hello, I am Joseph. I am going to present the topic, resistance, on Thursday. Here is my presentation agenda.
1. Summarize one core reading
2. Discussion on "culture jamming"
3. Culture jamming products in Hong Kong
4. Discussion
5. Conclusion
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Kimi's Critical Annotated Webliography
1. Biro, Matthew (2009) Dada Cyborg : Visions of the New Human in Weimar Berlin. United States: University of Minnesota Press. http://site.ebrary.com.eproxy1.lib.hku.hk/lib/hkulibrary/docDetail.action?docID=10370380 ( accessed 10 March 2011)
The idea of ‘cyborg’ is a theory of immortality that roots as a cultural theory after World War II, according to Matthew Biro in his publishing, Dada Cyborg: Visions of the New Human in Weimar Berlin. Dadaism is a cultural movement that began in Zurich, Germany, during World War I and peaked from 1916 to 1922[1]. The theory encompassed a wide range of post-war politics expressed in forms of art, literature and other manifestations. The concept of cyborg happens to be one of the many that incorporates cybernetics.
As I have established, the cyborg notion was virtually a product of Dada artists arose from their fear and apprehension of World War I & II during 1916-1934, reflecting their heavenly hopes and immortal fantasy. In this sense, the notion was highly cultural of the old era. Reviewing it nowadays, the modern cyborg theory encompasses a blend of technology, biology and culture. It is a hybrid cultural product entrenched on future technology development and envisages the evolution progress to post-human age which represents the struggle for immortality of today.
2. Kull, Anne (2000) ‘A theology of technonature based on Donna Haraway and Paul Tillich.’ Digital Dissertation Consortium. http://pqdd.sinica.edu.tw.eproxy1.lib.hku.hk/twdaoeng/servlet/advanced?query=9956520 ( accessed 12 March 2011).
In this article Kull Anne states that the theology of techno-nature is a hybrid activity which reviews the relationship between nature and technology established from Donna Haraway’s cyborg doctrine. Haraway claims that the notion of cyborg concentrates mainly on cultural aspects, where nature cannot be fully comprehended with the dispense of culture. Meanwhile, Kull reiterated that the idea is much of a multiple literacy, capable of containing multiple viewpoints and areas such as literacy, technology and communication. Despite that the merger of technicality and natural biology forms the bulk of the discussion, She is intrigued that cyborg is not just about reconfiguring the living within techno-science. Conversely, she believes that it is a notion faithful to the nature and beneficial to both human and non-human.
Enlightened by Anne, human has always been endeavoring to define humanity by distinguishing ourselves from non-livings. However, ironically, human beings simultaneously stretch to trespass beyond that boundary which apparently separates us from the rest. She believes that the representation of this dilemma unmistakably lies within the parameters of the cyborg notion. The theory of techno-science is a matrix composed of life and culture, where cyborg expresses itself as a self-established ‘religion’ just as the Christian or Catholicism. In other words, cyborg is a manifestation of social reality and product of fiction, only that with the incorporation of technology and scientific elements render the notion readily acceptable and apparently rational. The bottom line is that the doctrine is invariably a kind of identity of the present age, where medicine and science progressions soar and shape our world unparalleled by any other times of human civilization.
3. Xiangyu, Wang (2011) Mixed Reality and Human-Robot Interaction. Sydney: Springer.
http://books.google.com.hk/books?id=5MBB4wFcR7YC&printsec=frontcover&dq=robot+human&hl=zh-TW&ei=3pF_Tcz_G42ecbXa_PUG&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CFgQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q&f=false ( accessed 12 March 2011)
Human-robot interaction appears in every segment of life today. The combination of digital contents with real-time physical actions creates a simulated environment that is aimed to augment reality. In Mixed Reality and Human-Robot Interaction, the article provides a wide variety of examples which implement such idea. It iterates that through the process of Human-robot interaction, the happening of mixed reality (between virtual and actual) has been an emerging direction of technology development.
As illustrated by Wang, under the current direction, the popularity of the mixed reality human-robot interaction is gaining unrivalled momentum in the present age. There are examples, ranging from cutting-edge 3D technology employed in digital simulation to hand-held mobile devices using heat-sensitive touch screens. However, despite this ever-increasing acceptance of the human-robot interface by the users, the authenticity of the relationship has inevitably become vague. Since digital manifestations can generate the feeling of physical sensation, the value of virtual reality has been lifted to nearly equal footage with the true world. In other words, the necessity to distinguish between virtual and real has been tampered, or rendered insignificant as long as the utilization of the robotic machine is able to achieve the ultimate objective. Whether or not this direction is distressful, the advancement of technology has doubtlessly brought about a new trend that forms a rupture in human civilization.
4. Kurzweil, Ray (2005) The Singularity is near: When humans transcend biology. New York: Penguin Group.
http://books.google.com.hk/books?id=88U6hdUi6D0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=The+Singularity+Is+Near&source=bl&ots=v-cVhKstOK&sig=slyqLCpqQdNJQHptSIhORXSKDP8&hl=zh-TW&ei=lRZ_Tdopxclx48Pw8QY&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CIMBEOgBMAk#v=onepage&q&f=false ( accessed 14 March 2011)
One of the most profound and sophisticated question ever challenged by biologists, may not remain intact for long, as Ray Kurzweil theorizes the relationship between humans and machines in terms of sublimation through the merger of technological creations and living organisms. In his writing, The Singularity is near: When humans transcend biology, he strikingly persuades that a brand new phase of technologic-biology, the ‘singularity’ stage, is not as impossible to achieve as generally conceived instead it is approaching exponentially.
According to his doctrine, genetics and nanotechnology are both essential components of machine-incorporated living organisms – future human beings. Under the rapid development of technology the human brain is deemed to become a living quantifiable wisdom box, in other words, similar to a super computer processor save it is biological.
Building upon Kurzweil’s theory, in the new era, which he believes is inevitable, the calculation speed of the coming computers will soon surpass the process capacity of any human brain. At this point the thin line between biology and technology will become insignificant due to the medical advancements. Computer chips, imaginably will become part and parcel to us and old, rotten or dis-functioning brain parts will be replaced. The integration is going to bring about advanced living forms and, arguably, wiser intelligence. The traditional distinction between human and machines will become insignificant which the dual will eventually merge and become singular.
5. Grossman, Lev (2011) ‘ 2045 The Year Man Becomes Immortal’. Time Magazine, 21 February 2011, 24-31. http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2048138,00.html ( accessed 16 March 2011)
One of the most bombarding ideas presented by ‘singularitarians’ is that human will be able to create artificial intelligence comparable to the processing capability of our own brain. Lev Grossman in his article, Singularity: 2045 The year Man Becomes Immortal, explains the worldview of the ‘singularitarians’ who believe that machine and human will eventually become one. The notion of cyborg is as real as a cell phone. He cited that under the present progression of technology advancement, by the year 2045, ultra-intelligent machines which exceed the combined brainpower of all human brains will be manufactured. According to Lev, this is more of a pragmatic theory than a fringe science fiction as we conceived when we recall the fact that the laptop we are using is thousand times more powerful than the one 40 years ago used in NASA.
However, a blade has two sides. Realization of cyborg may possibly lead to merits such as immortality but could also result annihilation of humanity. On the upside, we may be able to heal aging, whereas on the downside computers can possibly develop until they are way more intelligent than human. This is because they could have well taken over their own development from our hands at that time. If we are lucky enough, we can scan our consciousness into the computers and live immortally, but virtually. What about the definition of ‘alive’ at that time? The lesson is that taking a long view is always harmless, so long as one bears in mind the consequences of playing god’s role.
[1] de Micheli, Mario(2006). Las vanguardias artísticas del siglo XX. Alianza Forma. p.135-13
The idea of ‘cyborg’ is a theory of immortality that roots as a cultural theory after World War II, according to Matthew Biro in his publishing, Dada Cyborg: Visions of the New Human in Weimar Berlin. Dadaism is a cultural movement that began in Zurich, Germany, during World War I and peaked from 1916 to 1922[1]. The theory encompassed a wide range of post-war politics expressed in forms of art, literature and other manifestations. The concept of cyborg happens to be one of the many that incorporates cybernetics.
As I have established, the cyborg notion was virtually a product of Dada artists arose from their fear and apprehension of World War I & II during 1916-1934, reflecting their heavenly hopes and immortal fantasy. In this sense, the notion was highly cultural of the old era. Reviewing it nowadays, the modern cyborg theory encompasses a blend of technology, biology and culture. It is a hybrid cultural product entrenched on future technology development and envisages the evolution progress to post-human age which represents the struggle for immortality of today.
2. Kull, Anne (2000) ‘A theology of technonature based on Donna Haraway and Paul Tillich.’ Digital Dissertation Consortium. http://pqdd.sinica.edu.tw.eproxy1.lib.hku.hk/twdaoeng/servlet/advanced?query=9956520 ( accessed 12 March 2011).
In this article Kull Anne states that the theology of techno-nature is a hybrid activity which reviews the relationship between nature and technology established from Donna Haraway’s cyborg doctrine. Haraway claims that the notion of cyborg concentrates mainly on cultural aspects, where nature cannot be fully comprehended with the dispense of culture. Meanwhile, Kull reiterated that the idea is much of a multiple literacy, capable of containing multiple viewpoints and areas such as literacy, technology and communication. Despite that the merger of technicality and natural biology forms the bulk of the discussion, She is intrigued that cyborg is not just about reconfiguring the living within techno-science. Conversely, she believes that it is a notion faithful to the nature and beneficial to both human and non-human.
Enlightened by Anne, human has always been endeavoring to define humanity by distinguishing ourselves from non-livings. However, ironically, human beings simultaneously stretch to trespass beyond that boundary which apparently separates us from the rest. She believes that the representation of this dilemma unmistakably lies within the parameters of the cyborg notion. The theory of techno-science is a matrix composed of life and culture, where cyborg expresses itself as a self-established ‘religion’ just as the Christian or Catholicism. In other words, cyborg is a manifestation of social reality and product of fiction, only that with the incorporation of technology and scientific elements render the notion readily acceptable and apparently rational. The bottom line is that the doctrine is invariably a kind of identity of the present age, where medicine and science progressions soar and shape our world unparalleled by any other times of human civilization.
3. Xiangyu, Wang (2011) Mixed Reality and Human-Robot Interaction. Sydney: Springer.
http://books.google.com.hk/books?id=5MBB4wFcR7YC&printsec=frontcover&dq=robot+human&hl=zh-TW&ei=3pF_Tcz_G42ecbXa_PUG&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CFgQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q&f=false ( accessed 12 March 2011)
Human-robot interaction appears in every segment of life today. The combination of digital contents with real-time physical actions creates a simulated environment that is aimed to augment reality. In Mixed Reality and Human-Robot Interaction, the article provides a wide variety of examples which implement such idea. It iterates that through the process of Human-robot interaction, the happening of mixed reality (between virtual and actual) has been an emerging direction of technology development.
As illustrated by Wang, under the current direction, the popularity of the mixed reality human-robot interaction is gaining unrivalled momentum in the present age. There are examples, ranging from cutting-edge 3D technology employed in digital simulation to hand-held mobile devices using heat-sensitive touch screens. However, despite this ever-increasing acceptance of the human-robot interface by the users, the authenticity of the relationship has inevitably become vague. Since digital manifestations can generate the feeling of physical sensation, the value of virtual reality has been lifted to nearly equal footage with the true world. In other words, the necessity to distinguish between virtual and real has been tampered, or rendered insignificant as long as the utilization of the robotic machine is able to achieve the ultimate objective. Whether or not this direction is distressful, the advancement of technology has doubtlessly brought about a new trend that forms a rupture in human civilization.
