Object-Oriented Ontology is a philosophical framework that posits that all objects, whether living or non-living, possess their own intrinsic existence and agency. In the context of colonialism, this means that not only humans but also the landscapes, resources, and cultural artifacts of colonized regions have their own independent being and significance.
Plasticity, as a metaphor, embodies the malleability and adaptability of objects and their transformative capacities. In the context of colonialism, this concept illuminates how colonial powers sought to mold and reshape the environments, cultures, and societies of colonized regions to fit their own ideologies and desires. This plasticity extends to the very landscape itself, which was often altered and exploited for resource extraction and territorial expansion.
Landfills, as repositories of waste and discarded objects, become symbolic of the colonial legacy. They serve as physical evidence of the extractive and exploitative practices of colonial powers, leaving behind a trail of discarded remnants that speak to the environmental and cultural consequences of colonialism. Landfills represent the accumulation of discarded objects and waste, reflecting the disposability and disregard for the environment and Indigenous cultures that were prevalent during the colonial era.
Through the lens of OOO, colonialism can be understood as a network of relations between diverse entities, not just between colonizers and colonized, but also between the landscapes, resources, and cultural artifacts that were both exploited and transformed. The colonized landscapes themselves became objects of desire and control, subject to manipulation and exploitation by colonial powers.