The Natural Contract

The Implications of Technical Language in Defining, Assessing, and Managing Risk

“…Such analysis can help lead us toward visions of environmental democracy as proposed by Latour (2004) and Serres (1995).…”

Vitality: Carnal, Seraphic Bodies

“…A hundred spaces beyond the law let you do, say, or get through as you wish." 51 Soft realities compromise, forgive mistakes, and in general cushion the slings and arrows of fate; hard reality, however, punishes miscalculations and mistakes. When dealing with hard reality, we must remember that "minor causes" can have "great effects": "beyond the port: shipwreck for the smallest error; once past the mountain hut: at the slightest mistake you will fall."…”

“…When dealing with hard reality, we must remember that "minor causes" can have "great effects": "beyond the port: shipwreck for the smallest error; once past the mountain hut: at the slightest mistake you will fall." 52 As a consequence, "you begin to live another way." 53 And lest one be put off by the tendency to illustrate the consequences of hard reality with stereotypically "rugged" activities, Serres suggests that other examples conform to a similar rule: "higher mathematics, fine arts, high virtuosity, high-level mysticism, all correspond in every way to high mountains or the high seas, worlds where the cords [binding us to hard reality, to others, or both] remain taut."…”

“…52 As a consequence, "you begin to live another way." 53 And lest one be put off by the tendency to illustrate the consequences of hard reality with stereotypically "rugged" activities, Serres suggests that other examples conform to a similar rule: "higher mathematics, fine arts, high virtuosity, high-level mysticism, all correspond in every way to high mountains or the high seas, worlds where the cords [binding us to hard reality, to others, or both] remain taut." 54 This "correspondence" seems to be a consequence of the fact that such endeavors require the agent to conform or otherwise show deference to the inflexible aspects of reality, including certain inescapable consequences of failure.…”

Exploring Serres' Atlas, Hodges' Knowledge Domains and the Fusion of Informatics and Cultural Horizons

“…Consequently, Serres is accused of being a dabbler, an isolated thinker (Dale and Adamson, 1998-99). His thought can be challenging (personally and academically) when for example cultural similarities are drawn between the space shuttle Challenger accident and human sacrifice within Carthaginian worship of Baal (Serres, 1995b). A highly emotive view, the impact is reinforced by the 2003 Columbia disaster.…”