4. Kurzweil, Ray (2005) The Singularity is near: When humans transcend biology. New York: Penguin Group.
http://books.google.com.hk/books?id=88U6hdUi6D0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=The+Singularity+Is+Near&source=bl&ots=v-cVhKstOK&sig=slyqLCpqQdNJQHptSIhORXSKDP8&hl=zh-TW&ei=lRZ_Tdopxclx48Pw8QY&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CIMBEOgBMAk#v=onepage&q&f=false ( accessed 14 March 2011)
One of the most profound and sophisticated question ever challenged by biologists, may not remain intact for long, as Ray Kurzweil theorizes the relationship between humans and machines in terms of sublimation through the merger of technological creations and living organisms. In his writing, The Singularity is near: When humans transcend biology, he strikingly persuades that a brand new phase of technologic-biology, the ‘singularity’ stage, is not as impossible to achieve as generally conceived instead it is approaching exponentially.
According to his doctrine, genetics and nanotechnology are both essential components of machine-incorporated living organisms – future human beings. Under the rapid development of technology the human brain is deemed to become a living quantifiable wisdom box, in other words, similar to a super computer processor save it is biological.
Building upon Kurzweil’s theory, in the new era, which he believes is inevitable, the calculation speed of the coming computers will soon surpass the process capacity of any human brain. At this point the thin line between biology and technology will become insignificant due to the medical advancements. Computer chips, imaginably will become part and parcel to us and old, rotten or dis-functioning brain parts will be replaced. The integration is going to bring about advanced living forms and, arguably, wiser intelligence. The traditional distinction between human and machines will become insignificant which the dual will eventually merge and become singular.
5. Grossman, Lev (2011) ‘ 2045 The Year Man Becomes Immortal’. Time Magazine, 21 February 2011, 24-31. http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2048138,00.html ( accessed 16 March 2011)
One of the most bombarding ideas presented by ‘singularitarians’ is that human will be able to create artificial intelligence comparable to the processing capability of our own brain. Lev Grossman in his article, Singularity: 2045 The year Man Becomes Immortal, explains the worldview of the ‘singularitarians’ who believe that machine and human will eventually become one. The notion of cyborg is as real as a cell phone. He cited that under the present progression of technology advancement, by the year 2045, ultra-intelligent machines which exceed the combined brainpower of all human brains will be manufactured. According to Lev, this is more of a pragmatic theory than a fringe science fiction as we conceived when we recall the fact that the laptop we are using is thousand times more powerful than the one 40 years ago used in NASA.
However, a blade has two sides. Realization of cyborg may possibly lead to merits such as immortality but could also result annihilation of humanity. On the upside, we may be able to heal aging, whereas on the downside computers can possibly develop until they are way more intelligent than human. This is because they could have well taken over their own development from our hands at that time. If we are lucky enough, we can scan our consciousness into the computers and live immortally, but virtually. What about the definition of ‘alive’ at that time? The lesson is that taking a long view is always harmless, so long as one bears in mind the consequences of playing god’s role.
[1] de Micheli, Mario(2006). Las vanguardias artísticas del siglo XX. Alianza Forma. p.135-13
Nicole's Critical Annotated Webliography
Marlene M. Maheu (2004) ‘The Future of Cyber-Sex and Relationship Fidelity: Cyborg Theory’
http://www.selfhelpmagazine.com/article/node/1337(accessed 12 march 2011)
This article is concern about cyborg sexuality in the Internet that free from reality. Technology is a powerful tool for people to think the relationship between each other and the sexuality in society.
Cyborg is mixed people and machines or animals. Donna Haraway’s defined that ‘a cybernetic organism, as a hybrid of machine and organism, a creature of social reality as well as a creature of fiction.’ People are cyborgs when spending all time in computer to represent themselves.
Technology and humans combined into one, like man is a pacemaker or woman is a respirator. It can overcome the health problem. For example, Stephan Hawkings .
Robin Hamman, the interaction between humans and computer in the cybrogasms. He talks with a young woman named Rebecca in the America Online Chat Room. When Robin Hamman talks to Rebecca, she never represents her sexuality. Therefore, she does not have physically sex in the Internet. Her sex life is tied to computer and Chat Room or any other online systems. Robin Hammam said that ‘the boundary between the human and the machine has blurred.’ It means Rebecca become a cyborg.
Technology makes people go to the cyberspace. The sex and infidelity are reflected in the commitment and life. Technology is giving a new comment, that is totally different from the traditional view because people have an experience in new space. Enable them to show biology and technology, people can represent themselves have a well relationship. It can increase more understanding about the cyborg.
Ross, Charlotte (2005) ‘Creating the ideal posthuman body? Cyborg sex and gender in the work of Buzzati, Vacca, and Ammaniti.’
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-135843180.html (accessed 12 March 2011)
This article is concern about the sex relationship of cyborg and the human. The writer said that the topic of this article is ‘indicate both sexed bodies and sex with cyborgs. Writer wants to discuss sexual and machine to identify the boundary about the psychology, identity and self and others.
The writer thinks that machinery cans stick to cyborg metaphor their sexual attraction through different way, for example, the stream engine. It may be another attraction. She think if people want to keep going on, it is necessary to clarify the gap between human and cyborg.
When the technology developed, if the investigation is ongoing male’s domination generation is change. It is the trend that Woman becomes powerful to develop by themselves. But, writer think that ‘despite frequent overt attempts to reinforce gender binaries as an inevitable, "natural" principle of human identity (and thus by extension cyborg identity).’ People can create and produce identity and sex in the internet.
Jennifer Breen (2007) ‘Cyber Gender’.
http://www.cyborgdb.org/breen.htm (accessed 13 March 2011)
This article is discussing change sex in the Internet. People can choose their gender they like. There are many reasons in respect of change their gender. Gender can be hidden in the internet, this include their sex, alternatively, some of then want to pretend the other sex make confused to others. Male change gender because they want to express female’s aspect. Female wants to change sex because woman has power in the Internet.
Haraway said that ‘“Cyborgs might consider more seriously the partial, fluid, sometimes aspect of sex and sexual embodiment. Gender might not be global identity after all, even if it has profound historical breadth and depth.’ Cyborg can change anything in anytime in the Internet. It is because cyborg is neither a man nor woman.
It is because cyberspace does not have real body in the real life. People can create a new character in the Internet and choose their personality they like. People can define them through the outlook. The writer said that, sexuality is not a stable in our world. People can choose the gender in the cyberspace.
J. Hughes(2007) ‘From Virtual Sex to No Sex?’
http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/print/1348 (accessed 13 March 2011)
This article is concern about the sexuality in the cyberspace. Writer thinks that sex is defined by other direction and dangerous. Sex in the cyberspace is become safe. It is because this can make people avoid diseases and pregnancy. Also, convenient is another element because it is available any time you are and no boundary. The technology will expect to test people’s emotion. Therefore, expect cyborg also can imitate people. It may be able to displace people.
In the interent, people can treat themselves as either the woman or man that subject to their description in the internet. However, the writer said this is subjective opinion; it is because many people are like nature sex. Therefore, body sex will be displaced by physical sex. Last, people will directly to control or influence brain to partner and experience.
Writer said that, people would totally feel completely body sensation after forty years. Therefore, people have a good quality sex with partner. Also, people can control the neurochemistry of sex, the love and hope. People have a choice to choose what they like.
Adam Dobronyi (2011) ‘Cyborg Barbie, unable to perform gender roles’
http://www.wetheb.org/2011/01/cyborg-barbie-unable-to-perform-gender.html (accessed 14 March 2011)
This article is talking about the cyborg Barbie may not have gender. In 2010, a company creates a new Barbie. This Barbie has a camera in her body. Children can use this camera to watch and have interaction with Barbie. Therefore, children can through the camera and the small LCD screen to interact with Barbie. Nowadays, Barbie is a cyborg.
Donna Haraway said that ‘ pioneer of gender critical cyborg theory, writes that, "a cyborg is a cybernetic organism, a hybrid of machine and organism, a creature of social reality as well as a creature of fiction" in "A Cyborg Manifesto".’ And also said ‘The cyborg is a creature in a post-gender world; it has no truck with bisexuality, pre-oedipal symbiosis, unalienated labour, or other seductions to organic wholeness through a final appropriation of all the powers of the parts into a higher unity.’ Through the theory, cyborg must need have two standard, the first one, cyborg must include physically and organic. Another is cyborg must be genderless.
Barbie is technical product; it is because made entirely of technology, such as plastic, copper wires and circuit boards. But she is representing the technology. And Barbie has video recording and LCD screen in her body. Therefore, she is visually representing the cyborg.
Barbie also has on gender. Barbie has clearly body sharp and has great legs, its present a wonderful female body. However, writer think that Barbie’s great body sharp is removed from the real world gender roles. Thus, Barbie meets the second requirement. Barbie may become cyborgs in the future.
http://www.selfhelpmagazine.com/article/node/1337(accessed 12 march 2011)
This article is concern about cyborg sexuality in the Internet that free from reality. Technology is a powerful tool for people to think the relationship between each other and the sexuality in society.
Cyborg is mixed people and machines or animals. Donna Haraway’s defined that ‘a cybernetic organism, as a hybrid of machine and organism, a creature of social reality as well as a creature of fiction.’ People are cyborgs when spending all time in computer to represent themselves.
Technology and humans combined into one, like man is a pacemaker or woman is a respirator. It can overcome the health problem. For example, Stephan Hawkings .
Robin Hamman, the interaction between humans and computer in the cybrogasms. He talks with a young woman named Rebecca in the America Online Chat Room. When Robin Hamman talks to Rebecca, she never represents her sexuality. Therefore, she does not have physically sex in the Internet. Her sex life is tied to computer and Chat Room or any other online systems. Robin Hammam said that ‘the boundary between the human and the machine has blurred.’ It means Rebecca become a cyborg.
Technology makes people go to the cyberspace. The sex and infidelity are reflected in the commitment and life. Technology is giving a new comment, that is totally different from the traditional view because people have an experience in new space. Enable them to show biology and technology, people can represent themselves have a well relationship. It can increase more understanding about the cyborg.
Ross, Charlotte (2005) ‘Creating the ideal posthuman body? Cyborg sex and gender in the work of Buzzati, Vacca, and Ammaniti.’
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-135843180.html (accessed 12 March 2011)
This article is concern about the sex relationship of cyborg and the human. The writer said that the topic of this article is ‘indicate both sexed bodies and sex with cyborgs. Writer wants to discuss sexual and machine to identify the boundary about the psychology, identity and self and others.
The writer thinks that machinery cans stick to cyborg metaphor their sexual attraction through different way, for example, the stream engine. It may be another attraction. She think if people want to keep going on, it is necessary to clarify the gap between human and cyborg.
When the technology developed, if the investigation is ongoing male’s domination generation is change. It is the trend that Woman becomes powerful to develop by themselves. But, writer think that ‘despite frequent overt attempts to reinforce gender binaries as an inevitable, "natural" principle of human identity (and thus by extension cyborg identity).’ People can create and produce identity and sex in the internet.
Jennifer Breen (2007) ‘Cyber Gender’.
http://www.cyborgdb.org/breen.htm (accessed 13 March 2011)
This article is discussing change sex in the Internet. People can choose their gender they like. There are many reasons in respect of change their gender. Gender can be hidden in the internet, this include their sex, alternatively, some of then want to pretend the other sex make confused to others. Male change gender because they want to express female’s aspect. Female wants to change sex because woman has power in the Internet.
Haraway said that ‘“Cyborgs might consider more seriously the partial, fluid, sometimes aspect of sex and sexual embodiment. Gender might not be global identity after all, even if it has profound historical breadth and depth.’ Cyborg can change anything in anytime in the Internet. It is because cyborg is neither a man nor woman.
It is because cyberspace does not have real body in the real life. People can create a new character in the Internet and choose their personality they like. People can define them through the outlook. The writer said that, sexuality is not a stable in our world. People can choose the gender in the cyberspace.
