Cybernetic Capitalism:A Critical Theory of the Incommunicable

Cybernetic Capitalism presents a groundbreaking synthesis of Niklas Luhmann's systems theory and critical theory. Overwijk examines how neoliberal capitalism now thrives on the management of incommunicability rather than the pursuit of total communicability, harnessing ecological complexity as its driving force. Contrary to earlier critiques that highlighted capitalism's push to render all social life fully communicable, the current era encourages market incalculability, profits from user unpredictability, and spurs service workers' creativity.<br/>This ecological logic resonates with the extractivist drive of the Anthropocene, reframing our understanding of capitalism as an adaptive, environment-attuned system. Cybernetic Capitalism also exposes how these dynamics intersect with the cultural rise of conspiracy theories and radical-right irrationalism. By illuminating capitalism's paradoxical reliance on both rationalist and irrationalist currents, Overwijk provides a vital new lens for interpreting the complex politics of our time

Publication Details

Published
2025-01-01
Primary Topic
Embodied and Extended Cognition
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Cybernetic Capitalism:A Critical Theory of the Incommunicable

Embodied and Extended Cognition
article

Cybernetic Capitalism:A Critical Theory of the Incommunicable

article en

Abstract

Cybernetic Capitalism presents a groundbreaking synthesis of Niklas Luhmann's systems theory and critical theory. Overwijk examines how neoliberal capitalism now thrives on the management of incommunicability rather than the pursuit of total communicability, harnessing ecological complexity as its driving force. Contrary to earlier critiques that highlighted capitalism's push to render all social life fully communicable, the current era encourages market incalculability, profits from user unpredictability, and spurs service workers' creativity.<br/>This ecological logic resonates with the extractivist drive of the Anthropocene, reframing our understanding of capitalism as an adaptive, environment-attuned system. Cybernetic Capitalism also exposes how these dynamics intersect with the cultural rise of conspiracy theories and radical-right irrationalism. By illuminating capitalism's paradoxical reliance on both rationalist and irrationalist currents, Overwijk provides a vital new lens for interpreting the complex politics of our time

Openalex Percentile: Top 46%
Embodied and Extended Cognition
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.

Cybernetic Capitalism:A Critical Theory of the Incommunicable · (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS