“The Little Plants are Drying Up” (Extractivisms, Discourses and Knowledge in the Anthropocene)

Abstract

This article intends to continue previous publications that investigated the issue of lithium exploitation in Argentina. On this occasion, there is a reflection on the discourses surrounding the issue, as well as on the knowledge that underlies them. At first, it establishes a relationship between the Anthropocene, capital development, and extractivism. Later, it focuses on the issue of lithium, the discourses and knowledge pronounced on the exploitation of it, far from the territories. Finally, this vision is contrasted with the discourses and knowledge rooted in the territories that are appealed to by the communities. The proposal, as a conclusion, is that taking into serious and profound consideration the knowledge of the territory is an essential task to face the Anthropocene, and the serious problems associated with this era.