Productive power in social networks: challenges for post-phenomenological mediation theory

Abstract This article is a philosophical study that examines power and resistance within the conceptual network of post-phenomenological theories of technological mediation. In the contemporary landscape, the interaction between human beings and technology plays a crucial role in shaping social, cultural, and political dynamics. As human beings increasingly emerge into a world permeated by technological innovations, it becomes essential to understand the complex power relations that arise from this intertwining. In this context, post-phenomenological theories of technological mediation offer a valuable theoretical framework capable of exploring the nuances of these interactions. The study begins by positioning power and resistance within this conceptual network. It then explores the complex interactions of power in technologically mediated relationships, with particular emphasis on the technologies incorporated into social media platforms, i.e., algorithmic recommendation systems. Drawing on the concepts of power as defined by Michel Foucault and Byung-Chul Han, the paper challenges conventional understandings of productive power by examining how these platforms shape and exert influence. Ultimately, it introduces the concept of intelligent power as a means to better understand the power dynamics inherent in algorithmic mediation.