Rites of Production: Technopoles and the Theater of Work

Abstract

Ambiguities in the nature and practice of work, especially knowledge work, moral work ethics and fluidity of work space drive a need to communicate productivity to other workers. The knowledge work done in silicon places is often intangible and requires some creative narrative accounting to demonstrate competence, trustworthiness, and value to the community at large. This hidden work is imbedded in worker activities and communications, corporate evangelism and community boosterism. Ethnographic research done in Silicon Valley, Taipei, Taiwan, Dublin, Ireland and Christchurch, New Zealand explores how such performances are an integral part of high-tech work and the communities that house such work.