Questioning modernity’s humanism, rhetorical theory has increasingly sought to describe the rhetorical force of the material. Central to this movement has been Bruno Latour’s Actor-Network Theory (ANT). While Latour’s theory is useful, his general aversion to rhetoric prevents ANT from fully explaining processes of translation or the politics of networks. This essay mobilizes Bernard Stiegler’s theorization of individuation and technics as a necessary corrective to ANT. Their hybridization facilitates a theory of rhetoric as the architechnical organizer of networks. I develop this position by analyzing Facebook’s mobilization of the slogan “time well spent” after revelations about their problematic role in the 2016 US presidential elections. This case demonstrates how rhetoric translates memory to build networks, reshaping the subjectivity and politics of involved—and excluded—actants. Such an approach overcomes the rhetorical shortcomings of ANT and Stiegler while refiguring discussions regarding systems of individuation, rhetorical subjectivity, and power in networked relation.

中文翻译：

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跨个体节点：作为网络架构组织者的修辞

质疑现代性的人文主义，修辞理论越来越多地试图描述材料的修辞力量。这一运动的核心是布鲁诺·拉图尔 (Bruno Latour) 的行动者网络理论 (ANT)。虽然拉图尔的理论很有用，但他对修辞的普遍反感使 ANT 无法充分解释翻译过程或网络政治。本文将伯纳德·斯蒂格勒 (Bernard Stiegler) 的个性化和技术理论作为对 ANT 的必要纠正。它们的混合促进了作为网络架构组织者的修辞理论。我通过分析 Facebook 在 2016 年美国总统选举中所扮演的有问题的角色后，对“时间用得好”的口号进行了动员，从而形成了这一立场。这个案例展示了修辞如何将记忆转化为构建网络，重塑参与和被排除在外的行动者的主观性和政治。这种方法克服了 ANT 和斯蒂格勒的修辞缺陷，同时重新塑造了关于个性化系统、修辞主体性和网络关系中的权力的讨论。