Blinded by the (Speed of) Light

This article traces the significant links that Virilio's dromological analy sis posits between the social and political impact of mechanical vehicles a nd communications media. Focusing on the way that the 'revolutions' of tran sportation rind transmission have fundamentally altered contemporary experi ences of space and time, the article explores the implications of Virilio's concept of spatio-temporal 'overexposure'. My contention is that Virilio's work has been of critical importance in placing questions about differenti al spatio-temporal regimes on the political agenda. However, his critique o f 'tele-presence' is ultimately hampered by his continued attachment to a p henomenological subject, which I argue does not provide an adequate basis f rom which to rethink the dominant social relations of time and space manife st in the contemporary media.