Performativity of databases on the example of “Invisible city” visual database
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How to Cite

Krajewski , M. (2013). Performativity of databases on the example of “Invisible city” visual database. Człowiek I Społeczeństwo, 36(2), 303–314. https://doi.org/10.14746/cis.2013.36.2.9

Abstract

Databases are a form of social performance. This means that their creation is, as Jon McKenzie says,
a challenge to the social order – an attempt to stop the changes or to run them. Databases are constructed
mainly in order to cognitively and technically control a fragment of reality, to increase the
effectiveness of our actions. Thus, although the database seems to be something sedate, dead set of
information, its essence lies in the startup of human action, and thus on the transformation of the
existing order. This starts with the collection of information and their transformation into the data,
with correlation them with each other, seeking within them patterns and trends and in the end,
using knowledge for transformation of reality. At each stage of constructing the database we encounter
so performance – action that expresses a claim to change reality and that results in starting
the activity of individuals, stimulation of various forces. This look at the database promotes their
defetishisation as hard reference point for our activity – they are at every stage the effect of overlapping
of performative actions.

https://doi.org/10.14746/cis.2013.36.2.9
PDF (Język Polski)