Editing Actor–network theory (section)

=== Actor-Network ===
As the term implies, the actor-network is the central concept in ANT. The term "network" is somewhat problematic in that it, as Latour<ref name="RtS" /><ref name="technology">Latour, B. (1999). [http://www.bruno-latour.fr/sites/default/files/46-TECHNOLOGY-DURABLE-GBpdf.pdf "Technology Is Society Made Durable"]. In Law, J., ed., ''Sociology of Monsters''.</ref><ref name="on">{{Cite journal|last=Latour|first=Bruno|date=1996|title=On actor-network theory: A few clarifications|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/40878163.pdf|journal=Soziale Welt|volume=47|issue=4|pages=369–381|jstor=40878163}}</ref> notes, has a number of unwanted connotations. Firstly, it implies that what is described takes the shape of a network, which is not necessarily the case. Secondly, it implies "transportation without deformation," which, in ANT, is not possible since any actor-network involves a vast number of [[#Translation|translations]]. Latour,<ref name="on" /> however, still contends that network is a fitting term to use, because "it has no a priori order relation; it is not tied to the axiological myth of a top and of a bottom of society; it makes absolutely no assumption whether a specific locus is macro- or micro- and does not modify the tools to study the element 'a' or the element 'b'." This use of the term "network" is very similar to Deleuze and Guattari's [[Rhizome (philosophy)|rhizomes]]; Latour<ref name="technology" /> even remarks tongue-in-cheek that he would have no objection to renaming ANT "actant-rhizome ontology" if it only had sounded better, which hints at Latour's uneasiness with the word "theory".

Actor–network theory tries to explain how material–semiotic networks come together to act as a whole; the clusters of actors involved in creating meaning are both material and semiotic. As a part of this it may look at explicit strategies for relating different elements together into a network so that they form an apparently coherent whole. These networks are potentially transient, existing in a constant making and re-making.<ref name="RtS" /> This means that relations need to be repeatedly "performed" or the network will dissolve. They also assume that networks of relations are not intrinsically coherent, and may indeed contain conflicts. Social relations, in other words, are only ever in process, and must be [[Performativity|performed]] continuously.

The Pasteur story that was mentioned above introduced the patterned network of diverse materials, which is called the idea of '[[Heterogeneous network|heterogenous networks]]'.<ref name=":1" /> The basic idea of patterned network is that human is not the only factor or contributor in the society, or in any social activities and networks. Thus, the network composes machines, animals, things, and any other objects.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last=Law|first=John|date=1992|title=Notes on the theory of the actor-network: Ordering, strategy, and heterogeneity|url=http://m.heterogeneities.net/publications/Law1992NotesOnTheTheoryOfTheActorNetwork.pdf|journal=Systems Practice|volume=5|issue=4|pages=379–393|doi=10.1007/BF01059830|s2cid=38931862}}</ref> For those [[Non-human|nonhuman]] actors, it might be hard for people to imagine their roles in the network. For example, say two people, Jacob and Mike, are speaking through texts. Within the current technology, they are able to communicate with each other without seeing each other in person. Therefore, when typing or writing, the communication is basically not mediated by either of them, but instead by a network of objects, like their computers or cell phones.<ref name=":2" />

If taken to its logical conclusion, then, nearly any actor can be considered merely a sum of other, smaller actors. A car is an example of a complicated system. It contains many electronic and [[machine|mechanical]] components, all of which are essentially hidden from view to the driver, who simply deals with the car as a single object. This effect is known as ''punctualisation'',<ref name=":2"/> and is similar to the idea of [[Encapsulation (object-oriented programming)|encapsulation]] in [[object-oriented programming]].

When an actor network breaks down, the punctualisation effect tends to cease as well.<ref name=":2"/> In the automobile example above, a non-working engine would cause the driver to become aware of the car as a collection of parts rather than just a vehicle capable of transporting him or her from place to place. This can also occur when elements of a network act contrarily to the network as a whole. In his book ''[[Bruno Latour#Pandora's Hope|Pandora's Hope]]'',<ref name=":4" /> Latour likens depunctualization to the opening of a black box. When closed, the box is perceived simply as a box, although when it is opened all elements inside it become visible.