Regions, Networks and Fluids: Anaemia and Social Topology

Regions, Networks and Fluids: Anaemia and Social Topology

Vol. 24, No. 4 (Nov., 1994), 641-671 | Annemarie Mol; John Law
This paper explores the topological presuppositions that frame the performance of social similarity and difference, arguing that 'the social' does not exist as a single spatial type but rather performs itself in a recursive and topologically heterogeneous manner. Using the example of tropical doctors handling anemia, the authors examine three different social topologies: regions, networks, and fluids. Regions are characterized by clustered objects and drawn boundaries, networks by distance and relational variety, and fluids by continuous and transformable spaces where boundaries and relations are fluid. The paper discusses the limitations of these topologies and introduces the concept of fluid spatiality, where places are neither delineated by boundaries nor linked through stable relations. The authors argue that in fluid spaces, entities can be similar and dissimilar at different locations, and they can transform without creating sharp differences. The paper concludes by suggesting that a fluid topology allows for invariant transformation and emphasizes the importance of topological multiplicity over uniformity.This paper explores the topological presuppositions that frame the performance of social similarity and difference, arguing that 'the social' does not exist as a single spatial type but rather performs itself in a recursive and topologically heterogeneous manner. Using the example of tropical doctors handling anemia, the authors examine three different social topologies: regions, networks, and fluids. Regions are characterized by clustered objects and drawn boundaries, networks by distance and relational variety, and fluids by continuous and transformable spaces where boundaries and relations are fluid. The paper discusses the limitations of these topologies and introduces the concept of fluid spatiality, where places are neither delineated by boundaries nor linked through stable relations. The authors argue that in fluid spaces, entities can be similar and dissimilar at different locations, and they can transform without creating sharp differences. The paper concludes by suggesting that a fluid topology allows for invariant transformation and emphasizes the importance of topological multiplicity over uniformity.
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[slides and audio] Regions%2C Networks and Fluids%3A Anaemia and Social Topology