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This shift in engagement patterns is exemplified by the
nuclear issue, as shown by Topçu. The engagement of
academics in the 1970s on this topic shifted from
independent scientific opinion to post-Chernobyl engagement
in which scientists no longer had the monopoly over the
debate. Organizations such as ACRO
3
and CRIIRAD
4
were
created, which illustrates the rise of civil society in
independent scientific opinion, and the opening of scientific
information to the wider public. Moreover, the debate shifted
from clear opposition to any nuclear development, to
improving both control over nuclear energy [TOP 06, p.254]
and transparency on the part of public authorities.
The shift in the patterns of engagement and the opening
up of the debate to citizens is found in the public that
mobilized to make radiation maps following Fukushima.
These resulted from the commitment of a non-scientific
public whose computer science and information design skills
were used to take part in the controversy, so as to make
radiation data accessible to a wider audience.
8.1.3.
Accounting for the materiality of objects
Due to the material properties of online digital objects,
maps foment and shape the type of engagement adopted in
the controversy. Noortje Marres illustrates this with the
example of “green living experiments” [MAR 09], such as
introducing smart electric meter readers in homes. These
provide a particular socio-material pattern of engagement.
First, smart meter readers inform by providing a
visualization of energy consumption. Second, they constitute
3 Association pour le contrôle de la radioactivité dans l'ouest (Association
for the control of radio activity in the West).
4 Commission de recherche et d'information indépendantes sur la
radioactivité (Commission for independent research and information on
radioactivity.
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