self-similarity
A concept from chaos mathematics describing how structures repeat at different scales, used here to explain the fractal nature of media viruses and the datasphere.
1 chapter across 1 book
Media Virus (1994)Douglas Rushkoff
The chapter traces the evolution of media from passive consumption to an interactive, self-regulating system shaped by Generation X's playful manipulation and irony, framed through chaos theory. It explains how media viruses exploit feedback and iteration within the datasphere to disrupt traditional public relations tactics by introducing complexity and self-reference, fostering a participatory culture that challenges hierarchical and dualistic worldviews. The chapter also highlights cultural resistance to the expanding mediasphere from environmentalist, New Age, and fundamentalist groups, illustrating the tensions between globalization and cultural identity.