Downward Movement

In 2021, philosopher Timothy Morton and anthropologist Dominic Boyer published Hyposubjects: On Becoming Human, a work that delves into themes of ecology and the Anthropocene while critiquing the prevailing ideologies of the tech industry. The book was made available for free by Open Humanities Press and saw a Russian translation released in 2026 by HylePress.

Morton, renowned for his earlier work Hyperobjects, expands on his previous ideas in this new book. While Hyposubjects does not engage directly with topics like cryptocurrencies or artificial intelligence, it discusses the illusion of transcendence prevalent in technology—such as the aspiration to upload consciousness to the cloud or colonize Mars. The authors introduce the term "subscendence" as a counterpoint to conventional thinking about networks and decentralization.

The Nature of Hyperobjects

Morton describes hyperobjects as entities so vast that they elude complete understanding. He cites examples like black holes and the biosphere, highlighting how human-created hyperobjects, such as financial systems, manifest indirectly through events like economic crashes. This perspective likens financial phenomena to natural disasters, suggesting that they operate beyond individual control.

“Can we blame a hurricane for the destruction it causes? No, it happens ‘by the will of God.’ In its hyperobjectivity, finance now resembles ‘nature’,” Morton and Boyer argue.

The authors label those who create these hyperobjects as hyper-subjects, who wield technology to maintain control and exhibit a belief in humanity's ability to transcend its limitations. They reference futurist Ray Kurzweil’s prediction that AI will achieve human-level intelligence by 2029, illustrating this belief in transcendence as a form of denial about mortality.

“Ray Kurzweil says: yes, death is real... But personally, I do not accept it, so freeze me,” they summarize his outlook.

Defining Hyposubjects

In contrast, hyposubjects embody a more grounded existence. They do not aspire to absolute power, but engage with the world through play, care, and adaptation. This concept emphasizes an inward journey, recognizing the importance of interconnectedness with non-human entities, such as bacteria that are essential for human survival.

The authors advocate for a shift in focus from transcendence to subscendence, as captured in their chosen epigraph, “Do not grow up. Grow down.” This perspective encourages seeing oneself as part of a larger ecological web rather than the center of existence.

The Whole is Less Than the Sum of Its Parts

Morton and Boyer challenge traditional notions of holism, proposing instead that the whole can be less significant than its individual components. They argue that networks should not be viewed as superior to their parts but as a collective of elements that derive power from their interactions rather than from an overarching abstraction.

This critique extends to cybernetics, where systems are often portrayed as self-sustaining entities. The authors argue that such views are misguided and emphasize the original intent of decentralization as a means to distribute power rather than consolidate it.

AI: Robot Vacuum vs. Skynet

The authors use the metaphor of a robot vacuum cleaner to illustrate the ideal hyposubject—grounded, functional, and limited in capability, contrasting sharply with the dystopian vision of superintelligent AI. They argue that current AI systems are more akin to robot vacuums, performing specific tasks and encountering challenges along the way.

In the crypto industry, this perspective resonates with the ongoing debate about the role of AI, emphasizing the need to view these technologies as tools that serve humanity rather than as threats to its existence.

Labor and the Illusion of Freedom

Morton and Boyer also explore how digital technologies, rather than liberating individuals from labor, often turn leisure activities into unpaid work, creating a cycle of constant engagement with technology. They draw parallels with the crypto market, where trading never ceases, likening the experience of traders to that of users perpetually refreshing social media feeds.

“As Marx said, we have become a meat appendage of iron machines,” the authors write, critiquing the relentless demands of modern technology.

Small Steps Towards Change

Rather than advocating for radical upheaval, Morton and Boyer suggest that addressing large-scale problems requires small, distributed actions. They liken this approach to movements like Occupy Wall Street, which emphasized vulnerability and the acknowledgment of ignorance.

“The apocalyptic problem does not require an apocalyptic solution. We can simply dismantle the apocalypse,” they assert.

In a similar vein, Vitalik Buterin recently proposed a counter to techno-optimism, advocating for a focus on decentralization and democratic principles within technology development.

Rethinking Complexity

Although Morton and Boyer’s writing may appear dense and complex, they aim to provoke thought rather than provide a definitive theory. They emphasize that in an age that values speed and growth, the most radical act may be to embrace simplicity and a slower pace of life.

Quotes are taken from the publication: Timothy Morton, Dominic Boyer. Hyposubjects: On Becoming Human. Perm: HylePress, 2026. Translated from English by Oleg Myshkin.