1. Assemblages Define Function
- Weapons and tools exist within a shared technical sphere, but their function is determined by the assemblage they are part of. For example:
- Weapons: A sword becomes a weapon within a war machine assemblage, where its purpose is destruction, counterattack, and projection of force.
- Tools: The same sword could serve as a ceremonial object or crafting tool in a different assemblage, emphasizing equilibrium or ornamentation.
2. Examples of Assemblage-Defined Objects
- Hoplite Weapons: The two-handled shield and spear were specific to the phalanx assemblage, where their function was tied to organized combat and collective movement. Outside this assemblage, these objects lose their military significance.
- Heavy Plow: The heavy plow became a tool only within agricultural assemblages that included communal economies, crop rotation, and the use of horses. Without these elements, the plow would not serve its intended purpose.
3. Conversion Between Weapons and Tools
- Assemblages allow for the convertibility of weapons and tools. The same object can shift between roles depending on the assemblage:
- Hussite Wars: Peasants converted oxcarts (tools of agriculture) into mobile fortresses (weapons of war) by integrating them into a war machine assemblage.
- Martial Arts: Weapons like swords are "unused" in martial arts assemblages, subordinated to speed and mental discipline, transforming them into tools for personal mastery.
4. Assemblages and Movement
- Assemblages also define the relationship between objects and movement:
- Weapons: In war machine assemblages, weapons are tied to speed, projection, and free action. For example, the stirrup and saber emerged from nomadic assemblages emphasizing mobility.
- Tools: In work machine assemblages, tools are tied to gravity, equilibrium, and overcoming resistance. For instance, the heavy plow is designed for slow, methodical work in agricultural contexts.
5. Social and Economic Context
- Assemblages are shaped by broader social and economic systems:
- Weapons: Nomadic war machines create assemblages that prioritize mobility, solidarity, and externality to state structures.
- Tools: Agricultural and industrial assemblages emphasize stability, production, and hierarchical organization.
6. Ornamentation and Expression
- Assemblages also influence the aesthetic and expressive aspects of objects:
- Weapons: In nomadic assemblages, weapons are often linked to ornamentation and jewelry, emphasizing mobility and affects.
- Tools: In work assemblages, tools are tied to signs and writing, emphasizing organization and stability.
Conclusion
Assemblages are the key to understanding the distinction between weapons and tools. They determine the purpose, movement, and social role of objects, allowing them to shift between functions depending on the context. This dynamic interplay highlights the adaptability of technical objects and their integration into broader systems of human activity.
