De-signing the object of sociology: toward an 'idiotic' methodology.

Michael, Mike. 2012. De-signing the object of sociology: toward an 'idiotic' methodology. The Sociological Review, 60(S1), pp. 166-183. ISSN 0038-0261 [Article]

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Mike Michael - Idiotic Methodology - Sociological Review - FINAL3 with Abstract.doc - Accepted Version

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Abstract or Description

This paper outlines a version of ‘Live Sociology’ that enacts and engages with the openness and processuality of events. This is initially explored through a focus on everyday objects that, in their relationality, ‘misbehave’, potentially challenging standard sociological framings. Drawing on the work of Isabelle Stengers, it is suggested that such objects can be understood as ‘idiotic’ - possessed of an incommensurability that enables social scientists to ‘slow down’ and reflect upon ‘what is busily being done’ (not least by the social scientists themselves). This responsiveness to the idiot object is then contrasted to the proactive idiocy of Speculative Design. Here, artefacts - probes and prototypes – are designed to have oblique and ambiguous functions that allow both their users and designers to open up what is at stake in particular events. Examples taken from past and current research are used to illustrate how speculative designs can open up what ‘the neighbourhood’ and ‘energy demand reduction’ can be. The paper ends with a discussion of a possible ‘idiotic methodology’ and its implications for the conceptual and practical doings of social scientific research.

Item Type:

Article

Departments, Centres and Research Units:

Sociology

Dates:

DateEvent
2012Published

Item ID:

8415

Date Deposited:

14 Jun 2013 07:11

Last Modified:

07 Jul 2017 11:12

Peer Reviewed:

Yes, this version has been peer-reviewed.

URI:

https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/8415

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