J. Hughes(2007) ‘From Virtual Sex to No Sex?’
http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/print/1348 (accessed 13 March 2011)
This article is concern about the sexuality in the cyberspace. Writer thinks that sex is defined by other direction and dangerous. Sex in the cyberspace is become safe. It is because this can make people avoid diseases and pregnancy. Also, convenient is another element because it is available any time you are and no boundary. The technology will expect to test people’s emotion. Therefore, expect cyborg also can imitate people. It may be able to displace people.
In the interent, people can treat themselves as either the woman or man that subject to their description in the internet. However, the writer said this is subjective opinion; it is because many people are like nature sex. Therefore, body sex will be displaced by physical sex. Last, people will directly to control or influence brain to partner and experience.
Writer said that, people would totally feel completely body sensation after forty years. Therefore, people have a good quality sex with partner. Also, people can control the neurochemistry of sex, the love and hope. People have a choice to choose what they like.
Adam Dobronyi (2011) ‘Cyborg Barbie, unable to perform gender roles’
http://www.wetheb.org/2011/01/cyborg-barbie-unable-to-perform-gender.html (accessed 14 March 2011)
This article is talking about the cyborg Barbie may not have gender. In 2010, a company creates a new Barbie. This Barbie has a camera in her body. Children can use this camera to watch and have interaction with Barbie. Therefore, children can through the camera and the small LCD screen to interact with Barbie. Nowadays, Barbie is a cyborg.
Donna Haraway said that ‘ pioneer of gender critical cyborg theory, writes that, "a cyborg is a cybernetic organism, a hybrid of machine and organism, a creature of social reality as well as a creature of fiction" in "A Cyborg Manifesto".’ And also said ‘The cyborg is a creature in a post-gender world; it has no truck with bisexuality, pre-oedipal symbiosis, unalienated labour, or other seductions to organic wholeness through a final appropriation of all the powers of the parts into a higher unity.’ Through the theory, cyborg must need have two standard, the first one, cyborg must include physically and organic. Another is cyborg must be genderless.
Barbie is technical product; it is because made entirely of technology, such as plastic, copper wires and circuit boards. But she is representing the technology. And Barbie has video recording and LCD screen in her body. Therefore, she is visually representing the cyborg.
Barbie also has on gender. Barbie has clearly body sharp and has great legs, its present a wonderful female body. However, writer think that Barbie’s great body sharp is removed from the real world gender roles. Thus, Barbie meets the second requirement. Barbie may become cyborgs in the future.
Joseph's critical annotated webliography
As the most ultra layer in the whole human body, skin, does not only performs the function of protection. Rather, it plays a symbolic interpretation intertwined between body and society. To distinguish who a person is, the first insight plays the most important function in presenting the person’s gender, race, or even class. In the past, we are easy to examine whether a ‘person’ is human being or mechanic artificial. In contrast, it becomes an arduous difficulty throughout the 21st century in which 3D animation and artificial intelligence developed rapidly and robot technology enhancement improved at the same time. The updated robots are no longer covered by metallic fixture, instead, they are no difference with human. Here comes to controversial discussion which Donna Haraway doubted about why human bodies end at the skin. This webliography is going to examine skins in relation to human as well as the future embodiment.
1. Ballard, Susan (2011) ‘My Viewing Body Does Not End At The Skin.’
http://www.voyd.com/ttlg/textual/ballardessay.htm (accessed 10 March 2011)
The author examined that human body cannot end at the most exterior skin which since there are too much to analyze and interpret insides. This statement was declared by Donna Haraway in 1985 that challenged the former dualistic ideology operated in daily operation. Susan Ballard indicated that the observation experience of human being was not only based on the eyes but in large extent, attributed to the interaction and cooperation of the body. Skin means nothing if symbolic meanings applied on it. It functioned through interactions between human beings. Besides, she premised if ‘voice’ had transformation and could be separated, the framework used to demarcate body which is ‘skin’, should be questioned. Furthermore, those transformations brought along by technologies improvement also generated a revolutionary sense towards corporeal body. Interaction between objects and situations largely contributed to the viewing process and as the result, material’s body was no longer be the solely basis. In addition, Susan Ballard explored a decisive element that ‘desire’ emerged and functioned, finally emanated to the front of the viewer. ‘Desire’ doesn’t only shape one’s behavior alone, but also affect self identity which changes the process of future embodiment. These images and desire provided rooms for people to mimesis and affect future embodiment.
2. Bayne, Siân (2004)’ The Embodiment Of The Online Learner.’
http://74.125.155.132/scholar?q=cache:dqvVxQzlfkJ:scholar.google.com/+why+body+end+at+skin+haraway&hl=en&as_sdt=1,5 (accessed 11 March 2011)
Siân Bayne reconfirmed the importance of re-articulation of body. Identities are constructed through human interaction and not purely natural as well as bodies does. She admitted that bio-technology mapped the basic construction of identity at one level, rather, Dr. Bayne also emphasized on the technological intervention in modifying human body in terms of cosmetic and therapeutic. She regarded cyborg as a breakthrough which destroys the common dualistic ideology between organism and machine, or even culture and nature. Since cyborg is designed in the fusion of mechanic and physical, those technological penetrations accelerated the breakdown of human skin’s function. Along with the technology improvement, the existence of future cyborg would highly alter our own embodiment. Skin and human body would not be the essential criteria and characteristics to provide concrete definition towards human being. Bayne also replenished it by suggesting that no matter how the future visualizing human beings and the “body” must be attached, but there are still uncertainties whether what cooperation between mechanic and organic. It might be cyborgs with physical skin outside, cybernetic elements inside. More cyborgs in human skin emerged, more ethical debates came out as the borders between human and robot are blurred. Rather than being the trait only for organism, skin, might build upon cybernetic subjects and the cover would be gathered by a group of tissue layer.
3. Kunzru, Hari (2004)’You Are Cyborg.’
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/5.02/ffharaway_pr.html (accessed 10 March 2011)
Hari Kunzru provided definition on cyborg that is a mixture of animal and machine. It became a framework to challenge common dualistic ideology. The world is no longer operated by binary opposition, but something ‘the third’ would be appeared. Since animation technology developed rapidly, those imaginations of cyborg became visualized. Science stories not only grounded the fantasy for audience, but also served as the platform to overthrow mainstream ideology. The ideas of cyborg in animations and films opposed the general stereotypes that woman were submissive, weak and emotional naturally. The border between human beings and robot was going to be blurred. Skin, as the most obvious evidence to differentiate between physical bodies and machine components, became worthless. In addition, the world was no longer to be natural and human beings could make efforts to change it. The author believed that human, like cyborgs, could be reconstructed since they are not natural at all. Hari followed by imaging whether human in the future, is going to be biologically destined to fight war if weapons are built up inside. As the result, technology will be the major cause to shape one’s identity, sexuality and even gender. Since human have been more sophisticated, cyborg may be the decisive counter-force to make the world remains functioned.
4. Morse, Margaret(2005)‘Sunshine and Shroud: Cyborg Bodies and the Collective and Personal Self.‘
http://www.medienkunstnetz.de/source-text/117/ (accessed 10 March 2011)
Base on the statement ‘why should our bodies end at skin‘ from Donna Haraway, the author addressed three major undeveloped liminal qualities of cyborg and suggested that the boundries between physical and non-physical have already been entailed by the belief of emboidment. Margaret proposed that cyborg is a aspect of human emboidment instead of a separated being. Cyborg is a transformation form human to robot. The embodiment would no longer be purely humanity but obtained combination between physical and non-physical. Hence, cyborg is only partly physical and the rest filled with mechanic elements which are invisible but ubiquitous. Cyborg might covered by physical skin but nothing skelton is inside. Normal bood vessels are replaced by circuits and electronic threads. Therefore, the boder between human and robot became hidden and confused. At the same time, cyborg imagining needed to overthrow the dualistic ideology between individual and collective. Margaret explord that cyborg involved the process of disassociation and affilitation. Furthermore, Margaret suggested that human embodiment was unstable and changed over time. Culture, technologies, or even human beings themselves will affect the embodiment process. As the result, embodiement required the self-contruction beyond skin from flesh to space in order to adapt to the changing world.
5. Ashby, Madeline (2008) ‘Ownership, authority, and the body: Does antifanfic sentiment reflect posthuman anxiety?’
http://journal.transformativeworks.org/index.php/twc/article/view/40/49 (accessed 12 March 2011)
Madeine believed that the construction of posthuman images would intertwine between genetic, mechanical and psychological which are hybirds of the creation of science fiction and social reality. She suggested that some of the women characters in cyborg films and fictions are the pioneer of future human bodies and identities. Wonmen were merged with the high technologies and organic components. Although those females characters are still contained traditional characteristics like long hair and huge breast, they are more engaged to alter others stereotypes towards woman. Those reproduction protentials of females would not be the path to humanity and wholeness anymore. From now on, this is an era that human beings, especially bodies, are no longer be easily observed. Thus, new generation of women will celebrate for the rejection of body and pleased for the performance of newly identities which help females subvert the former patriarchal authority. Patriarchy society would no longer existed and women, as the revolutionary force, might get over men and dominate the future.Regenerate becomes the key of cyborg identity instead of having rebirth. Madeine believed that cyborg doesn’t only provide challenges for the binary opposition between physical human beings and cybernetic mechanical, but also establish a basis for future anthropology researches as well as gender studies.
Work Cited
Hari Kunzru: «You Are Cyborg.»\\Rev. 2011-03-10
Madeline Ashby: «Ownership, authority, and the body: Does antifanfic sentiment reflect posthumananxiety?»Rev. 2011-03-12
Margaret Morse: «Sunshine and Shroud: Cyborg Bodies and the Collective and Personal Self».
Susan Ballard: «My Viewing Body Does Not End At The Skin.». Rev. 2011-03-10
Siân Bayne: «The Embodiment Of The Online Learner.» Rev. 2011-03-11
1. Ballard, Susan (2011) ‘My Viewing Body Does Not End At The Skin.’
http://www.voyd.com/ttlg/textual/ballardessay.htm (accessed 10 March 2011)
The author examined that human body cannot end at the most exterior skin which since there are too much to analyze and interpret insides. This statement was declared by Donna Haraway in 1985 that challenged the former dualistic ideology operated in daily operation. Susan Ballard indicated that the observation experience of human being was not only based on the eyes but in large extent, attributed to the interaction and cooperation of the body. Skin means nothing if symbolic meanings applied on it. It functioned through interactions between human beings. Besides, she premised if ‘voice’ had transformation and could be separated, the framework used to demarcate body which is ‘skin’, should be questioned. Furthermore, those transformations brought along by technologies improvement also generated a revolutionary sense towards corporeal body. Interaction between objects and situations largely contributed to the viewing process and as the result, material’s body was no longer be the solely basis. In addition, Susan Ballard explored a decisive element that ‘desire’ emerged and functioned, finally emanated to the front of the viewer. ‘Desire’ doesn’t only shape one’s behavior alone, but also affect self identity which changes the process of future embodiment. These images and desire provided rooms for people to mimesis and affect future embodiment.
2. Bayne, Siân (2004)’ The Embodiment Of The Online Learner.’
http://74.125.155.132/scholar?q=cache:dqvVxQzlfkJ:scholar.google.com/+why+body+end+at+skin+haraway&hl=en&as_sdt=1,5 (accessed 11 March 2011)
Siân Bayne reconfirmed the importance of re-articulation of body. Identities are constructed through human interaction and not purely natural as well as bodies does. She admitted that bio-technology mapped the basic construction of identity at one level, rather, Dr. Bayne also emphasized on the technological intervention in modifying human body in terms of cosmetic and therapeutic. She regarded cyborg as a breakthrough which destroys the common dualistic ideology between organism and machine, or even culture and nature. Since cyborg is designed in the fusion of mechanic and physical, those technological penetrations accelerated the breakdown of human skin’s function. Along with the technology improvement, the existence of future cyborg would highly alter our own embodiment. Skin and human body would not be the essential criteria and characteristics to provide concrete definition towards human being. Bayne also replenished it by suggesting that no matter how the future visualizing human beings and the “body” must be attached, but there are still uncertainties whether what cooperation between mechanic and organic. It might be cyborgs with physical skin outside, cybernetic elements inside. More cyborgs in human skin emerged, more ethical debates came out as the borders between human and robot are blurred. Rather than being the trait only for organism, skin, might build upon cybernetic subjects and the cover would be gathered by a group of tissue layer.
