In this paper, we introduce the Japanese philosopher Tetsurō Watsuji’s phenomenology of aidagara (“betweenness”) and use his analysis in the contemporary context of online space. We argue that Watsuji develops a prescient analysis anticipating modern technologically-mediated forms of expression and engagement. More precisely, we show that instead of adopting a traditional phenomenological focus on face-to-face interaction, Watsuji argues that communication technologies—which now include Internet-enabled technologies and spaces—are expressive vehicles enabling new forms of emotional expression, shared experiences, and modes of betweenness that would be otherwise inaccessible. Using Watsuji’s phenomenological analysis, we argue that the Internet is not simply a sophisticated form of communication technology that expresses our subjective spatiality (although it is), but that it actually gives rise to new forms of subjective spatiality itself. We conclude with an exploration of how certain aspects of our online interconnections are hidden from lay users in ways that have significant political and ethical implications.

在本文中，我们介绍日本哲学家Tetsuro Watsuji的aidagara现象学（“中间性”）并在当代网络空间的背景下使用他的分析。我们认为，Watsuji 开发了一种有先见之明的分析，预测了现代技术介导的表达和参与形式。更准确地说，我们表明，Watsuji 并没有将传统的现象学重点放在面对面的互动上，而是认为通信技术——现在包括支持互联网的技术和空间——是能够实现新形式的情感表达、共享体验、以及其他方式无法访问的中介模式。使用 Watsuji 的现象学分析，我们认为互联网不仅仅是一种复杂的通信技术形式，它表达了我们的主观空间性（尽管它是），而且它实际上产生了主观空间性本身的新形式。