from a cultural, philosophical, and artistic perspective. Also, this paper challenges the human-nonhuman binary by discussing human cognition in technological society. Human cognition is inseparable from digital data and operating systems, and a huge portion of the cognitive system we live in is comprised of digital information – and Katherine Hayles refers it as Cognisphere. This paper investigates what is outside of/beyond/beneath/beside conscious cognition – such as nonconscious cognition and affects – to overcome human-centric views and pursue sustainable coevolution of humans and technology by truly understanding their cognitive relationship and cultural implications of their coevolution. This paper also argues that art practices could be an alternative and effective research method to investigate such nonlinguistic and intangible cognitive phenomena.