Tuesday 27 April 2021 at 6pm - 7pm
Decolonial Group - Reading Group - Combustion and Society: A Fire-Centred History of Energy Use
via Zoom (details below!)
A member-lead discussion of the 'coloniality' of the use of combustion vs. wild fire in modern history.
ALL WELCOME
Clark N, Yusoff K. Combustion and Society: A Fire-Centred History of Energy Use. Theory, Culture & Society. 2014;31(5):203-226. (23 pages total reading)
Abstract
Fire is a force that links everyday human activities to some of the most powerful energetic movements of the Earth. Drawing together the energy-centred social theory of Georges Bataille, the fire-centred environmental history of Stephen Pyne, and the work of a number of ‘pyrotechnology’ scholars, the paper proposes that the generalized study of combustion is a key to contextualizing human energetic practices within a broader ‘economy’ of terrestrial and cosmic energy flows. We examine the relatively recent turn towards fossil-fuelled ‘internal combustion’ in the light of a much longer human history of ‘broadcast’ burning of vegetation and of artisanal pyrotechnologies – the use of heat to transform diverse materials. A combustion-centred analysis, it is argued, brings human collective life into closer contact with the geochemical and geologic conditions of earthly existence, while also pointing to the significance of explorative, experimental and even playful dispositions towards energy and matter.
Zoom Details
Access to Text
Access through your institution here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0263276414536929
Or email Ellan directly for a copy: ellan.lincoln.hyde@gmail.com
What is the Decolonial Group?
The Decolonial Group at Goodenough College is a space for Members to explore the impact of coloniality and the implication of decolonial practice across the arts and sciences. All members are welcome to suggest future texts, films and speakers for this Group, and all our meetings are open to the community to contibute to and lead projects through.