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Dynamic hybrids and the geographies of technoscience: discussing conceptual resources beyond the human/non-human binary

This paper discusses the nature of (post)-human and (post)-natural worlds by examining the types of entities responsible for knowledge production in contemporary technoscience. Based upon a case study in high-energy physics and a constructive critical engagement with actor-network thought in science...

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Main Author: Heike Jons
Format: Default Article
Published: 2006
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Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/2134/5926
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author Heike Jons
author_facet Heike Jons
author_sort Heike Jons (1254555)
collection Figshare
description This paper discusses the nature of (post)-human and (post)-natural worlds by examining the types of entities responsible for knowledge production in contemporary technoscience. Based upon a case study in high-energy physics and a constructive critical engagement with actor-network thought in science studies and geography, a complex trinity of geographically relevant actants is developed and discussed as a conceptual resource for studying geographies of human–environment relations beyond reductionist dualisms such as subject/object, nature/society and human/non-human. At the heart of the suggested trinity of actants lies the notion of ‘dynamic hybrids’ that identifies humans, other organisms and certain machines as decisive nodes between material and immaterial spaces of scientific network-building. The paper concludes by assessing how the suggested conceptual moves may affect the analysis and critique of scientific practice. It is pointed out that the proposed conceptual resources are not trying to establish new boundaries in order to contribute to a better understanding of science and its varying geographies, but to keep the categories we use in motion.
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spelling rr-article-94817662006-01-01T00:00:00Z Dynamic hybrids and the geographies of technoscience: discussing conceptual resources beyond the human/non-human binary Heike Jons (1254555) Other earth sciences not elsewhere classified Sociology not elsewhere classified Scientific practice Materiality Hybridity Immateriality Actor-network theory Physics Earth Sciences not elsewhere classified Sociology This paper discusses the nature of (post)-human and (post)-natural worlds by examining the types of entities responsible for knowledge production in contemporary technoscience. Based upon a case study in high-energy physics and a constructive critical engagement with actor-network thought in science studies and geography, a complex trinity of geographically relevant actants is developed and discussed as a conceptual resource for studying geographies of human–environment relations beyond reductionist dualisms such as subject/object, nature/society and human/non-human. At the heart of the suggested trinity of actants lies the notion of ‘dynamic hybrids’ that identifies humans, other organisms and certain machines as decisive nodes between material and immaterial spaces of scientific network-building. The paper concludes by assessing how the suggested conceptual moves may affect the analysis and critique of scientific practice. It is pointed out that the proposed conceptual resources are not trying to establish new boundaries in order to contribute to a better understanding of science and its varying geographies, but to keep the categories we use in motion. 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z Text Journal contribution 2134/5926 https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Dynamic_hybrids_and_the_geographies_of_technoscience_discussing_conceptual_resources_beyond_the_human_non-human_binary/9481766 CC BY-NC-ND 2.5
spellingShingle Other earth sciences not elsewhere classified
Sociology not elsewhere classified
Scientific practice
Materiality
Hybridity
Immateriality
Actor-network theory
Physics
Earth Sciences not elsewhere classified
Sociology
Heike Jons
Dynamic hybrids and the geographies of technoscience: discussing conceptual resources beyond the human/non-human binary
title Dynamic hybrids and the geographies of technoscience: discussing conceptual resources beyond the human/non-human binary
title_full Dynamic hybrids and the geographies of technoscience: discussing conceptual resources beyond the human/non-human binary
title_fullStr Dynamic hybrids and the geographies of technoscience: discussing conceptual resources beyond the human/non-human binary
title_full_unstemmed Dynamic hybrids and the geographies of technoscience: discussing conceptual resources beyond the human/non-human binary
title_short Dynamic hybrids and the geographies of technoscience: discussing conceptual resources beyond the human/non-human binary
title_sort dynamic hybrids and the geographies of technoscience: discussing conceptual resources beyond the human/non-human binary
topic Other earth sciences not elsewhere classified
Sociology not elsewhere classified
Scientific practice
Materiality
Hybridity
Immateriality
Actor-network theory
Physics
Earth Sciences not elsewhere classified
Sociology
url https://hdl.handle.net/2134/5926