Michel Callon:

“Some elements of a sociology of translation: domestication of the scallops and the fishermen of St Brieuc Bay”

INF 5011- Feb2011/ Beata, Ebenezer, Elise

Introduction

•  Michel Callon and ANT o French sociologist – founder of ANT together

with Bruno Latour and John Law

•  ANT o actor-networks o  translation o Principle of generalized symmetry o  [negotiation, alignment and inscription]

Motivation (main focus and argument)

•  ”outline a new approach to the study of power” - an analytic framework to the study of the role of science and technology in structuring power relationships

•  The sociology of translation •  The principles (to avoid three major difficulties in STS):

o  Agnosticism o  Generalized symmetry (all the actors have interests) o  Free association

The actor-network

The scallops The fishermen

The research community The three marine biologists

The Four Moments of Translation

Problematization -Building the Network Interessement - Building the Network Enrolment - Building the Network Mobilisation (Dissidence) - Changing and Rebuilding the Network

Problematization – interdefinition and OPP (Obligatory Passage Point)

We want to advance the knowledge about scallops!

We want to survive!

DOES PECTEN ANCHOR?

We want to restock the bay with scallops!

Interessment

Collectors ensure protection from predators and anchorage

Representatives of the fisherman discuss the reasons of the extinction of the scallops with the researchers

Lack of knowledge about scallops is professed during conferences and through publications

Enrolment– system of alliances

The scallops anchor only in certain conditions.

All conclusions are accepted (consent without discussion).

The experiment is convincing, but previous work must be recognized.

Inte rup

tion!!

Sig nifi ca

nce?

Mobilisation

•  Fair Representation o  Spokesmen-Who speak in the name of who o  Representative-Who represents who o  Transformation and Displacement

•  Examples of Mobilisation o  Few Larvae represents/speaks for anonymous mass o  Few scientist speaks for masses-Scientific Induction?

§ That which is true a few is true for whole population •  Sociology of Induction!!-(induction is also true here)

o  Union Delegate Speaks in the name of all members o  No one is sure the masses will follow their representative

Mobilisation

•  Social, natural and scientific realties are similar

o  Counting larvae is similar to electing representative o  The larvae authorize the researchers to speak on their

just like social delegates o  The three researcher are imposed spokesmen and

representative for all •  Transformation and Displacement

o  Examples § Scallops - Larvae - Numbers- Tables and Curves

(Easily transportable) § Fishermen - voting - ballots - delegates § Discussion in the conference is a mobilization

Dissidence: Betrayal and Controversies

•  The Dynamic interest and Identity o  What happens when the role and the identity of the actors

change in future •  Repeated experiment may show different results -Betrayal •  The belief can fluctuate with controversy - Betrayal •  Characteristics and identity of actors can change- Betrayal •  Will the negotiation that hold the first time hold in future?

Translation-ANT

Conclusion

•  The article treats the uncertainty in the properties of nature and society and their interest in the same way.

•  The researchers interest was not represented as an error of judgement

•  The same terms are use to explained the behavior of all actors but not social norm or factors

•  The discussion is based on dynamic role and identity of actors (dissidence) instead of static behavior.

•  What is translation?!!!!!

Question?

•  Is Scallop Social or Nature? •  Is Induction in Only Science or Sociology? •  Which Knowledge is Superior? (Comment on the picture)

•  Is ANT the End of the Big Discussion?