The Latin word, ‘Surdus’–used to translate the Arabic mathematical term, ‘asamm’–had referred to irrational numbers, those resisting, or willfully remaining deaf to, ratiocination and thus calculability. Its contemporary counterparts, the mathematical 'surd;' and the linguistic use of ‘surd’ for unvoiced consonants find a link in the Proto-Indo-European ‘*swer-’ which meant to buzz, whisper, or whistle. With the rise of contemporary calculation and the computational society of control which derives its power from bayesian modeling, the mathematical theory of communication, and algorithmic machine learning, the ability to remain inscrutible and deafening to such Capitalist ratiocination continues to be, and is an evermore, important aspect of resistance. The Radical Black Aesthetic, as presented by thinkers such as Fred Moten, reveals that such improvisational play with a system of oppressive logic through immanent expressions has long preceded the advent of contemporary computers. This seminar thus seeks papers exploring such improvisational breaks and immanent expressions of the paraontological surd–from ghost notes, to jazz scatting, to beatboxing, to so-called mumble rap, and more–in the context of resisting power structures within the contemporary algorithmic society of control.

We accept papers from fields such as:

• Sound Studies


• Black Studies


• Media Archeology


• Posthumanism


• Black Feminism


• Digital Humanities


• Queer and Affect Theory


• Disability Studies and Crip Theory


• Creative projects exhibiting this form of improvisation


• Any study related to such immanent expressions

Please submit an abstract through the ACLA portal if you are interested; I look forward to potentially working with you all! 

For questions, please email me at zwagner3@binghamton.edu.