What Holds Us Together?
A short reflection
Sometimes a single sentence can capture a profound truth about society. Bruno Latour offers us such a moment in "Powers of Association" when he writes:
"Society is not what holds us together, it is what is held together."
At first glance, this might seem like mere wordplay. But sit with it for a moment. We often think of society as some mysterious force that binds us - like gravity holding planets in orbit. Latour suggests we've got it backwards. Society isn't the glue - it's what's being glued. It's not the active force binding us together, but rather the result of countless active efforts to maintain connections and relationships.
This insight feels particularly relevant for those of us working in welfare services. The systems and structures we work within aren't self-sustaining forces that automatically keep society functioning. Rather, they require constant maintenance, negotiation, and renewal through our daily actions and choices.
Also check out my blog - A Journey - through this topic!
What do you think? How do you experience this "holding together" in your professional practice?
Reference: Latour, B. (1986). The powers of association. In J. Law (Ed.), Power, Action and Belief: A New Sociology of Knowledge? (pp. 264-280). Routledge & Kegan Paul.