Autopoiesis of mass media construction of the future

Abstract

The main idea of the article is to show some of the consequences of the autopoiesis of modern electronic mass media, using the potential of N. Luhmann's system theory of communication. The author proposes to consider mass media as an evolving information object endowed with the features of the detached autopoietic communicative system (1). Among the consequences of such a system-communicative separation of modern mass media the following stand out: their construction of ideas about the "reality" and "authenticity" of events (2); embedding the space-time continuum in the immanent stream of consciousness of the subject-user (3); and at the same time - the generation of unpredictability of future events and meanings, as well as the accompanying social risks, crises and threats (4). In conclusion, the reader is challenged with a question, whether the autopoiesis of the mass media, replicating uncertainties and risks, should be taken as something pathological and abnormal, or as a valuable innovative resource. This research was performed according to the Development Program of the Interdisciplinary Scientific and Educational School of Moscow University "Preservation of the World Cultural and Historical Heritage".