Reading :: Sorting Things Out

Sorting Things Out: Classification and its Consequences
By Geoffrey C. Barker and Susan Leigh Star

I was surprised to discover that although I once referenced this book on my blog, I never reviewed it. It came out in 2000 and I started reviewing books in 2003, so I must have originally read it shortly after it came out.

The book is (obviously) about classification: What it is, why we do it, what's involved. It begins with a definition of classification: "a spatial, temporal, or spatio-temporal segmentation of the world" (p.10, their emphasis). In a classification system,

1. "There are consistent, unique classificatory principles in operation"
2. "The categories are mutually exclusive"
3. "The system is complete" (pp.10-11)

Yet "no real-world classification system that we have looked at meets these simple requirements" (p.11). They pragmatically broaden the definition to things that are treated like classification systems — of which there are many — and they examine these as a central part of modern life. 

One interesting note toward the end of Chapter 1 is that actor-network theory drew attention to the importance of the development of standards, but not to classification systems. If we follow the actors, we don't get to see what was excluded (p.48). Specifically, the authors later argue, that includes infrastructure (p.266).

In subsequent chapters, the authors explore classification through various cases, including tuberculosis, race classifications in South Africa, and nursing. Through this work, they develop claims about classification, but also infrastructure. It's a densely argued book to which this short review can't do justice.

Should you pick it up? Yes -- if you're interested in classification, infrastructure, or just how the modern world works, it's important and compelling reading.