The Zimbabwe Bush Pump: Mechanics of a fluid technology
The Zimbabwe Bush Pump: Mechanics of a fluid technology
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DOI：
10.1177/030631200030002002
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发表时间：
2000-04-01
影响因子：
3
通讯作者：
Mol, A
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
de Laet, M;Mol, A
在本文中，我们调查了一个令人钦佩的抽水设备的复杂性-津巴布韦布什泵“B”型-以便找出是什么使它成为一个“适当的技术”。这就是我们所说的泵的“流动性”（它的边界，或它的工作秩序，以及它的制造者）。我们发现，在前往难以驾驭的地方时，一个没有太严格限制的物体，一个不强加自己但试图服务的物体，一个适应性强、灵活和反应灵敏的物体--简而言之，一个流动的物体--很可能被证明比一个坚固的物体更强大。通过分析这种设备的成功和失败，它的机构和它在津巴布韦的社会技术景观中塑造新的配置的方式，我们参与了科学和技术研究的当前举措，以改变它意味着什么是一个演员。通过调动“爱”这个词来阐明我们与布什泵的关系，我们试图为塑造“做”规范性的新方式做出贡献。
In this paper we investigate the intricacies of an admirable water pumping device - the Zimbabwe Bush Pump 'B' type - so as to find out what makes it an 'appropriate technology'. This turns out to be what we call the 'fluidity' of the pump (of its boundaries, or of its working order, and of its maker). We find that in travelling to intractable places, an object that isn't too rigorously bounded, that doesn't impose itself but tries to serve, that is adaptable, flexible and responsive - in short, a fluid object - may well prove to be stronger than one which is firm. By analyzing the success and failure of this device, its agency and the way in which it shapes new configurations in the Zimbabwean socio-technical landscape, we partake in the current move in science and technology studies to transform what it means to be an actor. And by mobilizing the term love for articulating our relation to the Bush Pump, we try to contribute to shaping novel ways of 'doing' normativity.