The Care of Things by Jerome Denis
What does a coffee machine, a car, road signs, a smartphone, a cathedral, a work of art, a satellite, a bicycle, a washing machine, a bridge, a watch, a computer, the body of a prominent politician and a tractor have in common? Pretty much nothing – except for the fact that, no matter how small, large, important or insignificant something is, it rarely survives without being cared for. Every object eventually experiences wear and tear, it deteriorates, stops working or breaks down. But are we giving the care of things the recognition it deserves? A counterpoint to our modern obsession with innovation but less striking than the one-off act of restoration, the delicate act of making things last rarely attracts our attention. This book disrupts our dominant narratives by putting those individuals skilled in the art of maintenance front and centre. Jérôme Denis and David Pontille shine a spotlight on the subtle aspects of caring for things, tracing the stories of those involved and, with them, the ethical challenges raised and political lessons learned. These people demonstrate a sensitivity and attentiveness to fragility; they encourage us to cultivate a material diplomacy in which wear is accepted and our relation to things becomes a matter of negotiation and compromise – a far cry from the frenetic rhythm of planned obsolescence inherent in hyper-consumerism. Maintenance demarcates the contours of a world in which we have relinquished the human longing for unlimited power and technological autonomy, a world where our attachment to things is more profound than we ever imagined.
“For years, the dynamic duo of Denis and Pontille have been producing some of the best work on maintenance and repair out there (full stop)This new translation is a landmark contribution, and one we’ll be reading and learning from for years to come.”
Steven J. Jackson, Professor of Information Science and Science and Technology Studies, Cornell University
Steven J. Jackson, Professor of Information Science and Science and Technology Studies, Cornell University
Jérôme Denis is Professor of Sociology at Mines Paris-PSL.
David Pontille is Director of Research at CNRS.
David Pontille is Director of Research at CNRS.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781509562381 |
| ISBN 10 | 1509562389 |
| Title | The Care of Things |
| Author | Jerome Denis |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Publisher | John Wiley and Sons Ltd |
| Year published | 2025-02-07 |
| Number of pages | 304 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |