21-11-2017

Nodes - Alex Galloway

networks can be seen as material and immaterial, simultaneously technical and political, misanthropic and human

protocols govern the relationships in networks, and emerge through the complex relationships between autonomous, interconnected agents

networks can be biological processes, gene expression, or the logics of infection.

abstracted into concept, protocol may be defined as a distributed control apparatus that guides technical and political formation of networks, biological systems, and media

protocol is a technology that regulates flow, directs netspace, codes relationships, connects life-forms

the difference between nodes and edges: edges refer to the actions effected by nodes. networks are diagrams of force relationships effected by discrete agencies. graphs imply a privileging of spatial orientations, quantitative abstraction, and a clear division between actor and action.

protological control exists because the network is has antagonistic clusterings, divergent subtopologies and rogue nodes.

material instantiation is coextensive with pattern formation

late 20th century societies of control based around protocols, logics of modulation and ultrarapid forms of control.

control is not manipulation, but rather modulation, its what enables a relation to a device

the problem of control is perspective, from within and without. Networks are the horizon of control.

no one controls the networks, but networks are controlled

control in networks matters less the character of the individual nodes, than the topological space within they operate as nodes

societies of control have an uncanny ability to elevate nonorganic life, placing it on par with organic life.

in control societies, control matters through information, information is never material

the coils of the serpent are more complex than the burrows of the molehill