What is a Rhizome? | Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari | Keyword

Understanding the Concept of Rhizome

The podcast episode delves into the concept of rhizome, which is a term used in botany to describe a horizontal stem system that moves through soil. Unlike traditional root systems, a rhizome is not bound to a specific plant or tree and is capable of making connections and forming new connections with other rhizomatic structures. The rhizome is characterized by its heterogeneity and multiplicity, embracing different intensities and magnitudes. It cannot be resolved into a singular point and its trajectory is only mappable, not traceable. Furthermore, the rhizome is transferable, implying that its properties are not restricted to specific instances. The contrast between rhizome and the arborescent tree is highlighted, with the former representing openness to possibilities and multiple identities, while the latter signifies a singular, centralized point.