Intensifying embroilments: Technosciences, imaginaries and publics. (February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pellizzoni, Luigi
• Is Part Of: Public understanding of science. Volume 26:Number 2(2017)
• Page Start: 212
• Page End: 219
• Publication Date: 2017-02
• Subjects: Dewey -- Foucault and intensification -- future -- governance of science and technology -- indeterminacy -- material turn -- public participation -- technoscientific imaginaries; Science news -- Periodicals; Science -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 303.483
• DOI: 10.1177/0963662516663563
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-6625

Abstract

A common thread in the contributions to this special issue can be found in the Foucauldian notion of intensification. Technoscientific imaginaries and publics have long been embroiled; yet, elements of novelty in their relationship can be detected in the ambivalence of the overcoming of traditional purification work; the expanding production of 'prototypical' truths; the uncertain threshold between publics of enquirers, witnesses and lookouts; and the growing indistinction of the everyday and the sublime, of trivial and non-trivial futures. The intensification of old patterns and recent trends determines a critical moment in a literal sense of the word: novel potentialities for a democratic governance of technosciences are opening up, but novel dominative opportunities are disclosing as well.