3. Kunzru, Hari (2004)’You Are Cyborg.’
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/5.02/ffharaway_pr.html (accessed 10 March 2011)
Hari Kunzru provided definition on cyborg that is a mixture of animal and machine. It became a framework to challenge common dualistic ideology. The world is no longer operated by binary opposition, but something ‘the third’ would be appeared. Since animation technology developed rapidly, those imaginations of cyborg became visualized. Science stories not only grounded the fantasy for audience, but also served as the platform to overthrow mainstream ideology. The ideas of cyborg in animations and films opposed the general stereotypes that woman were submissive, weak and emotional naturally. The border between human beings and robot was going to be blurred. Skin, as the most obvious evidence to differentiate between physical bodies and machine components, became worthless. In addition, the world was no longer to be natural and human beings could make efforts to change it. The author believed that human, like cyborgs, could be reconstructed since they are not natural at all. Hari followed by imaging whether human in the future, is going to be biologically destined to fight war if weapons are built up inside. As the result, technology will be the major cause to shape one’s identity, sexuality and even gender. Since human have been more sophisticated, cyborg may be the decisive counter-force to make the world remains functioned.
4. Morse, Margaret(2005)‘Sunshine and Shroud: Cyborg Bodies and the Collective and Personal Self.‘
http://www.medienkunstnetz.de/source-text/117/ (accessed 10 March 2011)
Base on the statement ‘why should our bodies end at skin‘ from Donna Haraway, the author addressed three major undeveloped liminal qualities of cyborg and suggested that the boundries between physical and non-physical have already been entailed by the belief of emboidment. Margaret proposed that cyborg is a aspect of human emboidment instead of a separated being. Cyborg is a transformation form human to robot. The embodiment would no longer be purely humanity but obtained combination between physical and non-physical. Hence, cyborg is only partly physical and the rest filled with mechanic elements which are invisible but ubiquitous. Cyborg might covered by physical skin but nothing skelton is inside. Normal bood vessels are replaced by circuits and electronic threads. Therefore, the boder between human and robot became hidden and confused. At the same time, cyborg imagining needed to overthrow the dualistic ideology between individual and collective. Margaret explord that cyborg involved the process of disassociation and affilitation. Furthermore, Margaret suggested that human embodiment was unstable and changed over time. Culture, technologies, or even human beings themselves will affect the embodiment process. As the result, embodiement required the self-contruction beyond skin from flesh to space in order to adapt to the changing world.
5. Ashby, Madeline (2008) ‘Ownership, authority, and the body: Does antifanfic sentiment reflect posthuman anxiety?’
http://journal.transformativeworks.org/index.php/twc/article/view/40/49 (accessed 12 March 2011)
Madeine believed that the construction of posthuman images would intertwine between genetic, mechanical and psychological which are hybirds of the creation of science fiction and social reality. She suggested that some of the women characters in cyborg films and fictions are the pioneer of future human bodies and identities. Wonmen were merged with the high technologies and organic components. Although those females characters are still contained traditional characteristics like long hair and huge breast, they are more engaged to alter others stereotypes towards woman. Those reproduction protentials of females would not be the path to humanity and wholeness anymore. From now on, this is an era that human beings, especially bodies, are no longer be easily observed. Thus, new generation of women will celebrate for the rejection of body and pleased for the performance of newly identities which help females subvert the former patriarchal authority. Patriarchy society would no longer existed and women, as the revolutionary force, might get over men and dominate the future.Regenerate becomes the key of cyborg identity instead of having rebirth. Madeine believed that cyborg doesn’t only provide challenges for the binary opposition between physical human beings and cybernetic mechanical, but also establish a basis for future anthropology researches as well as gender studies.
Work Cited
Hari Kunzru: «You Are Cyborg.»\\
Madeline Ashby: «Ownership, authority, and the body: Does antifanfic sentiment reflect posthumananxiety?»
Margaret Morse: «Sunshine and Shroud: Cyborg Bodies and the Collective and Personal Self».
Susan Ballard: «My Viewing Body Does Not End At The Skin.»
Siân Bayne: «The Embodiment Of The Online Learner.»
Danny's sources
source 1
http://www.bscreview.com/2009/01/race-and-science-fiction-part-i-by-sarah-zettel/
Things That Don’t Go Away: Race and Science Fiction (Part I) by Sarah Zettel
RACE AND SCIENCE FICTION: PART ONE
The author mentioned the relationship between race and science fiction. Since “US one of world’s leading exporters of culture and viewpoint for the last half of the 20th century”(2009, Zettle), she believed that US literary brings dominant influence to world’s science fiction. The important point is that racism has been existing in American science fiction. She mentioned the history of science fiction as evidence. According to her discussion, there has been an argument that asking about rather US science fiction should mention people or beings “who are not white, American and male”(2009, Zettle) or not. The majority authors of science fictions are white and male. Moreover, they thought that the future will be the same. All human without these features are regarded as abnormal. In the late 1930s, there were three major authors John W. Campbell, Isaac Asimov, and Robert A. Heinlein, bringing significant impacts to science fiction. Unfortunately they were racism, and brought standards and strict rules to science fiction. First, being an author of science fiction, ones cannot have a female or foreign name. For example, an author named Catherine Moore took a male pseudonym as C.L. Moore. Second, alien race cannot triumph over human beings. It was because Campbell thought that human beings, especially the white male should be the best in the world. Zettle utilized the history of America science fiction to show the condition of racism in science fition.
source 2
http://reading.kingrat.biz/afflatus/racial-bias-in-science-fiction-and-fantasy
Racial bias in science fiction and fantasy
The author discussed about a blogger named S.M. Duke’s researches. Duke was doing a research about the race of the characters in science fiction, for studying the racial bias in science fiction. He was asking the reviewers to find out what is the racial group of the main characters. The reviewers have to write down whether the significant characters of groups are white, black or Asian. It is a interesting method for studying racism. However the author seems has distinctive opinion. First, he agreed that there is certain extent of racism in science fiction. His evidence is the assembly with groups of science fiction authors. According to his observation, large number of attender are old white American. Moreover, those have been being over-represented in science fiction. Then, he mentioned the different mind between white and black in this problem. The white would not consider it consciously. Therefore they normally would not add racial problem into the writing unless they intend to do it. In contrast, the black are still thinking the difficulties they received even though racism is not as serious as in the past. The black must think about the race of the characters. However, he also mentioned that it may not be a serious problem in science fiction because the black authors have been being under-represented. Finally, the author has suspicion on the result and effectiveness of Duke’s researches. It is because he thought that the optimal goal should be demolishing racism, both for writer and reader. However, it seems impossible.
source 3
http://www.stanford.edu/dept/HPS/Haraway/CyborgManifesto.html
Donna Haraway, "A Cyborg Manifesto: Science, Technology, and Socialist-Feminism in the Late Twentieth Century," in Simians, Cyborgs and Women: The Reinvention of Nature (New York; Routledge, 1991), pp.149-181.
Donna Haraway has written a book about cyborg, and look at socialist-feminism through cyborg. First, she explained what is cyborg. Nowadays’ science fiction is full of cyborgs. Cyborg performs like animal, human, or machine, and has distinctive skills. Cyborg is a mixed product of machine and human body. It can be seen as a cybernetic organism and a creature of science genre. Cyborg is an important character and a new concept in science fiction. It brings confusion to the boundary and relationship between organism and machine. Therefore, many original concepts receive critique and challenge. Feminism is a typical example. People started to ask about do cyborg has gender? Or should cyborg has gender? She mentioned that the women in the world have been constructing women experience. Emergence of cyborg breaks the idea of women experience. In addition, “cyborg” exists in the post-gender world. It means that bisexuality is not constantly right, or normal. It challenges the western tradition masculinity domination. Ignoring of variation and otherness helps constructing post-modernist identity. For example, a Chinese or black women is not seens as woman in US. Also, she indicated the new political voice “women of colour.” For example, a Chinese or black woman is seen as having the negative identity. The write women ignore the non-write women.
source 4
http://www.mikebrotherton.com/2010/12/01/hard-science-fiction-and-author-gender-does-it-matter-to-you-poll/
Hard Science Fiction and Author Gender: Does It Matter To You? (Poll)
The author is interesting in science fiction and has abundant books of this category. He is wondering why no readers and publishers aware of there are relatively low in ratio of women author in science fiction. He has found that there are some female authors producing high quality genres actually. However, female has been finding it very difficult to get into the world of hard science fiction. It is because it has been the male dominant world from the history. He mentioned some strange phenomenon for evidence of racism. Some of his friends who are women authors have been asked for using male Pseudonym. According to requirement of publishers, they cannot utilize female name for publishing. Some readers provided negative comments after noticing the author is female. Those authors even received some critical mail about gender. The author wondered if this is the strategy of the marketing department of publisher. He thought that there may be not too much those kinds of readers, or the proportion is far lower than that in the past. as a result, the publishers should not provide such strict rules. “I’ve never consciously considered not buying a science fiction novel because of the gender of the author.” (2010, Poll)
source 5
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Under+strange+stars%3A+Black+writers+and+fans+explore+race+through...-a095266760
Under strange stars: Black writers and fans explore race through science fiction. (Culture).
The author looked at black experience through science fiction. He voices for the black, asking for demolishing racism. In fact, the world of science fiction is still white dominant in a large extent, including authors, editors, readers and publishers. There are sparse black science fictions in the bookstores. HE is seeking answer for why the black authors only occupy little part of science fiction nowadays. He is also asking why there cannot be more black authors and why should the black writers get into the white field? Then, he mentioned about the situation of black fiction. The whole market of black genre is far little than that if the white dominant. There are compact interaction between authors and readers. Black authors can attract more black fandom. At the same time black readers provide favorable condition for more black writers. Each writer was reader in the past, and inspired by former authors. The author encouraged black writing and reading more science fiction. There is a market that should be exploited by them. In addition, there is gender discrimination apart from racism. Problem of pseudonym brings gender barriers to authors. As for anti-discrimination, there is still little feminism genres. “There is not yet a field of "anti-racist science fiction," (2002, Piana)
Reference
Sarah, Zettel. “Things That Don’t Go Away: Race and Science Fiction (Part I)” BCS. 31 January 2009. 12 March 2011.
