Bacteria - Corn
The Question of Relationality
The current human dominant narrative completely overlooks the temporal relationship between agents such as Corn and Microbes.
However, they share a complex network of relations and a history which has significantly impacted the lives of humans. So why is it overlooked?
Anthropocentric thought has dominated the understanding of what is significant life based on the belief that Humans are the most important and exceptional entity in the universe. Thus the narratives of corn and microbes are deemed to be irrelevant.
Taking a post-anthropocentric and post-humanist approach there is a concern with matter and life beyond the anthropogenic perspectives.
Addressing plants and microbial life as an agency holding entity. Engaging with these agencies is thus "about recognizing and integrating the relational forces that continuously effect change within the world's configuration" (Alain, 8)
"It is a chance to identify opportunities for resistance and empowerment on a planetary scale" ~ Braidotti, The Posthuman, p 195
The Corn - Microbe Relationship
The relationship and history of the Corn and Microbe is a complementary, co-operative and beneficial relationship.
On the one hand, as Microbes break down dead plants and animals, they slowly release nitrogen and phosphorus and other elements. Plants rely on these scarce nutrients provided by the microbes to grow.
On the other hand, Plants signal microbes that they need these nutrients by releasing sugars from their roots, that microbes use as energy.
The relationship between these is also specific, where certain plants attract specific microbes to their rhizosphere by sending out distinct signals and sugars from their roots.
The Corn - Microbe History
As Corn evolved from Teosinte, at the hands of the humans, their rhizosphere relationships changed. Teosinte grew in a challenging environment where nutrients were scarce and thus, the Teosinte relied on many microbes.
In comparison, due to the evolutionary changes, modern corn has a less active relationship with microbes. However, a core group of microbes remains over time and generations as it has become clear that corn plants can pass on some of its microbes to the next generation through seeds.
Alternative Histories
Through this investigation, we are confronted with the infinite possibilities for the concept of temporality that are not just centred on the Human timeline. It is important to recognize that humans and other agencies are running on different time paradigms.For instance, for humans, time is continuous, flowing unidirectionally from birth to death
But for the corn and microbes, their time is cyclical and flexible as microbes are passed down intergenerationally.
Another example could be Machine-Time, where time is not continuous, stoppable and malleable. For instance, as machines breakdown and are fixed.
This page has paths:
- The Human-Microbe Relational and Temporal Visualization Charlotte Freydefont
- Alternative Temporalities Charlotte Freydefont
