1.1 Icon
The reason for choosing Heidegger as an icon is because of the ideas he introduces in his text The Question Concerning Technology (1954). The framework for framing technology that he proposes can be seen as a new angle of incidence in the debate of Technological Determinsim versus Social Constructivism. I do not necessarily fully agree with (or fully understand) his statements, but I think it resembles an iconic framework for media and technology.
In Heidegger's view of the essence modern technology Gestell is a crucial concept. Gestell relates to the manner in which the world of modern technology unveils itself. Everything that comes to presence in the world has to be enframed before it can show itself as its true essence.
"Enframing means the gathering together of that setting-upon which sets upon man, i.e., challenges him forth, to reveal the real, in the mode of ordening, as standing-reserve. Enframing means that way of revealing which holds sway in the essence of modern technology and which is itself nothing technological."
His view is often related to technological determinism. Is technology determined into becoming its true essence via enframing? And how does the relationship between technology and humans result from this? Does the enframing also determine how we relate to technologies? Does it thereby determine us?
Martin Heidegger (1889 - 1976) was a German philosopher. He is most famous for his book Sein und Zeit. Heidegger had a talent for writing incredeibly long and not so readable text that can take years to fully comprehend. However, it is all worth the effort of diving into some of his famous books, since they contain some interesting philosophical insights.