Anthropologists Are Talking – About Capitalism, Ecology, and Apocalypse with Bruno Latour, Isabelle Stengers, Anna Tsing & Nils Bubandt

Posted: April 11, 2018

The following conversation, recorded in June 2016, addresses these issues. The recorded interview was transcribed by Mathilde Højrup and edited by Ethnos editor Nils Bubandt before approval by the three participants:
Nils
I think this is the first time that the three of you are in a room together, is that right?
Anna
Each of us have met, but not at the same time ...
Nils
In that case, this is a historical event! As well as a marvellous opportunity to probe into some of the things you have in common, including the endeavour to study a world where humans and nonhumans both figure. You do so in ways that very much overlap but which also are full of productive tension or friction. For lack of a better cover term I am referring to the common ground of your projects by the three- headed dragon of ‘capitalism’, ‘ecology’, and ‘apocalypse’. You may end up slaying this dragon, of course, but I trust it can nevertheless help structure the conversation. I was hoping we could address the following three broad themes or questions in our conversation: What is capitalism? Is the study of ecology an ally? And can apocalypse be a useful trope?
Bruno
How much time do we have?
Nils
We have an hour or so ...
Bruno
In an hour we have to do all of that? [Laughter]