My Computer At Work

The computer I’m using at my new work only has 256MB RAM. It runs Windows XP Pro but only has IE6 installed as web browser. No Firefox, no nothing, and obviously I don’t have admin rights (though I asked for them on my first day  ).

It’s really difficult working with a machine like that – like working with someone who is slow and ineffective. My PhD methodology and theory centred on the philosophy of Actor-Network Theory, basically arguing that, rather than being two separate entities, human and machines form part of one agent-network. Machines e.g. computers can act through prescription – i.e. they prescribe what I can and can’t do. Agency is defined as the ability to cause effects, and is not essential but iterated.

Anyway, my latest machinic encounter at work just proves the point. To establish a good actor-network, the machine needs to be good. By that I mean it needs to be subordinated to me and my fast mind and fingers. It’s the same with people. One guy at my work speaks very slowly and it drives me insane!