http://www.bscreview.com/2009/01/race-and-science-fiction-part-i-by-sarah-zettel/
King, Rat. “Racial bias in science fiction and fantasy.” Rat’s Reading. 16 February 2008. 12 March 2011. http://reading.kingrat.biz/afflatus/racial-bias-in-science-fiction-and-fantasy
Donna, Haraway. “ ‘A Cyborg Manifesto: Science, Technology, and Socialist-Feminism in the Late Twentieth Century,’ in Simians, Cyborgs and Women: The Reinvention of Nature (New York; Routledge, 1991), pp.149-181.” 15 March 2011. http://www.stanford.edu/dept/HPS/Haraway/CyborgManifesto.html
Poll. “Hard Science Fiction and Author Gender: Does It Matter To You” Mike Brotherton Hard SF Writer. 1 December 2010. 13 March 2011. http://www.mikebrotherton.com/2010/12/01/hard-science-fiction-and-author-gender-does-it-matter-to-you-poll/
Libero, D, Piana. “Under strange stars: Black writers and fans explore race through science fiction. (Culture).” The Free Library. 22 December 2002. 15 March 2011. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Under+strange+stars%3A+Black+writers+and+fans+explore+race+through...-a095266760
http://www.bscreview.com/2009/01/race-and-science-fiction-part-i-by-sarah-zettel/
Things That Don’t Go Away: Race and Science Fiction (Part I) by Sarah Zettel
RACE AND SCIENCE FICTION: PART ONE
The author mentioned the relationship between race and science fiction. Since “US one of world’s leading exporters of culture and viewpoint for the last half of the 20th century”(2009, Zettle), she believed that US literary brings dominant influence to world’s science fiction. The important point is that racism has been existing in American science fiction. She mentioned the history of science fiction as evidence. According to her discussion, there has been an argument that asking about rather US science fiction should mention people or beings “who are not white, American and male”(2009, Zettle) or not. The majority authors of science fictions are white and male. Moreover, they thought that the future will be the same. All human without these features are regarded as abnormal. In the late 1930s, there were three major authors John W. Campbell, Isaac Asimov, and Robert A. Heinlein, bringing significant impacts to science fiction. Unfortunately they were racism, and brought standards and strict rules to science fiction. First, being an author of science fiction, ones cannot have a female or foreign name. For example, an author named Catherine Moore took a male pseudonym as C.L. Moore. Second, alien race cannot triumph over human beings. It was because Campbell thought that human beings, especially the white male should be the best in the world. Zettle utilized the history of America science fiction to show the condition of racism in science fition.
source 2
http://reading.kingrat.biz/afflatus/racial-bias-in-science-fiction-and-fantasy
Racial bias in science fiction and fantasy
The author discussed about a blogger named S.M. Duke’s researches. Duke was doing a research about the race of the characters in science fiction, for studying the racial bias in science fiction. He was asking the reviewers to find out what is the racial group of the main characters. The reviewers have to write down whether the significant characters of groups are white, black or Asian. It is a interesting method for studying racism. However the author seems has distinctive opinion. First, he agreed that there is certain extent of racism in science fiction. His evidence is the assembly with groups of science fiction authors. According to his observation, large number of attender are old white American. Moreover, those have been being over-represented in science fiction. Then, he mentioned the different mind between white and black in this problem. The white would not consider it consciously. Therefore they normally would not add racial problem into the writing unless they intend to do it. In contrast, the black are still thinking the difficulties they received even though racism is not as serious as in the past. The black must think about the race of the characters. However, he also mentioned that it may not be a serious problem in science fiction because the black authors have been being under-represented. Finally, the author has suspicion on the result and effectiveness of Duke’s researches. It is because he thought that the optimal goal should be demolishing racism, both for writer and reader. However, it seems impossible.
source 3
http://www.stanford.edu/dept/HPS/Haraway/CyborgManifesto.html
Donna Haraway, "A Cyborg Manifesto: Science, Technology, and Socialist-Feminism in the Late Twentieth Century," in Simians, Cyborgs and Women: The Reinvention of Nature (New York; Routledge, 1991), pp.149-181.
Donna Haraway has written a book about cyborg, and look at socialist-feminism through cyborg. First, she explained what is cyborg. Nowadays’ science fiction is full of cyborgs. Cyborg performs like animal, human, or machine, and has distinctive skills. Cyborg is a mixed product of machine and human body. It can be seen as a cybernetic organism and a creature of science genre. Cyborg is an important character and a new concept in science fiction. It brings confusion to the boundary and relationship between organism and machine. Therefore, many original concepts receive critique and challenge. Feminism is a typical example. People started to ask about do cyborg has gender? Or should cyborg has gender? She mentioned that the women in the world have been constructing women experience. Emergence of cyborg breaks the idea of women experience. In addition, “cyborg” exists in the post-gender world. It means that bisexuality is not constantly right, or normal. It challenges the western tradition masculinity domination. Ignoring of variation and otherness helps constructing post-modernist identity. For example, a Chinese or black women is not seens as woman in US. Also, she indicated the new political voice “women of colour.” For example, a Chinese or black woman is seen as having the negative identity. The write women ignore the non-write women.
source 4
http://www.mikebrotherton.com/2010/12/01/hard-science-fiction-and-author-gender-does-it-matter-to-you-poll/
Hard Science Fiction and Author Gender: Does It Matter To You? (Poll)
The author is interesting in science fiction and has abundant books of this category. He is wondering why no readers and publishers aware of there are relatively low in ratio of women author in science fiction. He has found that there are some female authors producing high quality genres actually. However, female has been finding it very difficult to get into the world of hard science fiction. It is because it has been the male dominant world from the history. He mentioned some strange phenomenon for evidence of racism. Some of his friends who are women authors have been asked for using male Pseudonym. According to requirement of publishers, they cannot utilize female name for publishing. Some readers provided negative comments after noticing the author is female. Those authors even received some critical mail about gender. The author wondered if this is the strategy of the marketing department of publisher. He thought that there may be not too much those kinds of readers, or the proportion is far lower than that in the past. as a result, the publishers should not provide such strict rules. “I’ve never consciously considered not buying a science fiction novel because of the gender of the author.” (2010, Poll)
source 5
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Under+strange+stars%3A+Black+writers+and+fans+explore+race+through...-a095266760
Under strange stars: Black writers and fans explore race through science fiction. (Culture).
The author looked at black experience through science fiction. He voices for the black, asking for demolishing racism. In fact, the world of science fiction is still white dominant in a large extent, including authors, editors, readers and publishers. There are sparse black science fictions in the bookstores. HE is seeking answer for why the black authors only occupy little part of science fiction nowadays. He is also asking why there cannot be more black authors and why should the black writers get into the white field? Then, he mentioned about the situation of black fiction. The whole market of black genre is far little than that if the white dominant. There are compact interaction between authors and readers. Black authors can attract more black fandom. At the same time black readers provide favorable condition for more black writers. Each writer was reader in the past, and inspired by former authors. The author encouraged black writing and reading more science fiction. There is a market that should be exploited by them. In addition, there is gender discrimination apart from racism. Problem of pseudonym brings gender barriers to authors. As for anti-discrimination, there is still little feminism genres. “There is not yet a field of "anti-racist science fiction," (2002, Piana)
Reference
Sarah, Zettel. “Things That Don’t Go Away: Race and Science Fiction (Part I)” BCS. 31 January 2009. 12 March 2011.
http://www.bscreview.com/2009/01/race-and-science-fiction-part-i-by-sarah-zettel/
King, Rat. “Racial bias in science fiction and fantasy.” Rat’s Reading. 16 February 2008. 12 March 2011. http://reading.kingrat.biz/afflatus/racial-bias-in-science-fiction-and-fantasy
Donna, Haraway. “ ‘A Cyborg Manifesto: Science, Technology, and Socialist-Feminism in the Late Twentieth Century,’ in Simians, Cyborgs and Women: The Reinvention of Nature (New York; Routledge, 1991), pp.149-181.” 15 March 2011. http://www.stanford.edu/dept/HPS/Haraway/CyborgManifesto.html
Poll. “Hard Science Fiction and Author Gender: Does It Matter To You” Mike Brotherton Hard SF Writer. 1 December 2010. 13 March 2011. http://www.mikebrotherton.com/2010/12/01/hard-science-fiction-and-author-gender-does-it-matter-to-you-poll/
Libero, D, Piana. “Under strange stars: Black writers and fans explore race through science fiction. (Culture).” The Free Library. 22 December 2002. 15 March 2011. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Under+strange+stars%3A+Black+writers+and+fans+explore+race+through...-a095266760
Gordon's Critical Annotated Webliography
Topic 3: If science fiction is a genre that imagines our future, what happens to gender and race?(you can apply this question to literary or cinematic sf)
1. A Future in Full Color: Issues of Race in Science Fiction
Reference
Gatlin, Erin, (2005) 'A Future in Full Color, Issues of Race in Science Fiction' Science Fiction Lab Spring 2005,
http://sciencefictionlab.lcc.gatech.edu/subTopicColor.html
(accessed 15 March 2011)
Summary
This online article, 'A Future in Full Color' Issues of Race in Science Fiction' talks about the change of race in science fiction. The article suggests it has been a long history for the White to rule the science fiction world, for example, Metropolis in 1927. These science fictions emphasized the White was the best and gave a bad impression towards coloured peoples, such as Blacks and Asians.
However, the situation changed after the Second Second War, or to be precise, in the Human Rights Movements. Instead of glorifying the Whites, equal racial relationship was greatly emphasized in fictions of that time.
The situation once again changed to be human versus technology in 1990's in afrofuturist movement. This movement makes human and technology essential parts in Science Fictions. Nowadays, the contribution of the race and science fiction has been a sub category under science fiction.
Therefore, the online article shows the changes made in three important periods. I do agree that the matters of racism and gender in science fiction are to a certain extent shifted to technology because technology really differentiates peoples now. People will discriminate more against people without computers instead of race.
2. Racism and Science Fiction
Reference
Delany, Samuel R., (1998) 'Racism and Science Fiction' The New York Review of Science Fiction NYRSF Issue 120,
http://www.nyrsf.com/racism-and-science-fiction-.html
(accessed 15 March 2011)
Summary
This is an article about authors writing science fiction are being discriminated as they are Black. The famous author, winning some recognised science fiction awards, suffers from vast discriminations like her name was not announced and the applaud of audience was so slight. The author was even named as 'Negro' which greatly emphasized her race negatively from her 'supporters'.
Having been published books for decades, the author summariesd what she has experienced. She said racial discrimination exists everywhere, including cyperpunk. She says so because racial discrimination has become a system with long history. It can even be said as a tradition. An example to show this is only 20 percent of the science fiction writers are Black, meaning they are minorities.
She thinks the only way to reduce racial discrimination is to create a anti-racist Community. However, it is a very sensitive issue as if race is mentioned, readers will not think it is Black and White, but, instead, White to Non-White peoples.
Racism is a very touchy issue and not easy to be got rid of. I believe that racism in science fictions can be changed when there are more black writers as they can bring their thoughts to counter balance racism in the real world.
3. Race in Science Fiction
Reference
Irving, Eoghann, (2005) 'Race in Science Fiction' Solar Flares: Science Fiction News
http://www.sflare.com/archives/race-in-science-fiction/
(accessed 15 March 2011)
Summary
'Race in Science Fiction' is about the comparison between reality and science fiction in terms of racial discrimination. The writer himself is a minority in the place he is living (He is a Scottish living in USA). Therefore, he says using Black in posters in films or TV does not solely mean that Black people are the only minority race, instead, it is a mere representation.
Since different races have different life styles, the reality demonstrates that TV and films companies are going to be constantly serving the majority mainly because the majority (White in this article) have no interest in Black to lead the TV shows. It is also correct in fictions that, when most writers are White, the main characters are supposed to be white. Female characters is another example besides black or minority.
Despite the racial concept in reality is hardly changed, the writer argues that change in science fiction is possible. It is possible to have more non-white writers to write science fictions. This is what the article is about.
This article shares the same view with the second article that science fiction can be a world to make the tradition change. I also agree with it.
4. Who Needs Feminist Science Fiction?
Reference:
Nestvold Ruth, Lake Jay, (2006) 'Who Needs Feminist Science Fiction?' The Internet Review of Science Fiction
http://www.irosf.com/q/zine/article/10285
(accessed 15 March 2011)
Summary
'Who Needs Feminist Science Fiction' is an online article talking about the changes of both the genre 'Feminist Science Fiction' and the author of science fiction.
First, the article mentions that Feminist Science Fictions played a very minor role before, as suggested by the number of 'only a fourth hugo award'.
The mode has been changed between 1926-1973 when the period was said to be a 'crucial moment of the feminist Science Fiction' because it has been explained in the article that originally all science fictions were targeted to male readers only. The concept has be reversed at that time. This shows the change of target audience of science fictions from females to males.
