Human Energetics in an Era of Post-Humanism

French philosopher of technology Gilbert Simondon is undoubtedly one of the key figures when it comes to conceptualizing individuation across physical, mental and social strata. In this article, we develop a rather overlooked aspect of Simondon’s work, namely how his ontogenetic project also implies an idea of a “human science” based on a “human energetics,” which—maybe in spite of its name—is an inherently transhumanist project transducing across both disciplinary and experiential fields, with a particular emphasis on the role of technology. We present key concepts in Simondon’s work and relate them to lines of thinking on energies in the arts (Kahn) and post-colonialism (Wynter), exemplified through an analysis of Nigerian artist Otobong Nkanga’s video work “Remains of the Green Hill.” Our primary aim with the article is to continue a mobilization of Simondonian concepts and thinking for an experimental, transhumanist exploration in relation to its ethico-aesthetic and artistic potential.