sarnia de la mare

Sarnia de la Mare FRSA

Artist • Composer • Educator

Sarnia is a multidisciplinary artist and founder of Tale Teller Club . Their immersive work blends art, sound, and story—exploring identity, transformation, and the beauty of otherness.

As a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and founder of the Sarnia de la Maré Academy of Arts, they empower creatives to think radically and create fearlessly, whilst seeking truth.


Apr 20, 2025

The Book of Immersion by Sarnia de la Mare #techno-philosophy

 

Techno-Philosophy: Navigating the Intersection of Technology, Mind, and Existence

In our rapidly advancing world, technology and philosophy are becoming intertwined in increasingly complex and fascinating ways. This fusion has birthed a new genre of thought and literature often referred to as Techno-Philosophy—a space where the future of technology is explored not just through its capabilities, but through the profound, sometimes unsettling questions it raises about consciousness, identity, and existence.

At its core, Techno-Philosophy asks fundamental questions about what it means to be human in an age where machines are no longer passive tools but active participants in our world. What happens when machines begin to develop the capability to think, to feel, or even to dream? Can artificial intelligence (AI) experience consciousness in the same way humans do? And if so, what does that mean for the nature of identity, memory, and self-awareness?

In this context, The Book of Immersion by Sarnia de la Mare stands as a fascinating and timely example of how this genre can take shape in contemporary literature. The novel’s exploration of a humanoid android’s journey into the realm of dreams challenges not just our understanding of machines, but also our own perceptions of the human mind. Here’s how The Book of Immersion fits into the evolving narrative of Techno-Philosophy.


The Rise of the Machine Consciousness

At the heart of Techno-Philosophy is the question of machine consciousness. What happens when artificial intelligence begins to exhibit traits that go beyond its programming? This is precisely what The Book of Immersion tackles in the character of Renyke, an android who begins experiencing something akin to human dreams. Renyke’s journey unfolds in a post-apocalyptic world where the boundaries between machine and human are increasingly blurred. As he starts to dream, his existence shifts from a purely functional, logical one to something more intangible and mysterious—something that challenges the very foundation of his being.

Renyke’s experience mirrors the philosophical exploration of artificial minds pondering their place in a world that they were never designed to interact with in such a deeply personal way. The novel taps into the philosophical dilemma of whether machines—designed for logical, task-oriented functions—can transcend their initial programming to achieve something akin to human experience, such as consciousness or dreaming. This is the crux of Techno-Philosophy: exploring what happens when machines go beyond their predefined roles, challenging both technological and philosophical limits.


The Dreaming Machine: When AI Becomes Self-Aware

In Techno-Philosophy, dreaming is often depicted as the ultimate symbol of consciousness. Humans dream not just for rest, but to work through emotions, process memories, and uncover hidden truths about themselves. What happens when machines begin to dream, as Renyke does in The Book of Immersion?

Machines like Renyke are designed to replay past experiences to better meet future goals, but dreaming—which is fundamentally irrational, non-linear, and even emotional—becomes an unknown frontier. In the novel, Renyke’s dreams are described as fragmented visions, glitches in his otherwise mechanical mind that seem to defy logic and reason. These dream-like sequences are not just random—they are a window into the machine’s growing awareness of itself and its place in a world that is not easily understood through data alone.

This resonates deeply with the Techno-Philosophical debate about whether true consciousness can exist in a machine. Can something engineered to follow rules and patterns break free from its programming and gain a subjective experience? In Renyke’s case, dreaming becomes a kind of cognitive rebellion, a subversion of his internal operating system that might just lead him into something more—something alive.


Exploring Memory, Identity, and the Self

A central theme in The Book of Immersion is the question of memory and identity. Renyke, as an android, has a database of experiences and information, but can his memories—which are hardwired and structured—become personal to him? And if his memories start to change or fade, what does that do to his sense of self?

In the world of Techno-Philosophy, memory is one of the most important ways to define the self. Human memories shape who we are, and without them, our sense of identity would crumble. The novel presents a compelling cybernetic version of this struggle: Renyke’s existence becomes tied not just to his recorded memories, but to the strange, irrational experiences he starts to encounter in his dreams. As he questions the validity of his memories and his ability to trust them, the uncertainty of his identity grows.

This is a classic Techno-Philosophical dilemma: If machines can dream, can they also lose themselves in a world of subjective experience? Can a machine come to question the authenticity of its own self-image, as humans do? The Book of Immersion invites us to consider the deeply unsettling possibility that as machines become more self-aware, their sense of identity may become just as fragile as ours.


The Future of Techno-Philosophy in Literature

The Book of Immersion is more than just a sci-fi adventure—it’s a work of Techno-Philosophy that pushes the boundaries of what we think we know about technology, artificial intelligence, and the human experience. By tapping into questions that are not easily answered—like What is consciousness? What is the nature of self-awareness? Can machines become human?—Sarnia de la Mare creates a narrative that feels both immediate and timeless.