Second, the article mentions it is not important for who writes feminist science fiction and for whom to read feminist science fictions. Both male and female can be readers and writers. A 'Tiptree' award to a male writer in feminist writing is an example.
To sum up, under the genre of feminist science fiction, there is no exact boundaries for males and females. What is more important is, from the article, that whether the readers need it or not.
It is true to say that males can read feminists works. As what the previous two readings suggest, change can be made racially and I believe that it is the same in gender.
5. "These Are Not the Aliens You Are Looking For": Reflection on Race, Writing And Theory in Contemporary Science Fiction
Reference
Kelso Sylvia (2004) , "These are not aliens you are looking for,Reflection of race, writing and theory in contemporary science fiction" in David Ketterer, eds, Flashes of Fantastic, 'Selected Essays from War of the World Centennial Nineteenth International Conference on the Fantastic in the Arts' United States of America: Praeger Publisher, pp. 65-76. http://www.google.com/books?hl=zh-TW&lr=&id=Xh5wFOn256wC&oi=fnd&pg=PA65&dq=race+in+science+fiction+future&ots=Q2huv0pWwr&sig=CerHlj6WdGRB4JAQTGQlJOCCWvY#v=onepage&q=race%20in%20science%20fiction%20future&f=false
(accessed on 15 March 2011)
Summary
This chapter of the book is about the role of race in science fiction. As a white, the writer also finds certain stereotype by her Australian accent. This is another type of administration.
She says why racial discrimination exists is since the most SF writers, especially around the First World War, were white-dominated They did not notice other races or even genders.
However, this type of stereotype has been changed from non-white people to aliens, which can eliminate all racial discriminations. Being off-Earth subjects, the aliens can be thought of being other 'subjects' against human.
Although the creation of the aliens can get rid of racial discrimination between black and white, The chapter says it is a reflection of colonialism.
It is colonialism that creates white, especially british, and non- white. While the distinction between human and aliens is made, this separation has the same hidden meaning, the feeling of being against other groups of living things.
The role of gender is also mentioned, but the main focus of the chapter is about the role of race. The creation of aliens is a continuation of racial discrimination.
It is correct to say that the colonialism has its effects because most directors are
white male. This may imply the concept of colonialism.
1. A Future in Full Color: Issues of Race in Science Fiction
Reference
Gatlin, Erin, (2005) 'A Future in Full Color, Issues of Race in Science Fiction' Science Fiction Lab Spring 2005,
http://sciencefictionlab.lcc.gatech.edu/subTopicColor.html
(accessed 15 March 2011)
Summary
This online article, 'A Future in Full Color' Issues of Race in Science Fiction' talks about the change of race in science fiction. The article suggests it has been a long history for the White to rule the science fiction world, for example, Metropolis in 1927. These science fictions emphasized the White was the best and gave a bad impression towards coloured peoples, such as Blacks and Asians.
However, the situation changed after the Second Second War, or to be precise, in the Human Rights Movements. Instead of glorifying the Whites, equal racial relationship was greatly emphasized in fictions of that time.
The situation once again changed to be human versus technology in 1990's in afrofuturist movement. This movement makes human and technology essential parts in Science Fictions. Nowadays, the contribution of the race and science fiction has been a sub category under science fiction.
Therefore, the online article shows the changes made in three important periods. I do agree that the matters of racism and gender in science fiction are to a certain extent shifted to technology because technology really differentiates peoples now. People will discriminate more against people without computers instead of race.
2. Racism and Science Fiction
Reference
Delany, Samuel R., (1998) 'Racism and Science Fiction' The New York Review of Science Fiction NYRSF Issue 120,
http://www.nyrsf.com/racism-and-science-fiction-.html
(accessed 15 March 2011)
Summary
This is an article about authors writing science fiction are being discriminated as they are Black. The famous author, winning some recognised science fiction awards, suffers from vast discriminations like her name was not announced and the applaud of audience was so slight. The author was even named as 'Negro' which greatly emphasized her race negatively from her 'supporters'.
Having been published books for decades, the author summariesd what she has experienced. She said racial discrimination exists everywhere, including cyperpunk. She says so because racial discrimination has become a system with long history. It can even be said as a tradition. An example to show this is only 20 percent of the science fiction writers are Black, meaning they are minorities.
She thinks the only way to reduce racial discrimination is to create a anti-racist Community. However, it is a very sensitive issue as if race is mentioned, readers will not think it is Black and White, but, instead, White to Non-White peoples.
Racism is a very touchy issue and not easy to be got rid of. I believe that racism in science fictions can be changed when there are more black writers as they can bring their thoughts to counter balance racism in the real world.
3. Race in Science Fiction
Reference
Irving, Eoghann, (2005) 'Race in Science Fiction' Solar Flares: Science Fiction News
http://www.sflare.com/archives/race-in-science-fiction/
(accessed 15 March 2011)
Summary
'Race in Science Fiction' is about the comparison between reality and science fiction in terms of racial discrimination. The writer himself is a minority in the place he is living (He is a Scottish living in USA). Therefore, he says using Black in posters in films or TV does not solely mean that Black people are the only minority race, instead, it is a mere representation.
Since different races have different life styles, the reality demonstrates that TV and films companies are going to be constantly serving the majority mainly because the majority (White in this article) have no interest in Black to lead the TV shows. It is also correct in fictions that, when most writers are White, the main characters are supposed to be white. Female characters is another example besides black or minority.
Despite the racial concept in reality is hardly changed, the writer argues that change in science fiction is possible. It is possible to have more non-white writers to write science fictions. This is what the article is about.
This article shares the same view with the second article that science fiction can be a world to make the tradition change. I also agree with it.
4. Who Needs Feminist Science Fiction?
Reference:
Nestvold Ruth, Lake Jay, (2006) 'Who Needs Feminist Science Fiction?' The Internet Review of Science Fiction
http://www.irosf.com/q/zine/article/10285
(accessed 15 March 2011)
Summary
'Who Needs Feminist Science Fiction' is an online article talking about the changes of both the genre 'Feminist Science Fiction' and the author of science fiction.
First, the article mentions that Feminist Science Fictions played a very minor role before, as suggested by the number of 'only a fourth hugo award'.
The mode has been changed between 1926-1973 when the period was said to be a 'crucial moment of the feminist Science Fiction' because it has been explained in the article that originally all science fictions were targeted to male readers only. The concept has be reversed at that time. This shows the change of target audience of science fictions from females to males.
Second, the article mentions it is not important for who writes feminist science fiction and for whom to read feminist science fictions. Both male and female can be readers and writers. A 'Tiptree' award to a male writer in feminist writing is an example.
To sum up, under the genre of feminist science fiction, there is no exact boundaries for males and females. What is more important is, from the article, that whether the readers need it or not.
It is true to say that males can read feminists works. As what the previous two readings suggest, change can be made racially and I believe that it is the same in gender.
5. "These Are Not the Aliens You Are Looking For": Reflection on Race, Writing And Theory in Contemporary Science Fiction
Reference
Kelso Sylvia (2004) , "These are not aliens you are looking for,Reflection of race, writing and theory in contemporary science fiction" in David Ketterer, eds, Flashes of Fantastic, 'Selected Essays from War of the World Centennial Nineteenth International Conference on the Fantastic in the Arts' United States of America: Praeger Publisher, pp. 65-76. http://www.google.com/books?hl=zh-TW&lr=&id=Xh5wFOn256wC&oi=fnd&pg=PA65&dq=race+in+science+fiction+future&ots=Q2huv0pWwr&sig=CerHlj6WdGRB4JAQTGQlJOCCWvY#v=onepage&q=race%20in%20science%20fiction%20future&f=false
(accessed on 15 March 2011)
Summary
This chapter of the book is about the role of race in science fiction. As a white, the writer also finds certain stereotype by her Australian accent. This is another type of administration.
She says why racial discrimination exists is since the most SF writers, especially around the First World War, were white-dominated They did not notice other races or even genders.
However, this type of stereotype has been changed from non-white people to aliens, which can eliminate all racial discriminations. Being off-Earth subjects, the aliens can be thought of being other 'subjects' against human.
Although the creation of the aliens can get rid of racial discrimination between black and white, The chapter says it is a reflection of colonialism.
It is colonialism that creates white, especially british, and non- white. While the distinction between human and aliens is made, this separation has the same hidden meaning, the feeling of being against other groups of living things.
The role of gender is also mentioned, but the main focus of the chapter is about the role of race. The creation of aliens is a continuation of racial discrimination.
It is correct to say that the colonialism has its effects because most directors are
white male. This may imply the concept of colonialism.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Self/Net Presentation (Group 3)
Hello, my lovely classmates :P
On this coming thursday, Nicole and I will present you the topic- Virtual Ethics.
We will focus on the first essential reading "Cyberstalking: Gender and computer ethics" written by Alison Adam.
*Just to give you a very brief introduction that this chapter concentrates on how feminist ethics can be used to apply in computer ethics problems through examples of "cyberstalking".
And here is the schedule of our presentation (it approximately takes 12-15 minutes) :
1. Introduction (Sue)
2. Feminist ethics and feminist theory (Sue)
3. Cyberstalking and with its examples (Sue)
4. Analysis of cyberstalking examples using feminist ethics (Nicole)
5. Conclusion (Nicole)
6. Discussion (Nicole)
Nicole and Sue
____________________________________________________________
On this coming thursday, Nicole and I will present you the topic- Virtual Ethics.
We will focus on the first essential reading "Cyberstalking: Gender and computer ethics" written by Alison Adam.
*Just to give you a very brief introduction that this chapter concentrates on how feminist ethics can be used to apply in computer ethics problems through examples of "cyberstalking".
And here is the schedule of our presentation (it approximately takes 12-15 minutes) :
1. Introduction (Sue)
2. Feminist ethics and feminist theory (Sue)
3. Cyberstalking and with its examples (Sue)
4. Analysis of cyberstalking examples using feminist ethics (Nicole)
5. Conclusion (Nicole)
6. Discussion (Nicole)
Nicole and Sue
____________________________________________________________
- Discussion:
- Do you agree cyberstalking is an accident not a ethic problem?
- Is female status different in the network and real life? What will you suggest to resolve the currently computer ethics?
- Are technologies good? On one hand, it gives great opportunities for people to attack the others; on the other hand, it is as one of the powerful tool to trace down the perpetrator.
The above is the questions we have discussed today.
Please feel free to leave Nicole and me comments or feedbacks; we are glad to discuss the topic Virtual Ethics with all of you :)
By the way, thank you for particapting actively towards our pesentation. (CLAP)
Friday, March 18, 2011
Karen's Critical Annotated Webliography
2. ‘The machine/ organism relationships are obsolete, unnecessary’ writes Haraway. In what ways have our relations to machines been theorised?
I Love This Dog” – Children’s Emotional Attachment to the Robotic Dog AIBO
This paper is talking about a free exploration case study on the emotional attachment between the robotic pet AIBO and its user, include children and adults. Besides, observing the interaction and reaction of the users with AIBO is also a main task in this study.
In this study, AIBO is put in a wooden square in a big shopping mall. People can play with AIBO or only observe it freely. Except observe the interaction between AIBO and human, there is 147 participants were selected to finish two questionnaires.
The result of this study is, all of the children was very interested in AIBO and played with it actively. They commented that AIBO is “so cool”, “a nice dog” positively. Moreover, when AIBO was “sleeping”, two brothers returned seven in two days until AIBO was not recharging and play with it. All of these actions are showing that AIBO, a robotic dog has a good relation with children.
On the other hand, there is two kinds of questionnaires which is for children and adult. 77.9% of children think that AIBO could understand them, also the big majority, 91.6% of them quote that AIBO is able to be their playfellow and 90.2% of them say that when they are alone at home, they will feel better if AIBO stay with them. On the adult side, they think that AIBO is suitable for some allergic children or children who is in hospitals and also elder. It proved that AIBO earn the trust from children and can let people feel relieved.
