Performativity has, however, three virtues. First, when confronted with a theory or model it is natural to ask: is it accurate? Keeping performativity in mind reminds us also to ask: if the model is adopted and used widely, what will its effects be? What will the use of the model do? Second, because performativity often resides not just in "big ideas" but also in apparently small technicalities, the notion reminds us also to pay attention to the latter, and to consider the role they play in the infrastructures of markets: in the material devices, procedures, routines, rules, and design features that make markets what they are. And, finally, the notion of performativity prompts the most important question of all: What sort of a world do we want to see performed?

Donald MacKenzie, An Engine, Not a Camera, loc. 1239