The modern gut: a surface to conquer

Abstract Science, medicine, and technology have historically had a profound influence on our conception of the gut. In this paper, I examine the transformation of the human gut into a surface—a territory that is increasingly accessible and manipulable through technological advancements. Driven by imaging, sampling, and sequencing innovations, the gut has transitioned from an “obscure and undisclosed” internal organ to a site of intense scientific, medical, and commercial interest. How does our understanding of the interaction between current technology and the digestive system inform our perspective on the modern human gut? How has the gut become a surface to conquer? While the discovery of the microbiota has captured a significant part of the narrative on the human–gut interaction, it is not the only element to consider. Weaving scientific, humanities, and biogeographical perspectives, I argue that the gut has become a surface, a territory open to access. By analyzing the gut as a surface, this work sheds light on the evolving landscape of human-technology interactions and their impact on our embodied experience.