On how to hack the perception machine (after photography)

In her book The Perception Machine: Our Photographic Future between the Eye and AI, Joanna Zylinska explores the evolving landscape of photographic media through a feminist lens, challenging traditional notions of photography in the context of contemporary technologies such as AI, drones, and algorithmic image generation. Drawing on Vilém Flusser’s theories, she introduces the idea of the "perception machine," a complex interplay of technical, corporeal, and social elements, urging readers to reconsider the role of agency in image-making processes. She argues that images are not merely reflections of the past but active forces involved in the process of future-making. Through case studies, such as her work with drones, Zylinska illustrates how alternative image-making strategies can disrupt dominant visual narratives and encourage critical engagement with technology from a feminist perspective. Ultimately, the book prompts profound questions about agency, prediction, and the future of photographic practice, inviting readers to reflect on how images frame our reality and inform our desires.