Provocation 3: There is no such thing as “immaterial” media. by Ozziz Frank

Google drive center

franklinoozz233 — 2025-05-28 13:19:07 UTC

example：Casemajor points out that there is no such thing as "immaterial" media, and digital information always relies on physical media. As he said, technology is not virtual in a sense. For example, Google Drive supports our cloud services, but it requires a lot of electricity and water resources to power and cool the servers, and a lot of technological waste is generated in the process of supply. This makes me realize that the materiality of media is everywhere, but it is deliberately hidden. We need to pay more attention to these "invisible" effects and use technology responsibly.

What We Don’t See: The Physical Side of Media

wangzihao2003 — 2025-05-29 02:28:19 UTC

This is an image of undersea fiber-optic cables that carry internet data across continents. Though we often think of the internet as "wireless" and immaterial, it depends on a massive and fragile network of physical infrastructure. These cables span oceans, require constant maintenance, and are built from copper, plastic, and glass—materials mined, manufactured, and shipped globally. Their invisibility in everyday media use is not accidental, but part of a design that hides the true cost of connectivity.

fengsinan3364 — 2025-05-29 02:30:29 UTC

These components are designed to be "invisible", yet they are the material prerequisites for the digital experience. Modern technological interfaces are becoming increasingly simple, but it is precisely this aesthetic that conceals the underlying material violence and ecological costs. The design not only conceals wires, hard disks and energy consumption, but also shapes the ideology that "the media is clean".

Optical fiber cable (providing home WiFi)

fengsinan3364 — 2025-05-29 02:32:13 UTC

2025-05-29 02:34:14 UTC

Cell towers and 5G infrastructure are essential physical components of our digital lives. These towers enable mobile data transmission, making activities like streaming videos, browsing social media, and using navigation apps possible. 5G networks, in particular, require a dense network of small antennas, often installed on streetlights or buildings, making them less visible but more widespread. Despite their hidden presence, this infrastructure demands significant energy, materials, and space, and raises concerns around surveillance, health, and environmental impact.