Critical thoughts About Tamagotchi
According to this website, it proposes two examples of metaphorical extensions: Tamagotchi is a living creature and a learning device. Both of them are negating the relation between human and Tamagotchi is “toy and its owner”.
If Tamagotchi is just a “toy”, “skillful” is the only to play this game. However, there is many anecdotal reports point out that because they need to take care of their “virtual pet”, a lot of businessmen trying to delay or prematurely adjourn some important meetings.
Besides, there is a case the a woman left the plane before take-off and refuse to use this airline company again because the staff requested her to turn-of her Tamagotchi device, this is equal to “kill” it.
It is easy to find out that people regard Tamagotchi as a real pet, a living creature. They spend their time, money and love to take care of their “pet” and feel pain if Tamagotchi “dead”.
There is many virtual pet before, like desktop pet. But Tamagotchi get a bigger success than it because people cannot bring them everywhere when Tamagotchi can. On the other hand, different from desktop pet, player cannot pause or turn-off the Tamagotchi, they need to take care it continually, satisfy its need. All of these let it become more authentic.
The Tamagotchi craze and virtual reality --the search for novel forms of entertainment
This article has discussed the reasons of why Tamagotchi is so success and its influence.
Since 1996, there is more than 10 million of Tamagotchi have been sold. The designed of Tamagotchi is for 8 to 15 years old children at first; but now, it gets the huge success in Japanese, from children to adult. According to the sociologist Howard Besser, human has a natural need to take care something or someone generally, and Tamagotchi is very suitable to fulfill this need ----- like take care of a real pet.
On the other hand, Doctor Michael Basquin has been studying the reason of why Tamagotchi get success between children. He found out that Tamagotchi has been used as a method for overcoming a deep loneliness by some children. The loneliness may caused by they lack of affection from their family and the children will have a strong attachment to Tamagotchi, a virtual pet. However, because the attachment is too strong, the children may feel extremely depressed when their virtual pet “die”. Several psychologists has point out that the children are too young to deal with the concept of death, it is very dangerous for them. In South Korea, they have banned the students to bring Tamagotchi to school already.
Besides, Tamagotchi is a means for people to escape from reality and enter to a virtual world. Like many virtual reality games, Tamagotchi provide an escape route for people to evade the problems in real life.
Tamagotchi: an exploration in culture
Kathy mentioned two general theories about Tamagotchi: it is a living creature and a learning device. The spokesperson of Bandai Inc., which is the manufacturer of Tamagotchi, Tomio Motofo said that “It is not a game. You are looking after a space creature whose lifespan depends on how you care for it”. According to this theory, the desire to take care of a pet and sympathy is the motivation to buy a Tamagotchi.
To take care of the virtual pet, the owner needs to carry it all the time. The more time and attention spend on it, the more emotional involvement and attachment. The number of virtual temples and cyber graveyard for Tamagotchi are keep rising that provide a space for the people who lost their virtual pet can mourn for the death of Tamagotchi, and also can receive comfort from the one who understand.
Besides, Tamagotchi is a learning device for children also. As Mary Woodworth, the spokesperson for Bandai Co., U.S Division said, ‘It is more than a toy, it is a learning device. It teaches people to be responsible’. Through look after a virtual pet, children can learn they need to be responsible to their “pet”.
Human-Robot Relationships: The Future of Full-Functionality
According to this paper, it commented that personal robot can be classified into three main categories: tool, service-provider and companion. And this paper focused on discussing the third one.
Fong, the writer of “Robotics and Autonomous Systems” describes a companion robot as, “… robots that have an intrinsic notion of sociality, that develop social skills and bond with people, and that can show empathy and true understanding”. This kind of robot can interact with human, and it can become the teachers and also the playmates. They can form the human-robot relationship.
Furby, a robot can interact with its owner and has emotion. Children would describe Furby as “kind of alive” and also describe its perceived feelings and thoughts in detail. Besides, according to the research, adults would use the concept of a relationship with “semi-alive”, a smart machine. Most of the people prefer an emotional robot because an “inner life” is a key point to keep human interested in a relationship. Besides, studies also show that emotional content in robotic communication can increase human understanding, and a personality component can provide a framework that let people feel more comfortable operating. All these things build up an “actual relationship” between human and robot.
Another example like Paro, a robotic seal with emotive and responsive, has been proved that it can decrease the elderly patients’ stress level; the elder can interact with it similarly to interact with real animal. Therefore, Paro is currently use in hospital and in elder care.
References:
Weiss, Astrid, Daniela Wurhofer and Manfred Tscheligi (2009) ‘“I Love This Dog” – Children’s Emotional Attachment to the Robotic Dog AIBO.’ http://www.springerlink.com/index/h0xh767gu2554800.pdf (accessed 12 March 2011)
Bensky, Xavier and Usman Haque (e.d.) ‘Critical thoughts About Tamagotchi.’ http://www.virtualpet.com/vp/farm/lleg/critical/ana.htm (accessed 12 March 2011)
Deyes, Roberto (1998) ‘The Tamagotchi craze and virtual reality --the search for novel forms of entertainment.’ http://www.madsci.org/dtm/tama.html (accessed 12 March 2011)
McCallum, Kathy (e.d.) ‘Tamagotchi: an exploration in culture.’ http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/murphy7312/JPT3500file/JPT.Projectfile/Jpt/Tamagotchi.html (accessed 13 March 2011)
Jill A., Brady (e.d.) ‘Human-Robot Relationships: The Future of Full-Functionality.’ http://alumni.cs.ucr.edu/~bradyj/HRR.pdf (accessed 13 March 2011)
I Love This Dog” – Children’s Emotional Attachment to the Robotic Dog AIBO
This paper is talking about a free exploration case study on the emotional attachment between the robotic pet AIBO and its user, include children and adults. Besides, observing the interaction and reaction of the users with AIBO is also a main task in this study.
In this study, AIBO is put in a wooden square in a big shopping mall. People can play with AIBO or only observe it freely. Except observe the interaction between AIBO and human, there is 147 participants were selected to finish two questionnaires.
The result of this study is, all of the children was very interested in AIBO and played with it actively. They commented that AIBO is “so cool”, “a nice dog” positively. Moreover, when AIBO was “sleeping”, two brothers returned seven in two days until AIBO was not recharging and play with it. All of these actions are showing that AIBO, a robotic dog has a good relation with children.
On the other hand, there is two kinds of questionnaires which is for children and adult. 77.9% of children think that AIBO could understand them, also the big majority, 91.6% of them quote that AIBO is able to be their playfellow and 90.2% of them say that when they are alone at home, they will feel better if AIBO stay with them. On the adult side, they think that AIBO is suitable for some allergic children or children who is in hospitals and also elder. It proved that AIBO earn the trust from children and can let people feel relieved.
Critical thoughts About Tamagotchi
According to this website, it proposes two examples of metaphorical extensions: Tamagotchi is a living creature and a learning device. Both of them are negating the relation between human and Tamagotchi is “toy and its owner”.
If Tamagotchi is just a “toy”, “skillful” is the only to play this game. However, there is many anecdotal reports point out that because they need to take care of their “virtual pet”, a lot of businessmen trying to delay or prematurely adjourn some important meetings.
Besides, there is a case the a woman left the plane before take-off and refuse to use this airline company again because the staff requested her to turn-of her Tamagotchi device, this is equal to “kill” it.
It is easy to find out that people regard Tamagotchi as a real pet, a living creature. They spend their time, money and love to take care of their “pet” and feel pain if Tamagotchi “dead”.
There is many virtual pet before, like desktop pet. But Tamagotchi get a bigger success than it because people cannot bring them everywhere when Tamagotchi can. On the other hand, different from desktop pet, player cannot pause or turn-off the Tamagotchi, they need to take care it continually, satisfy its need. All of these let it become more authentic.
The Tamagotchi craze and virtual reality --the search for novel forms of entertainment
This article has discussed the reasons of why Tamagotchi is so success and its influence.
Since 1996, there is more than 10 million of Tamagotchi have been sold. The designed of Tamagotchi is for 8 to 15 years old children at first; but now, it gets the huge success in Japanese, from children to adult. According to the sociologist Howard Besser, human has a natural need to take care something or someone generally, and Tamagotchi is very suitable to fulfill this need ----- like take care of a real pet.
On the other hand, Doctor Michael Basquin has been studying the reason of why Tamagotchi get success between children. He found out that Tamagotchi has been used as a method for overcoming a deep loneliness by some children. The loneliness may caused by they lack of affection from their family and the children will have a strong attachment to Tamagotchi, a virtual pet. However, because the attachment is too strong, the children may feel extremely depressed when their virtual pet “die”. Several psychologists has point out that the children are too young to deal with the concept of death, it is very dangerous for them. In South Korea, they have banned the students to bring Tamagotchi to school already.
Besides, Tamagotchi is a means for people to escape from reality and enter to a virtual world. Like many virtual reality games, Tamagotchi provide an escape route for people to evade the problems in real life.
Tamagotchi: an exploration in culture
Kathy mentioned two general theories about Tamagotchi: it is a living creature and a learning device. The spokesperson of Bandai Inc., which is the manufacturer of Tamagotchi, Tomio Motofo said that “It is not a game. You are looking after a space creature whose lifespan depends on how you care for it”. According to this theory, the desire to take care of a pet and sympathy is the motivation to buy a Tamagotchi.
To take care of the virtual pet, the owner needs to carry it all the time. The more time and attention spend on it, the more emotional involvement and attachment. The number of virtual temples and cyber graveyard for Tamagotchi are keep rising that provide a space for the people who lost their virtual pet can mourn for the death of Tamagotchi, and also can receive comfort from the one who understand.
Besides, Tamagotchi is a learning device for children also. As Mary Woodworth, the spokesperson for Bandai Co., U.S Division said, ‘It is more than a toy, it is a learning device. It teaches people to be responsible’. Through look after a virtual pet, children can learn they need to be responsible to their “pet”.
Human-Robot Relationships: The Future of Full-Functionality
According to this paper, it commented that personal robot can be classified into three main categories: tool, service-provider and companion. And this paper focused on discussing the third one.
Fong, the writer of “Robotics and Autonomous Systems” describes a companion robot as, “… robots that have an intrinsic notion of sociality, that develop social skills and bond with people, and that can show empathy and true understanding”. This kind of robot can interact with human, and it can become the teachers and also the playmates. They can form the human-robot relationship.
Furby, a robot can interact with its owner and has emotion. Children would describe Furby as “kind of alive” and also describe its perceived feelings and thoughts in detail. Besides, according to the research, adults would use the concept of a relationship with “semi-alive”, a smart machine. Most of the people prefer an emotional robot because an “inner life” is a key point to keep human interested in a relationship. Besides, studies also show that emotional content in robotic communication can increase human understanding, and a personality component can provide a framework that let people feel more comfortable operating. All these things build up an “actual relationship” between human and robot.
Another example like Paro, a robotic seal with emotive and responsive, has been proved that it can decrease the elderly patients’ stress level; the elder can interact with it similarly to interact with real animal. Therefore, Paro is currently use in hospital and in elder care.
References:
Weiss, Astrid, Daniela Wurhofer and Manfred Tscheligi (2009) ‘“I Love This Dog” – Children’s Emotional Attachment to the Robotic Dog AIBO.’ http://www.springerlink.com/index/h0xh767gu2554800.pdf (accessed 12 March 2011)
Bensky, Xavier and Usman Haque (e.d.) ‘Critical thoughts About Tamagotchi.’ http://www.virtualpet.com/vp/farm/lleg/critical/ana.htm (accessed 12 March 2011)
Deyes, Roberto (1998) ‘The Tamagotchi craze and virtual reality --the search for novel forms of entertainment.’ http://www.madsci.org/dtm/tama.html (accessed 12 March 2011)
McCallum, Kathy (e.d.) ‘Tamagotchi: an exploration in culture.’ http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/murphy7312/JPT3500file/JPT.Projectfile/Jpt/Tamagotchi.html (accessed 13 March 2011)
Jill A., Brady (e.d.) ‘Human-Robot Relationships: The Future of Full-Functionality.’ http://alumni.cs.ucr.edu/~bradyj/HRR.pdf (accessed 13 March 2011)
Adrian's Critical Annotated Webliography*
5. Blogging is a practice that is mundane and yet radical in its potential to transform individual and collective agency and activism. Discuss.
