Introduction

Rhetoric as a Posthuman Practice by Dr. Casey Boyle is a response to current rhetorical practices and discusses how said practices need to be updated for the new, “digital” age, and how society’s new dependence on technology has created new rhetorical bodies and traditions. Boyle discusses the issues that current rhetoric has in regards to digital communications and literacy, not necessarily offering solutions, but more so exploring what can and should change. Boyle sees technology as a new body of communication that rhetoric should be open to instead of shying away from, as he believes ignoring the possibilities of digital rhetoric would be a loss of major potential. Rhetoric as a Posthuman Practice is full of interesting concepts and information that would more than likely be somewhat difficult for someone not familiar with posthumanism to understand. Anyone who does not know at least the basics behind posthumanism should do some background research before picking up this book, as even though Boyle does define terms that he uses, some connections to existing theories may be lost on those unfamiliar with said theories. Boyle is clearly quite enthusiastic about his subject, as shown through brief moments in which Boyle tends to explain ideas for a bit longer than necessary while keeping other moments more brief and concise.