economic subpersonal
LAB
ABOUT US
Making the economic conscious
The Economic Subpersonal Lab (E.S.LAB) is an independent, open-access scientific and journalistic platform dedicated to uncovering and analyzing the often-hidden subpersonal mechanisms that drive behaviors and shape societal dynamics. Additionally, this initiative aligns with a public health mission, addressing the impact of these dynamics on young people and global populations affected by the forces embedded within the economic unconscious.


MORE ABOUT [E.S.LAB]
Founded and directed by Liviu Poenaru, Doctor in psychology (Geneva), author of Inconscient économique (L’Harmattan, Paris, 2023), and editor-in-chief of the journal In Analysis, (published by Elsevier), E.S.LAB bridges the worlds of rigorous academic research and accessible public discourse. Its mission is to demystify the unconscious forces of cybercapitalism and foster critical reflection and dialogue on the ways these forces influence mental health, human behavior, and the structures of modern society.
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Building on its dedication to public health, E.S.LAB focuses on the psychiatric and physical epidemiology of illnesses linked to social media and broader Internet usage. Research increasingly highlights the profound impact of digital platforms on mental health, showing correlations with anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, musculoskeletal strain from prolonged device use, and conditions related to chronic stress and cognitive decline. E.S.LAB examines these issues through the lens of subpersonal psychology, exploring how persistent exposure to algorithm-driven environments and digital stimuli disrupts neural, cognitive, and physiological subsystems. By investigating the interplay of these subsystems and their influence on personal-level experiences, the platform seeks to illuminate how addictive interface designs, social validation cycles, and the commodification of attention fuel a wide range of mental health challenges. This public health-focused approach not only enhances understanding but also generates actionable insights to mitigate these risks through advocacy, policy reforms, and educational outreach.
The subpersonal level in psychology refers to the explanatory framework that attributes psychological phenomena to processes and mechanisms operating beneath the level of the whole person, focusing instead on the functioning of specific neural, cognitive, or physiological subsystems. Unlike personal-level explanations, which interpret behavior or mental states in terms of beliefs, desires, or intentions of the individual as an integrated agent, subpersonal explanations describe the operations of discrete components of the brain, nervous system, or other biological structures as if they perform specific tasks such as representing, processing, or evaluating information. The subpersonal level intertwines with the psychological (or personal) level by providing the mechanistic foundation for the behaviors and mental states observed and explained at the personal level. While the psychological level focuses on understanding individuals as unified agents with beliefs, desires, and intentions, the subpersonal level explains how these higher-level phenomena emerge from the interaction of neural, cognitive, or physiological subsystems.
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At its core, E.S.LAB investigates the economic unconscious—those deep-seated, hidden forces that shape desires, decisions, and ideologies at both individual and collective levels. Central to this inquiry is the concept of scopic colonialism, which critiques how digital visual capitalism captures and commodifies human psychology through an endless stream of images embedded with economic codes, transforming individuals into both consumers and commodities within surveillance-driven economies. By uncovering these subpersonal mechanisms, E.S.LAB empowers individuals to understand how these systems shape their lives and equips them with tools to navigate and resist their pervasive influence.
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E.S.LAB adopts an interdisciplinary approach, addressing these issues through diverse perspectives including mental health epidemiology, sociology, critical thinking, psychology, neurosciences, and philosophy. It examines how precarious labor, consumerism, algorithmic control, and socio-economic inequality impact psychological well-being and mental health at a global scale. The platform delves into how economic pressures and cybercapitalism infiltrate neural and psychological processes, altering how individuals perceive, act, and form their identities.
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Committed to fostering a truly global dialogue, E.S.LAB serves as a gathering space for critical thinkers, scientists, journalists, and witnesses from around the world. By bringing together diverse voices, the platform creates a dynamic ecosystem of knowledge, reflection, and debate. E.S.LAB seeks to highlight not only academic insights but also testimonies and lived experiences, revealing how economic systems impact people across cultural, social, and geographic boundaries.
