Eco's 'Apocalittici e Integrati' and AI
The article revisits Umberto Eco's 1964 book 'Apocalittici e Integrati' (Apocalyptic and Integrated), originally titled by publisher Valentino Bompiani. Eco compiled the essays hastily to apply for a professorship in Pedagogy and Psychology of Mass Communications, a precursor to his later chair in Semiotics (1975). The competition was unsuccessful, but the book coined terms for attitudes toward innovation. The article draws parallels to contemporary debates on artificial intelligence, framing AI as a similar disruptive force that elicits apocalyptic or integrated responses.
Key facts
- The book 'Apocalittici e Integrati' was published in 1964.
- The title was given by publisher Valentino Bompiani.
- Umberto Eco compiled the essays for a professorship competition.
- The chair was in Pedagogy and Psychology of Mass Communications.
- Eco later obtained a chair in Semiotics in 1975.
- The competition was unsuccessful.
- The book introduced terms for attitudes toward innovation.
- The article connects these attitudes to current AI debates.
Entities
Artists
- Umberto Eco
- Valentino Bompiani
Institutions
- Valentino Bompiani
Sources
- Doppiozero —
- Doppiozero —