The relationship between artisans, merchants, and prospectors is deeply interconnected, shaped by their roles in following flows of matter and their dependence on one another within broader societal and economic systems.
1. Artisans as Itinerants
- Definition: Artisans are defined as those who follow the flow of matter, embodying pure productivity. They are itinerants, moving to where the matter-flow leads them, such as metallurgists who work with subsoil materials like metal.
- Dependence on Prospectors: Artisans are incomplete without prospectors, who locate and extract raw materials. The separation of artisans from prospectors diminishes their autonomy, transforming them into "workers" within a segmented system.
- Dependence on Merchants: Artisans rely on merchants to transport materials and products, enabling them to avoid making the journey themselves. Merchants reverse the flow by bringing materials to artisans and distributing their finished goods.
2. Prospectors as Flow Initiators
- Role: Prospectors are the first link in the chain, identifying and extracting raw materials from the earth. They initiate the flow of matter that artisans follow.
- Connection to Merchants: Prospectors depend on merchants to transport extracted materials to artisans or markets. This creates a chain of movement that links the subsoil to production and commerce.
3. Merchants as Mediators
- Role: Merchants mediate between prospectors and artisans, facilitating the movement of materials and goods. They follow a circuit rather than a flow, moving between points of departure and arrival (e.g., import-export, buy-sell).
- Dependence on Artisans and Prospectors: Merchants rely on prospectors for raw materials and artisans for finished goods to trade. Their role is essential for connecting production to consumption.
4. Interdependence and Fragmentation
- Interdependence: The three groups form a chain of productivity, with each relying on the others to complete the cycle of extraction, production, and distribution.
- Fragmentation: The separation of these roles into distinct groups (prospectors, merchants, artisans) fragments the flow of matter and diminishes the holistic nature of artisanship. This segmentation aligns with the organization of labor under state or imperial systems.
5. Metallurgy as a Case Study
- Artisans-Metallurgists: Metallurgists are the first specialized artisans, forming collective bodies like guilds and secret societies. They depend on prospectors for metal and on merchants for charcoal and transportation.
- Nomadic and Sedentary Relations: Metallurgists interact with nomads and sedentary communities, bridging smooth spaces (nomadic) and striated spaces (sedentary). Mines, as sources of flow, connect these groups through shared interests in extraction and trade.
6. Broader Implications
- Economic Systems: The relationship between artisans, merchants, and prospectors reflects broader economic systems, where specialization and segmentation create interdependence but also limit autonomy.
- Deterritorialization: Metallurgy exemplifies the deterritorialized nature of matter-flow, connecting diverse groups and spaces through the movement of materials.
Conclusion
The relationship between artisans, merchants, and prospectors is one of mutual dependence, shaped by the flow of matter and the segmentation of roles. While artisans embody pure productivity, their reliance on prospectors and merchants highlights the interconnected nature of production and commerce. This dynamic also reflects broader societal structures, where specialization and segmentation influence the autonomy and roles of different groups.
