Rhetorical Theory/Bruno Latour

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Nathaniel Rivers, Saint Louis University

Enculturation (2012): http://enculturation.net/rhetorical-theory-bruno-latour

(Published: July 16, 2012)


With this series of video provocations, I am responding to what I feel is a surge of interest in Bruno Latour on the part of scholars in rhetorical theory. Beginning some time ago in technical and professional communication, the turn now to Latour in rhetorical theory more generally is notable not only for its suddenness, but also for its intensity. Panel discussions at the 2012 Conference and College Composition and Communication in St. Louis and the 2012 Rhetoric Society of America Conference in Philadelphia have attracted packed houses. Clearly, scholars of rhetoric are convinced that Latour has something to teach them.

The formula for these videos is as simple as it is ruthlessly consistent: three compelling quotes, a series of related, evocative images, a segment of narration outlining some possible point of articulation, and a segment of narration pointing toward that articulation’s development. In short, the videos work like little invention machines (and their mechanics frequently generate unexpected results). Even through their mechanical natures, though, these video responses are personal: they strike me as I read and respond to Latour out of my disciplinary enculturation in rhetorical theory. However, inasmuch as those of us in rhetoric share an interest in the objects of rhetoric, I hope these responses of mine might move viewers toward responses all their own: following the connections that interest them and maybe ignoring the others.

"Introduction"

A very short video outlining why I think the work of Bruno Latour is important and necessary for rhetoric and composition.

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Episode One: Show Your Work

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With this first numbered episode, I continue with my provocations, attempting to assemble rhetorical theory and Bruno Latour in mutually beneficial ways. In this episode, I discuss what I am calling Latour's insistence to "show your work": that is, to not assume as already existing that which we are always working to create. Additionally, this call to "show your work" highlights all those humans and nonhumans who take part in such work.

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Episode Two: Attitude

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With this episode, I continue with my provocations, attempting to assemble rhetorical theory and Bruno Latour in mutually beneficial ways. In this episode, I discuss what rhetoric has to offer Bruno Latour: specifically, I employ Kenneth Burke's notion of attitude to highlight the importance of "how" or of "mode" in the work of collectives.

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Episode Three: The Strong Defense

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With this episode, I continue with my provocations, attempting to assemble rhetorical theory and Bruno Latour in mutually beneficial ways. In this episode, I discuss what Bruno Latour adds to Richard Lanham's Strong Defense of rhetoric.

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Episode Four: Composition

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With this episode, I continue with my provocations, attempting to assemble rhetorical theory and Bruno Latour in mutually beneficial ways. In this video, I address the slash between rhetoric and composition (or R/C) using Bruno Latour's notion of Composition. Latour's expansive understanding of Composition provides room enough for a stronger articulation of rhetoric and composition.

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Episode Five: Responsibility

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With this episode, I continue with my provocations, attempting to assemble rhetorical theory and Bruno Latour in mutually beneficial ways. In this video, I use Latour's notions of actants and hybrids to address rhetoric's concern with agency and its bearing on questions of responsibility

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Episode Six: Ethos

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With this episode, I continue with my provocations, attempting to assemble rhetorical theory and Bruno Latour in mutually beneficial ways. In this video, I use Latour's thinking on the work of associations and collectives to explore ethos, which we can see as the securing of allies and the generating of interest.

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Episode Seven: Kairos

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With this episode, I continue with my provocations, attempting to assemble rhetorical theory and Bruno Latour in mutually beneficial ways. In this video, I use Latour's definition of time to tease out a Latourian kairos.

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Episode Eight: Lines

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With this episode, I continue with my provocations, attempting to assemble rhetorical theory and Bruno Latour in mutually beneficial ways. In this video, I use Latour's confrontation with relativism to strengthen rhetoric's investment in deciding in conditions of uncertainty.

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Episode Nine: Manual Rhetoric

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With this episode, I continue with my provocations, attempting to assemble rhetorical theory and Bruno Latour in mutually beneficial ways. In this video, I use Latour's discussion of machinations and machines to ratchet-up rhetoric and composition's investment in the material and in new media.

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Episode Ten: Love

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With this episode, I continue with my provocations, attempting to assemble rhetorical theory and Bruno Latour in mutually beneficial ways. In this video, I apply Jim Corder's notion of "rhetoric as love" to Latour's preference for symmetry in the examination and explanation of controversies.

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