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Through a range of engaging content, E.S.LAB offers a window into this complex interplay of psychology and economics. Regular features include news updates on the latest research, critical essays unpacking key concepts, interdisciplinary dialogues with thought leaders, and case studies analyzing real-world phenomena such as the mental health crises in gig economies or the commodification of human attention. By making these issues accessible to a broader audience, E.S.LAB empowers individuals to better understand the forces shaping their daily lives.
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The vision of E.S.LAB, grounded in the concept of the economic unconscious, offers a critical framework for examining the intersections of capitalism, mental health, and social justice. E.S.LAB encourages readers to engage with these ideas and actively participate in a collective movement of reflection and transformative action.
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Whether you are an academic, journalist, practitioner, or simply a curious individual seeking to make sense of the forces shaping the modern world, E.S.LAB offers an inclusive platform for inquiry and exchange. By uncovering the unseen dynamics of cybercapitalism, the platform inspires critical awareness and collective agency, encouraging transformative solutions to the challenges of our time.
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Join the dialogue and become part of a global community working to decode the hidden economic and psychological forces shaping our reality. Visit E.S.LAB's Instructions for Authors to learn more about contributing to this vital dialogue.
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December 2024
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Annual Publication Initiative: Curating Critical Reflections
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In its commitment to fostering rigorous interdisciplinary inquiry and making cutting-edge research accessible to a broader audience, E.S.LAB is proud to launch an annual publication initiative. This project will result in the publication of a book each year, compiling a selection of the most insightful and thought-provoking articles contributed to the platform. By consolidating these works into a single volume, E.S.LAB seeks to deepen the global dialogue on cybercapitalism, mental health, and the economic unconscious, offering readers a comprehensive resource that captures the evolving landscape of these critical issues.
The annual book will be structured around a central theme reflecting the pressing concerns of the year. It will feature contributions from researchers, psychologists, sociologists, philosophers, neuroscientists, and journalists, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach that mirrors E.S.LAB's core mission. This collection will not only present theoretical frameworks but will also include empirical studies, case analyses, and testimonies that shed light on the lived experiences of individuals affected by the pervasive forces of digital capitalism.
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One of the primary goals of this initiative is to bridge the gap between academic research and public discourse. By transforming the diverse contributions from the E.S.LAB community into a carefully curated volume, the publication aims to provide an accessible yet intellectually rigorous resource for scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and general readers alike. This initiative aligns with E.S.LAB’s broader objective of disseminating knowledge that can inspire action, inform policy reforms, and encourage critical engagement with the psychological and socio-economic mechanisms that shape contemporary life.
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In addition to its academic and intellectual merit, the annual publication will serve as a historical archive of the evolving discourse surrounding digital capitalism and its psychological impact. Each volume will encapsulate the key debates, emergent trends, and critical perspectives of the time, offering a valuable reference for future research and reflection.
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Authors whose works are selected for inclusion will have the opportunity to refine and expand their analyses in collaboration with E.S.LAB’s editorial team. This process will ensure that the book maintains a high standard of scholarly rigor while remaining accessible to a diverse readership. Furthermore, E.S.LAB will explore multiple formats, including print and digital editions, to maximize the reach and impact of the publication.
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By launching this annual book series, E.S.LAB reinforces its commitment to sustained intellectual inquiry and collective knowledge production. This initiative is not merely a repository of research but a catalyst for ongoing dialogue and transformative action. Readers, contributors, and collaborators are invited to engage with this project, whether by submitting articles, participating in discussions, or integrating these insights into their own work.
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Stay connected with E.S.LAB for updates on submission guidelines, thematic focuses, and publication releases. Together, through this annual initiative, we continue to unveil the hidden economic and psychological forces shaping our reality, empowering individuals and communities to navigate and resist their influence.
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