The Marvelous Clouds: Toward a Philosophy of Elemental Media by John Durham Peters (2016-08-15) Paperback – 1 Jan. 1745

Good general reference manual and overview of media studies in first chapters, yet the hyperbolic writing style and theologicalcategories hung onto natural science concepts are well, rough sailin', becoming downright annoying alongside an endless roster of facts and figures of secondary sources with little development of any original ideas. He claims he is following McLuhan lead, and clearly hopes to write a popular book, yet he lacks the originality and intelligence of McLuhan. Lastly, only one chapter actually deals with weather, so it is misleading to suggest the book deals with climate or ecology or earth science as a category of media, it doesn't. The book does even make the connection between consumerism, digital devices, electronic and plastic waste and impacts on environment. This alone places Peters' thought as firmly in the romantic tradition, hence the title Marvelous Clouds, the airiness of Being and other such high-sounding terminology never manages to convince or connect with any urgent debates. In fact, it unwittingly shows how the Western philosophical tradition is of any use in grappling with globalized world resources.

Excellent book, great subject, well written, good print quality.