Actor-Network Theory reveals live coding as a network of human and nonhuman actors (code, hardware, venues, communities) whose associations constitute the scene

Chapter 31 applies Latour’s Actor-Network Theory (ANT) to live coding. ANT treats both human and nonhuman entities as ‘actants’ whose associations constitute social phenomena. The live coding scene is analyzed as a network connecting: coders, programming languages, hardware, TOPLAP, venues, labels, academic conferences, and online platforms. No single element is primary; the scene exists only as the set of maintained associations between all actants. This analysis explains why live coding as a practice differs so much in different contexts (academic vs. underground, community vs. commercial) — each context is a different configuration of associations.

Examples

The relationship between TidalCycles (nonhuman), algorave venues (nonhuman), Alex McLean (human), and TOPLAP (organization) constitutes the ‘algorave scene’ as an ANT network. Remove any element and the network changes character.

Assessment

Explain Actor-Network Theory and apply it to one live coding community you know about. Identify at least three human and three nonhuman actants and describe how their associations shape the community’s practices.