What is hyperobject?

A hyperobject is a concept introduced by philosopher Timothy Morton to describe objects that are massively distributed in time and space, fundamentally altering the way we think about objects and their relationships with human beings and the environment. Hyperobjects are complex, interconnected phenomena that are too vast and complex to be easily understood or perceived in their entirety. Examples of hyperobjects include climate change, nuclear waste, and the internet. These phenomena often exist beyond our immediate experiences and cannot be fully grasped or contained. They involve multiple scales and timelines, influencing and being influenced by a myriad of factors, human actions, and cultural contexts. Morton uses the concept of hyperobjects to challenge traditional notions of object permanence and to highlight the ways in which our understanding of the world is shaped by these expansive and often overwhelming entities. Hyperobjects require us to rethink our relationships with the environment, technology, and ourselves, encouraging a more interconnected view of existence.