Taste Test Thursday - We Have Never Been Modern

Latour, Bruno (1991).We have Never been Modern. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Bruno Latour’s We have Never Been Modern is examining objects from a very unique perch. I say “perch” because the lines of his theory are almost intangible, so much so one could slip into misunderstanding quite easily. Latour currently divides much of the world views and their respective disciplines as clearly delineated forms – what he calls the “Work of Purification.” However, some disciplines such as journalism and anthropologist view the world as a network of connections between art, science, technology, politics, geography, religion, etc… These are Latour’s hybrid “monsters” which he calls “Works of Translation.” Latour’s perch is to utilize the approaches of purification and translation simultaneously to seek a better understanding to the relationship of things (30). This requires a complete rethinking of approaching world view in which objects are not concrete separate forms nor are they the result of networked interpretations. Rather these objects are quasi-objects which occupy a broad spectrum (horizontally and laterally) between the two approaches. As Latour extends his perch further and further into his theory, his approach becomes more precarious because it lacks definition. This is actually his intent. He is attempting to remove us from the indoctrinated procedures and thoughts of purification or translations and free us to a more intimate understanding of object’s meaning and relationships beyond the locali of networks.

Because of Latour’s perch regarding objects it also affects his perception of history. He says, “Where do we get the idea of time that passes?” (68). This question quite eloquently makes his point. Time is continuous. It is a continual thread of networks being woven together from different locali and disciplines – sometimes doubling back on itself, sometimes breaking away to be reknitted in at a later or earlier point. There is not mythical Antropos who severs the thread and divides our understanding of history. The same is true for the objects of the world.

How does this apply to literature?

           

            I think Latour does a good job of reminding us to look beyond the writer’s perception because their world view (whether one of purification or translation) will affect their writing. 

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*Sorry it's late.