Discovering Maintenance in the Field

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Rethinking Everyday Care with Jérome Denis and David Pontille

In this episode of Love and Philosophy, host Andrea explores the often overlooked but essential realm of maintenance and care, diving into its philosophical, social, and political dimensions. Joined by guests Jérome Denis and David Pontille, accomplished scholars from France, the discussion delves into how maintenance connects with the theories of care, the work of influential figures like Bruno Latour, and the interdisciplinary field of Science and Technology Studies (STS). They unpack the intricate relationship between humans and objects, examining concepts like fragility, multisensory engagement, and the distinction between maintenance and repair. Highlighting the everyday labor involved in maintaining objects and environments—from subway signs to classic cars—the conversation underscores the need to recognize and value the unseen work that sustains our daily lives. The episode draws on rich examples, including the upkeep of the Paris Metro and the care of classic Mustangs, to illustrate the profound impact of maintenance on our understanding of relationships, both material and social.

The book is available in English and French from all major booksellers:
The Care of Things: Ethics and Politics of Maintenance

00:00 Introduction to Maintenance and Care
00:30 Welcome to Love and Philosophy
00:56 Exploring Science and Technology Studies (STS)
01:40 Bruno Latour and Actor-Network Theory
03:45 The Care of Things: Introducing the Guests
04:43 The Paris Metro Signage Study
05:08 The Philosophy of Maintenance
06:09 The Role of Maintenance Workers
07:34 Fragility and the Importance of Care
11:08 Multisensory Engagement in Maintenance
12:56 The Mundane Expertise of Maintenance
42:19 The Drama of Maintenance
42:50 Maintenance vs. Repair: A Philosophical Dive
44:08 The Heroism in Repair
46:59 John Oliver's Take on Infrastructure
49:10 Classic Mustang Maintenance
54:17 The Ambiguities of Maintenance
57:17 Care as Work: A Feminist Perspective
59:28 The Cost of Maintenance
59:58 The Myth of Autonomy in Technology
01:03:25 Personal Reflections on Maintenance
01:20:16 The Role of Love in Maintenance

John Oliver Infrastructure Clip

Jérome Denis is Director of the Centre de sociologie de l'innovation at Mines Paris-PSL.

David Pontille is Director of Research at Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) in Paris.

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