Matt Klein approximately 180 words
INTD 105-19: Science Writing
We Have Never Been Modern Response
By Matt Klein
In his book We Have Never Been Modern, Bruno Latour analyzes the divisions that modernity has constructed between man and nature. While ancient societies made no distinctions between these, “modern” culture has separated the fields of science and sociology discrete groups. Latour defines his idea of modernism at the end of the first chapter. In order for modern society to “remain effective,” we must “[designate] two sets of entirely different practices which must remain distinct.” These practices are “translation,” which creates hybrids of nature and culture, and “purification,” which separates humans and nonhumans. While this seems paradoxical, Latour argues that both must exist in order us to become truly modern.
The Arboretum seems like a valid example of the practice of translation since it combines both nature and culture. I’m curious about how it has been viewed in the local media though, specifically whether or not it has been viewed as a separate part of campus unrelated to any other or if it has been discussed along with other aspects of the Geneseo culture. This would be a good point to research for my final essay.