I think Virilio is one of the century's genuine original thinkers. More specifically, his thesis about speed and chrono-politics is a key explanation of the basic transformation of society under pressure from technology. Of course he is all over the place and hardly rigorous, but his shere intelligence makes him a 'must read' in my view. His ideas inspire more than educate, but he is worth paying attention to in a world of charlatans passing themselves off as intellectuals. Read, think and understand.