Aarhus Universitets segl

What might ants tell us humans about sociality and world-making

In the Academic Hour series, Contemporary Ethnography presents: Eben Kirksey (University of New South Wales): “Ontological Amphibians”

Oplysninger om arrangementet

Tidspunkt

Onsdag 3. juni 2015,  kl. 14:15 - 16:00

Sted

Aarhus University, Moesgaard, Building 4206, room 125

Ectatomma ants forage for insects at night under electric lights, glean sugary liquid honeydew from leafhoppers, and communicate with caterpillars in high-pitched stridulatory sounds.  Proliferating within the realm of agricultural and industrial enterprises, these insects had also become tenacious parasites. These ants are constantly moving among multiple elements, never just sticking to one environment. In a phrase, Ectatomma ants have become ontological amphibians.  Literal amphibians can choose among modes of existence—they can live both on earth or in water.  Ontological amphibians never stick to just one world, but always face a decision about what kind of ontology to inhabit.  Tracing actions oriented to the care of beings and things, often across species lines, this chapter considers how Ectatomma ants enlist others in the production of common worlds, and how they escape.  These ants have fleeting whims, sentiments about the distribution of surplus that are beyond rational calculus.