The translation by Design of Actor network theory

Especially actor network theory and the work of Bruno Latour seems to address design oriented researchers and for good reasons. Latours concept of Ding-politik and notion of the designer as a cautious Promethea have been welcomed by designers. (Latour 2005) (Ehn, 2008). Although convergences between fields and traditions are often considered a ‘good’ thing, I will, however stress that ‘inclusive strategies and attempts’ also comes with a price. In this case, as in many others, the price is translations that might lead to dissolutions of important differences and thereby a potential ‘flattening’ and ‘homogenization’ of concepts and ideas.