Actor Quote by Bruno Latour
““Alas, the historical name is ‘actor-network-theory’, a name that is so awkward, so confusing, so meaningless that it deserves to be kept.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Science in Action, Bruno Latour, 1987
The term “actor‑network‑theory” is clumsy and obscure, making the concept hard to grasp and communicate.
In simple terms: Awkward name hinders understanding.
Key Takeaway
Simplify terminology for clarity.
Themes
communication
theory
clarity
Mood
frustrated
critical
Type
analytical
reflective
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- teaching
- public presentations
- interdisciplinary collaboration
Key Concepts
sociology
network analysis
terminology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we retain nuance while making terms accessible?
- What alternative names could convey the same meaning?
A Different Perspective
Complex ideas may be oversimplified if the name is changed.
