Acting in an Uncertain World: Thinking Techno-Ecologically?
Date
2011-03-18
Authors
Girvan, Anita
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Pacific Centre for Technology and Culture
Abstract
Borrowing the title from an essay by Michael Callon and his colleagues working at the intersection of science and technology studies and politics, this presentation, “Acting in an Uncertain World”, attempts to think through questions of environment and technology in a time of proliferating ecological crises. These crises, no longer conceived of as ‘natural’ disasters, or ‘human’ problems but deep entanglements, suggest new forms of technologically enabled democracy, where both slowness (slowing down to institutionalize deliberative processes) and speed (especially in communicating to inform an engaged citizenry) may interact in novel ways.
Description
Anita Girvan is a research associate at PACTAC. Her PhD project focuses on the mediating role ‘carbon footprint’ metaphors in responses to climate change, and her broader interests are in the cultural and geo-political loops of language, narrative and ecology. She is also a Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS) Fellow at the University of Victoria and recipient of a Joseph Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship.
Keywords
ecology, environment, ecological crisis, natural disasters, science and technology studies
Citation
Girvan, Anita. "Acting in an Uncertain World: Thinking Techno-Ecologically?" Pacific Centre for Technology and Culture, Victoria, B.C. 18 March 2011. Presentation.