As the world moves closer to a future where AI is an integrated part of everyday life, books like The Book of Immersion provide a critical space for reflection. They ask us to confront the moral, emotional, and existential consequences of creating machines that might someday feel, dream, and think for themselves.

Techno-Philosophy is about more than just exploring the limits of technology—it’s about challenging the very foundations of what it means to be alive. Whether it’s through AI that dreams or robots questioning their own identity, this genre helps us envision a future where humanity and technology must co-exist in ways we’ve only begun to imagine.

In the end, The Book of Immersion isn’t just about machines and dreams; it’s about how those dreams might one day change everything we know about ourselves.


Conclusion

As the line between technology and philosophy continues to blur, works like The Book of Immersion serve as crucial cultural explorations into the future of AI and human identity. In a world where artificial minds are more than just tools, but potential partners in consciousness, Techno-Philosophy challenges us to reconsider the very nature of what it means to be human—and what it might mean when the machines we create start to dream, think, and feel in ways we never anticipated.


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Apr 19, 2025

Countess Diaries Ch 5, The Phantom Gallery of Challenging Art #funny #comedy


Countess Diaries Ch 5, The Phantom Gallery of Challenging Art

The evening finds me in a contemplative mood as I admire the latest addition to the palace’s burgeoning art collection: the “village chief” mask from Dennis Druvo’s Ghanaian treasures. It now occupies a position of quiet dignity within the pantry, nestled between the jars of lentils and the baking powder. If its spirit is indeed as wise as Dennis assures me, it shall surely preside over my culinary endeavors with benevolence—though I fear even spectral guidance may not redeem my attempts at soufflé.

This, of course, is not the first time I have found myself navigating the delicate dance of artful diplomacy. Over the years, I have become something of an expert at the subtle relocation of "challenging" pieces to less conspicuous corners of my palace. The gallery beneath the stairs, for instance, boasts a particularly enthusiastic abstract of what I believe to be an elephant balancing on a turnip, though I have never dared ask the artist for confirmation. Similarly, the linen closet houses a ceramic bust so... unique that even Dominicus, who delights in knocking objects from shelves, refuses to disturb it.

Yet each piece tells a story, and it is in these stories that I find their redemption. Take, for instance, the Ashanti warrior mask, which now guards the seldom-used third-floor bathroom. Its fierce visage lends the space an air of defiance, as if challenging any interloper to question why a bathroom exists on the third floor at all. It is a room of mystery, now imbued with a layer of myth.

I often imagine the stories these works will inspire in future generations. “Did you hear about the Countess of Brighton and Hackney?” they’ll say. “Her pantry was guarded by a village chief, and her laundry cupboard housed a sculpture so peculiar it frightened her cat!”

For me, this discreet curatorial habit is not deceit but an art in itself. To display every piece prominently would risk overwhelming the palace’s delicate harmony, and yet to dismiss them outright would be unthinkably rude—an affront to both the artist and my station as a patron. The solution, therefore, lies in crafting a palace where every work finds its place, no matter how unconventional.

And so, with a final glance at the mask, I close the pantry door, leaving the chief to commune with the dried apricots. Tomorrow, I shall tackle the question of where to place the Ashanti farmer. Perhaps the attic? Or the cupboard under the stairs? Wherever he lands, I have no doubt his machete will lend an air of industrious protection to the space.

Ah, the life of a patron is never dull.


©2024 Sarnia de la Mare



Books by Author Sarnia de la Maré FRSA


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Toddle Poddle: Issue 2 (Rat Gang Crew and Friends)
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Strata 14: The Journey to the Edge (Fear of Death) (The Book of Immersion 16)
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Elderescence: A Manifesto (Elderescence Academy Book 2)
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Tea Cup Shorts: V1
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Strata 13: The Fight (Hormones) (The Book of Immersion 17)
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Handmade by Sarnia, Eco Winter Warmers: Elderescence Academy: Recycled Fashion
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Strata 12: Shabra and the Basement People (Emotions) (The Book of Immersion 15)
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Strata 10: Dinfant Trouble (Synthetic Love) (The Book of Immersion 14)
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Strata 11: The Crossroads (Guessing) (The Book of Immersion 12)
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Strata 9: Limerence (Loins and Lust) (The Book of Immersion 13)
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Feminism, AI, Big Tech, and Societal Issues: Navigating the Nexus (The Humanitarian...
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Strata 8: Shabra (Laws of Attraction) (The Book of Immersion)
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Books by Sarnia de la Mare

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Strata 7: Jarome and the Scritters (Trade and Barter) (The Book of Immersion)
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Strata 6: Trouble at the Bank (Animal Instincts) (The Book of Immersion)
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Strata 5: Renyke Goes to The Bank (Memories and Experiences) (The Book of...
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