Simondon's Technical Invention Lectures Published by Seuil

Éditions du Seuil has published "L'invention dans les techniques," a collection of lectures and courses by Gilbert Simondon (1924-1989) from 1968 to 1976. The volume includes an introductory note by Jean-Yves Chateau, who notes that during his tenure as a philosophy teacher, Simondon also taught physics and had his class build a television prototype. The book features numerous diagrams of mechanical devices, illustrating Simondon's deep engagement with technical networks. The text builds on his earlier work "Du mode d'existence des objets techniques" (1958) and his later "L'individuation psychique et collective" (1989), which examine individuation processes in technical objects and living organisms. The publication raises questions about creative use of technology and whether individuation without a subject implies functioning without use. Elie During's accompanying essay references Deleuze's observation that Simondon elaborated a complete ontology, extracting from it a concept of machinic assemblage that reintroduces strategy into mechanology.