I came across a surprising reference to the Rhizome last night in my Qualitative Research text. The author is describing someone’s Four Frames of Validation for research:
The third, “rhizomatic” validation, pertains to the questioning proliferations, crossings, and overlaps without underlying structures or deeply rooted connections. The researcher also questions taxonomies, constructs, and interconnected networks whereby the reader jumps from one assemblage to another and consequently moves from judgement to understanding.
I can’t say that I fully understand this description. I do think it shows the focus on potential over actual that all things rhizomatic share. I also wonder if it allows for underlying structure or deeply rooted connections to emerge and develop, or not?
