Different Engines: Media Technologies From Latin America by Andrés Burbano (review)

Reviewed by:

• Different Engines: Media Technologies From Latin America by Andrés Burbano
• Edgar Gómez-Cruz (bio)

Different Engines: Media Technologies From Latin America By Andrés Burbano. Abingdon: Routledge, 2023. Pp. 220.

In Different Engines, Colombian scholar Andrés Burbano invites readers to contemplate an intriguing alternative genealogy of pervasive technologies like photography, computer music, color television, programming languages, and physical computing by looking at technologies developed in Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and Mexico. Through this lens, Burbano unravels a concealed history of technological development, innovation, and creativity in Latin America, shedding light on the intersection of cultural, social, economic, and historical factors in the innovation process. In dispelling the notion that the Global South merely consumes technologies from the North, the book asserts that Latin America is a constant hub of creative innovation, often operating independently of market logics. The book not only serves as a historical account but, more importantly, invites readers to actively participate in the construction of media and technological futures rooted in and emanating from Latin America. The overarching message is a call to reconsider technological innovation not solely within the confines of global economic power centers but as a dynamic force that can emanate from diverse and unexpected sources. Thus, the lines between "historically significant" and "historically successful" are blurred.

Burbano employs a media archaeology perspective with an artistic sensibility, delving into the geopolitical, social, and personal circumstances surrounding the development of five distinct technologies, each of them developed in Latin America. Each chapter meticulously examines one of these technologies: photography, a color wheel for television, COMDASUAR (a personal computer), Lua (a programming language), and Wiring (an interface for physical computing). Channeling the role of an archaeologist revealing new artifacts, Burbano explores the inception, conditions, barriers, [End Page 697] and logics behind each invention, providing a comprehensive understanding of how they "failed" or "succeeded."

The book has two sections: "Backtracking" and "Sidetracking." Each chapter aligns with the logic of its respective technology. Consequently, the chapters on photography and television read more like media histories, while others delve deeper into technical computational details. This approach transforms each chapter into a discrete story, with varying levels of readability.

Different Engines goes beyond a historical exploration, intertwining personal involvement with the technologies discussed and creating a narrative that bridges historical analysis and hands-on experience. For example, Burbano reconstructs the COMDASUAR computer software using a Raspberry Pi board, and he does "photographies" using and testing the limits of Hercule Florence's methods. This turns the book into a "field diary" of the author's direct engagement with the subject matter, which brings the historical artifacts to life. By doing so, Burbano opens up a space to interrogate not only the historical context of these technologies but also their present possibilities and limitations. This encapsulates an innovative component of his methodology—one that emphasizes the importance of lived experiences and hands-on encounters in comprehending technological artifacts.

Different Engines serves as a crucial intervention, challenging conventional perspectives on technology and compelling readers to reassess their understanding by considering different epistemic geographies. In doing so, the book brings attention to parallel stories that, though relegated to the sidelines of the historical canon, richly elucidate the vibrant technological cultures of the Global South. By uncovering forgotten or invisible narratives, the book broadens our appreciation of the technological contributions emanating from Latin America.

An additional noteworthy contribution lies in the book's facilitation of a dialogue between literature on media technologies from the Global North and from Latin America. Rather than promoting separation, the book fosters an open conversation, positioning itself as one of the few authentic media archaeologies focused on and originating from Latin America. This not only represents a significant contribution but also extends an invitation to scholars in the region to further engage in this kind of research. Simultaneously, it prompts media archaeologists to recognize Latin America as a fertile ground for innovation.

Different Engines is poised to resonate with a broad audience, spanning academia and beyond. Its appeal reaches media, science and technology, and Latin American studies scholars, artists, historians of technologies, and even entrepreneurs. Like the technologies it meticulously dissects, the book possesses layers that...