Eugene Thacker is an American philosopher and cultural critic whose work is often associated with the fields of media theory, continental philosophy, and speculative realism. He is best known for exploring the intersection of technology and philosophy, with a particular focus on issues of biology, biotechnology, and life itself. One of his notable contributions is the concept of the "biomedia," which refers to the ways in which biological life is intertwined with technological media.
Thacker has written extensively about the philosophical implications of science and technology, delving into topics such as genetic engineering, computer viruses, and the limits of human knowledge. He is recognized for his writings on horror and the philosophy of pessimism, particularly in his book "In the Dust of This Planet," which is part of his "Horror of Philosophy" trilogy. This series investigates the relationship between philosophy and horror, challenging traditional ways of thinking about the human condition and the unknown.
His work often bridges the gap between scholarly discourse and a wider public audience, contributing to his reputation as both a rigorous academic and an accessible public intellectual. Thacker's interdisciplinary approach draws from various philosophical traditions, including the works of Friedrich Nietzsche, Georges Bataille, and Michel Foucault, to engage with contemporary issues of biopolitics, nihilism, and the human relationship with the natural and the supernatural worlds.