Hyperobjects

The term "hyperobject" was coined by philosopher Timothy Morton to describe entities that are massively distributed across space and time, exceeding human comprehension in their totality. Examples include climate change, styrofoam, and the biosphere. These entities are not simply large objects; they fundamentally challenge our understanding of what an object can be.

Hyperobjects resist traditional philosophical approaches that rely on clear boundaries and defined properties. Their viscosity means they are entangled with other objects and systems, making it impossible to isolate them for complete analysis. We can only perceive their local manifestations and effects, never the hyperobject in its entirety.

One key characteristic of hyperobjects is their nonlocality. They are not confined to a specific location but are dispersed across multiple spatial and temporal dimensions. This makes it difficult to pinpoint their origin or predict their future behavior, as they are constantly interacting with and influencing other systems.

Another important feature is their temporality. Hyperobjects exist on timescales that far exceed human lifespans, making it challenging to grasp their long-term consequences. Climate change, for example, operates over centuries and millennia, requiring us to think beyond immediate concerns.

The concept of hyperobjects has significant implications for environmental ethics. By recognizing the interconnectedness of all things and the vast scale of environmental problems, we can develop a more responsible and sustainable approach to our relationship with the planet. Hyperobjects force us to acknowledge our role in shaping these massive entities.

Hyperobjects also challenge traditional notions of human agency. We are not simply external observers of these objects but are deeply entangled with them. Our actions contribute to their formation and evolution, making us responsible for their consequences.

Morton argues that hyperobjects require a new form of thinking and representation. Traditional scientific and artistic methods are insufficient to capture their complexity and scale. We need to develop new ways of understanding and engaging with these entities.

The concept of hyperobjects has been applied to various fields, including art, literature, and architecture. Artists and writers have used the concept to explore the challenges of representing climate change and other environmental issues, while architects have considered how to design buildings that are more resilient to the effects of hyperobjects.