_thinkMake Week-06,07,08-:reading -05 (Vibrant Matter :A Political Ecology of Things; The Force of Things)

Vibrant Matter : A Political Ecology of Things

by Jane Bennett

The Force of Things

Following Michel Foucault's passing in 1984, research on the body and social production turned to the study of biopower dynamics. Research revealed the impact of cultural activities on the "natural" and the constructive and destructive potential of nonhuman materials, exposing both macropolitical and micropolitical strategies. The continuity between humans and other beings is emphasized by Spinoza's idea of vitality in bodies, which focuses on an object's moment of independence and how it affects other bodies.

Thing-Power I: Debris

The author encountered a collection of objects in Baltimore, revealing their power and uniqueness. They realized that nonhuman bodies could create effects and repulsion, and that American materialism, which consumes more products, is antimateriality. The author also discovered a leachate seep in a garbage hill, demonstrating the power of inanimate things to animate and produce dramatic effects.

Thing-Power II: Odradek’s Nonorganic Life

Inorganic matter and energy can spontaneously generate structures beyond phase transitions, demonstrating creativity in even the simplest forms. Franz Kafka's short story "Cares of a Family Man" explores impersonal life with Odradek, straddling the line between inert matter and vital life. This insight into matter's inherent creativity needs to be incorporated into new materialist philosophies.

 Thing-Power III: Legal Actants 

The authore discusses the concept of an actor as an intervener, not an object or subject. Bruno Latour defines an actor as an intervener, not an object or subject. The concept of "deodand" was abolished in 1846, emphasizing the horizontal juxtaposition of things and persons.

 Thing-Power IV: Walking, Talking Minerals

 discusses the concept of materiality as vital and human power, focusing on nonhuman bodies as actants rather than objects. Vital materialists argue that humans are composed of vital materials and that our powers are thing-power. Critics argue that this view authorises the treatment of people as mere things, but acknowledge that subject versus object has sometimes helped prevent or ameliorate human suffering and promote happiness.

Thing-Power V: Thing-Power and Adorno’s Nonidentity

Theodor Adorno's concept of thing power suggests a gap between concept and reality, with the thing eluded by representation. He uses the method of "negative dialectics" to address this discomforting feeling of being forgotten.

Adorno suggests that humans can indirectly experience the outside through vague images and impressions but also encounter an active, forceful, and quasi-independent outside.

 

 

·       Following Michel Foucault's passing in 1984, research on the body and social production turned to the study of biopower dynamics.

·       Research revealed the impact of cultural activities on the "natural" and the constructive and destructive potential of nonhuman materials, exposing both macropolitical and micropolitical strategies.

·       The continuity between humans and other beings is emphasized by Spinoza's idea of vitality in bodies, which focuses on an object's moment of independence and how it affects other bodies.

·       They realized that nonhuman bodies could create effects and repulsion, and that American materialism, which consumes more products, is antimateriality.

·       The author also discovered a leachate seep in a garbage hill, demonstrating the power of inanimate things to animate and produce dramatic effects.

·       Thing-Power II: Odradek's Nonorganic LifeInorganic matter and energy can spontaneously generate structures beyond phase transitions, demonstrating creativity in even the simplest forms.

·       Franz Kafka's short story "Cares of a Family Man" explores impersonal life with Odradek, straddling the line between inert matter and vital life.

·       This insight into matter's inherent creativity needs to be incorporated into new materialist philosophies.

·       Thing-Power III: Legal Actants The authore discusses the concept of an actor as an intervener, not an object or subject.

·       Bruno Latour defines an actor as an intervener, not an object or subject.

·       The concept of "deodand" was abolished in 1846, emphasizing the horizontal juxtaposition of things and persons.

·       Thing-Power IV: Walking, Talking Minerals discusses the concept of materiality as vital and human power, focusing on nonhuman bodies as actants rather than objects.

·       Vital materialists argue that humans are composed of vital materials and that our powers are thing-power.

·       Critics argue that this view authorises the treatment of people as mere things, but acknowledge that subject versus object has sometimes helped prevent or ameliorate human suffering and promote happiness.

·       Thing-Power V: Thing-Power and Adorno's NonidentityTheodor Adorno's concept of thing power suggests a gap between concept and reality, with the thing eluded by representation.


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