Dead Media Objects and the Experience of the (Once) Modern. Ethnographic Perspectives from the Living Rooms of Kinshasa’s Old Aged

摘要: ABSTRACTThis article departs from the observation that in many living rooms of elderly Kinois (inhabitants Kinshasa), old and defunctive radio television sets are put on display. When their primary function, to inform, has been rendered obsolete, we faced with question why people continue display these objects, often next newer models, rooms. The main argument is Information Communication Technologies (ICT) commodities, new, defective repaired, primarily social objects embedded complex webs practices expectations which unsettle taken-for-granted associations between technology time. ICT shown be metonyms dynamics relationships owners goods others; and, although seemingly paradoxically, same even when damaged, inhabit promises for a better future. thus offers an alternative perspective electronic modernity, particular, role of...