Geoffrey C. BowkerRecensioni
Autore di Sorting Things Out: Classification and Its Consequences
6 opere 803 membri 9 recensioni 1 preferito
Recensioni
Sorting Things Out: Classification and Its… di Geoffrey C. Bowker
Segnalato
PhilSroka | 7 altre recensioni | Apr 12, 2016 | It is a great book. Easy to read and the structure is clear.
Segnalato
yuqihe | Dec 28, 2011 | After a spectacular start with a discussion of infrastructure (and particularly classification as infrastructure), its pervasiveness, and its power to shape our lives and perceptions, this book switches tack and moves with little rigor between anecdotes, exceptions, and colorful but superficial terms. The end result is a mish-mash of observations that do little to advance the theoretical arguments further; I had to remind myself of the clarity and power of the first few chapters to realize there is much valuable content in the book.
2
Segnalato
jorgearanda | 7 altre recensioni | Oct 20, 2010 | This book intertwines a history of various classification schemes, taxonomies, and catalogues with an explanation of the human desire to classify and organise. It's a great read, and a fascinating subject.½
Segnalato
Placebogirl | 7 altre recensioni | Jan 11, 2010 | This book lies somewhere in-between the accessible narrative examples of classification in Everything is Miscellaneous and the dense cognitive science in Women, Fire, and Dangerous Things. Sorting Things Out is far more detailed and organized than the former, but much more approachable than the latter.
The book attempts to answer three questions: “What work do classifications and standards do” “Who does that work?”, and “What happens to the cases that do not fit?” The authors answer these questions by exploring how classification relates to infrastructures, to the lives of individuals (“biography” ), and to work. In exploring these aspects of classification, the authors place a heavy emphasis on health and medicine, often using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), the Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC) and the International Classification and Nomenclature of Viruses (INV) as a examples of classification systems, the International Nomenclature of Diseases (IND) as an example of nomenclature, and HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis as examples of shifts in classification. Consequently, this work would best be suited for those researching classification in the health fields, as the information related to the classifications and nomenclature are very subject-specific.
Sorting Things Out does more to evaluate the historical and practical application of classification and categories relating to people (human diseases, apartheid) rather than the things people use (books, journals). In terms of library science, this book adds some good context to real world classification and how categories can be created and applied on a large scale, but offers little for anyone looking for library-specific classification theory or explanation.
The book attempts to answer three questions: “What work do classifications and standards do” “Who does that work?”, and “What happens to the cases that do not fit?” The authors answer these questions by exploring how classification relates to infrastructures, to the lives of individuals (“biography” ), and to work. In exploring these aspects of classification, the authors place a heavy emphasis on health and medicine, often using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), the Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC) and the International Classification and Nomenclature of Viruses (INV) as a examples of classification systems, the International Nomenclature of Diseases (IND) as an example of nomenclature, and HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis as examples of shifts in classification. Consequently, this work would best be suited for those researching classification in the health fields, as the information related to the classifications and nomenclature are very subject-specific.
Sorting Things Out does more to evaluate the historical and practical application of classification and categories relating to people (human diseases, apartheid) rather than the things people use (books, journals). In terms of library science, this book adds some good context to real world classification and how categories can be created and applied on a large scale, but offers little for anyone looking for library-specific classification theory or explanation.
2
Segnalato
sarahdeanjean | 7 altre recensioni | Aug 19, 2009 | Like Lakoff these authors know that classification helps cure chaos.
Segnalato
muir | 7 altre recensioni | Dec 7, 2007 | This book tackles classification theory head on. Though dry and academic, the authors are able to liven up the subject with many examples. They successfully demonstrate the potential political and ethical consequences categories can have.
Segnalato
Pivo1 | 7 altre recensioni | Mar 26, 2007 | I read this book from the perspective of a library student, which will differ from those reading it for its sociological issues. As a library student, I found little of use in this book. Combined with convoluted language, it left me with a poor impression of the book overall. Having said that, I believe that the authors have some very important things to say about the moral and practical implications of classification. Also, the chapter on race classification in South Africa under Apartheid was fascinating. The book is worth it for that chapter alone.
2
Segnalato
librarymeg | 7 altre recensioni | Nov 5, 2006 | Questo sito utilizza i cookies per fornire i nostri servizi, per migliorare le prestazioni, per analisi, e (per gli utenti che accedono senza fare login) per la pubblicità. Usando LibraryThing confermi di aver letto e capito le nostre condizioni di servizio e la politica sulla privacy. Il tuo uso del sito e dei servizi è soggetto a tali politiche e condizioni.