This article aims at looking into the influence of blogs through the reason why do people blog. The writer believes that citizen journalism is one of the motivations.
As blogs provide people opportunity to freely express their points of views publicly, many bloggers try to “bypass” the traditional mainstream media and publish news stories neglected by those media. The participation of the general public is then encouraged. Also, unlike professional journalists who need to report news story everyday, bloggers can spend more time on a particular news story that interests them. By doing so, bloggers are able to “enlarge” the news agenda of the mainstream news report to cover the stories focused by blogs in more depth.
Blogs also challenge the mainstream media in other ways. On one hand, some blogs act as a “self-appointed watchdogs” (or the so-called “watchblogs”) to monitor or even criticize the mainstream media. On the other hand, the transparency of blogs also brings influence to the tradition news reports. They change people’s expectation on news report and push them to be more “fast and open”.
As blogs provide people opportunity to freely express their points of views publicly, many bloggers try to “bypass” the traditional mainstream media and publish news stories neglected by those media. The participation of the general public is then encouraged. Also, unlike professional journalists who need to report news story everyday, bloggers can spend more time on a particular news story that interests them. By doing so, bloggers are able to “enlarge” the news agenda of the mainstream news report to cover the stories focused by blogs in more depth.
Blogs also challenge the mainstream media in other ways. On one hand, some blogs act as a “self-appointed watchdogs” (or the so-called “watchblogs”) to monitor or even criticize the mainstream media. On the other hand, the transparency of blogs also brings influence to the tradition news reports. They change people’s expectation on news report and push them to be more “fast and open”.
This research analyzes the relationship between bloggers and politics in a very scientific way. It aims at seeing if there is any relationship between blogging and the level of political efficacy and between blogging and the level of political participation.
The results reveal that blogging behavior (e.g. the history and frequency of blogging) has nothing to do with the level of political efficacy and participation of both political and non-political bloggers. The author wants to know if the results are due to the short blogging time. Therefore, he further analyzes the relationship between bloggers who have blogged for more than a year and politics. However, the results are more or less the same. The author still finds no connection between long-term blogging and the level of political efficacy and participation.
This article is a chapter of a study that analyzes the relationship between social-political blogs and the development of democracy in Malaysia. In this chapter, Ming Kuok Lim, the author, identifies three main functions of blogs in the development of democracy in the country: as the “Fifth Estate”; as “Networks”; and as a “Platform of Expression”.
For the function as the “Fifth Estate”, since the media in Malaysia have a special relationship with the ruling government, it is unwise to totally trust the mainstream media on some sensitive issues. Therefore, an “alternative media” is demanded to “break news, become the agenda setter, filter or provide information, frame stories, and highlight stories neglected by the mainstream media”. This “alternative media” was appeared in the form of blog.
For the function as “Networks”, a network can be formed in the blogosphere due to hyperlinks. This kind of connection is seen in two ways. One is the primarily linkage online and the other one is the “offline network” in which bloggers meet in person and form groups.
For the function as a “Platform of Expression”, different walks of people can get their voices be heard without filtration through blogs. Blogs also serve as a “training grounds for expression” for bloggers to improve the standard of their comments.
The author further suggests that these three functions of blogs are not “mutually exclusive” but “interconnected”.
For the function as the “Fifth Estate”, since the media in Malaysia have a special relationship with the ruling government, it is unwise to totally trust the mainstream media on some sensitive issues. Therefore, an “alternative media” is demanded to “break news, become the agenda setter, filter or provide information, frame stories, and highlight stories neglected by the mainstream media”. This “alternative media” was appeared in the form of blog.
For the function as “Networks”, a network can be formed in the blogosphere due to hyperlinks. This kind of connection is seen in two ways. One is the primarily linkage online and the other one is the “offline network” in which bloggers meet in person and form groups.
For the function as a “Platform of Expression”, different walks of people can get their voices be heard without filtration through blogs. Blogs also serve as a “training grounds for expression” for bloggers to improve the standard of their comments.
The author further suggests that these three functions of blogs are not “mutually exclusive” but “interconnected”.
The author examines the influences of blogs in terms of “sense of community” and “social capital”, and hence talks about how the influences are related to the business of newspaper.
For the “sense of community”, virtual communities, for example, blogs, fulfill the four elements of that physical communities fulfill. They are a “feeling of membership”, “influence”, “fulfillment of needs”, and “shared emotional connections”. The author focuses on the second element, i.e. influence, and points out that newspapers and their readers are mutually influential through newspaper blogs because newspapers provide reliable information to the readers while blogs “give readers the chance to influence what goes into the newspaper”.
For “social capital”, which describes the network among people, researches find that social contact on the Internet, such as the discussion on blogs with other people, enhances the “face-to-face social capital by encouraging participation in voluntary organizations”. The greater the sense of community people have online, the greater the social cohesion they enjoy in the real and physical community.
What can these two features affect the business of newspaper? As newspaper blogs create a sense of community and enhance the social capital of real communities, newspapers act like helping the community and therefore their credibility and circulations are increased, meaning that newspapers can make greater profits.
There has been an explosion in the number of blogs over the past decade. While many people focus on the increase in number, the author of this article finds that not many researches cover the content and consequence of blogging. Therefore, he did a research about these aspects of blogging.
His research encompasses one question: “how are political blogs influencing elite political discourse and public opinion in the United States?” The results find that political bloggers become “opinion leaders”. They are able to identify the issues and attract the attention of the mass public over these issues. Also, and more importantly, these bloggers can affect the decision of professional journalists and politicians of what issues to discuss. By doing so, bloggers become the centre of the interaction between the mass public and “elite actors”.
Reference
1. Hunter, Andrea. Why Blog? Community and Citizen Journalism in the North American Blogosphere. Ottawa: Carleton University, 2007. 14-31. 14 March 2011.
2. Kim, Eunseong. Political and Non-political Bloggers in the 2004 U.S. Presidential Election: Motivations and Activities. Indiana University, 2006. 95-109. 14 March 2011.
3. Ming, Kuok Lim. Blogging and Democracy: Blogs in Malaysian Political Discourse. The Pennsylvania State University, 2009. 175-209. 14 March 2011.
4. Roger, Robin. Creating community and gaining readers through newspaper blogs. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina, 2006. 8-17. 14 March 2011.
5. Wallsten, Kevin Jay. Public Opinion and the New, “New Media”: How Political Blogs Influence Journalists Politicians and the Mass Public. Berkeley: University of California, 2008.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Alice's Critical Annotated Webliography
3. If science fiction is a genre that imagines our future, what happens to gender and race? (You can apply this question to literary or cinematic SF.)
Introduction
It is a reiteration that science fiction (SF) is a genre which is different from other genres. The plots in SF are full of imagination towards the future of human-beings, though the ideas are ridiculous sometimes. Some scholars think that SF very often reflects the anticipation towards certain cultural issues, especially gender, race and ethnicity. The development of SF may be hindered by the conventional thinking towards these issues at the same time. The followings are the five websites I use to illustrate how SF breaks through the cultural construction of gender and race, as well as how SF reinforces the conventional notions of gender and race.
Both/And: Science Fiction and the Question of Changing Gender
As suggested by Vint, SF is a genre that can be used to imagine our future. She claims that most of the malleable bodies described in SF can be used as a tool to challenge our contemporary gender constructions. On the other hand, they can be used to reinforce the culturally constructed sex/gender system. She then uses two SF novels, Samuel R. Delany’s Trouble on Triton: An Ambiguous Heterotopia (1976) and John Varley’s Steel Beach (1992), as examples to support her argument. In the first novel, the male protagonist Bron, turns himself into a woman and he wants to be a real woman different from the other women. It is, however, ironic for Bron to persist the thought that real women must behave in the way requested by men. As a woman, Bron finds that she has to relinquish her desires to adapt to the desires of the surrounding men. In Delany's representation, being a woman is the result of a long process of socialization. The similarities between Bron's woman and patriarchy's woman effectively citicize the sex/gender system and its systematic production of sexual difference. As for Varley’s novel, the male protagonist Hildy also switches his gender to female. The novel includes many paragraphs describing Hildy’s appearance, clothing and sexual activity after gender switch than in the ‘male’ sections of the novel. Vint argues that this SF reinforces the conventional stereotypes by stressing that the world changes when one changes gender.
From the Andromeda Strain to Alien
As compared with other genres of films in which sexism in media representations of women was often found, SF films and television programmes in the 1970s was not only influenced by, but also proposed the ideals of feminist movement. As mentioned by Westcott, women lived longer but sicker lives before the 1970s. The media at that time kept reinforcing the gendered division of labour and discriminated against women. With the aid of feminist movements, SF films started to change its representation of women and present more progressive images of women in the 1970s. Westcott then illustrates two examples of SF programmes, The New Adventures of Wonder Woman (1975-9) and The Bionic Woman (1976-8), which break the conventional phenomenon of rare women being starred in television series. In the programmes, Wonder Woman defeated (mostly male) villains, while Jamie Sommors fought crime in her bionic body without wearing a titillating costume. These are the films attempting to portray female characters in a way that challenges sexist stereotypes of the past. Westcott suggests that SF genre is a breakthrough which imagines a future where men and women interact equally.
The Relevance of Gender in the Cyborg Body in Science Fiction
Chapman suggests that women and men were portrayed in very different ways in many SF films. Women were usually linked to nothing but something with negative connotations, while men were represented as more important than women. Women were considered evil and villain, while men were regarded as heroes and saviors. Chapman points out that very often SF reflects gender in terms of current events. Then, the author proposes a concept, abjection, to describe the process of which female body is discriminated against. Chapman then exemplifies the change of media representations in SF by the examples of The Terminator (1984), Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) and Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003). Throughout the three series, the character of Sarah Connor has changed from weak and feminine dressing in The Terminator to strong and masculine in Terminator 2. From Chapman’s point of view, these three films can be read in two ways. They intend to suggest femininity can be as strong as masculinity. On the other hand, they can be viewed as simply repeating old 1950’s SF where feminine characters are wicked, and masculine characters are heroic.
Race and Ethnicity in Science Fiction
According to Leonard, SF authors use the imaginative possibilities of SF to visualize worlds where present social problems have been solved. They can, on the other hand, imagine a future where problems have been overstated. Leonard quotes two examples, W. E. B. Du Bois’s The Comet (1920) and Ray Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles (1950), to prove that SF has provided a means to investigate the simultaneous dependence on and disdain for black Americans by white Americans. The roles of SF are to render the invisible visible and to reveal something about the era that the novels were created. They find ways for the voices of disenfranchised and subordinated people to be heard. Octavia Butler’s novel Kindred (1979) gives voice to a black woman, while Orson Scott Card’s novel Pastwatch (1996) highlights racism and oppression instead of ignores it. They urge the readers to look into their past and present to think about the kind of future they want. However, many SF authors are bound by some other forces, such as their own culture and experience as well as publishers’ and target audience’s expectations. As a result, most of the SF deals with racial tension simply by ignoring it.
When Will White People Stop Making Movies Like ‘Avatar’?
Newitz uses the SF film Avatar (2009) as a case study which is obviously a fantasy about race from the point of view of white people. In the film, the moon’s inhabitants Na’vi are described as native people wearing feathers in hair, worshipping nature gods, painting their faces for war as well as using bows and arrows. Newitz argues that the film makers try to display alien versions of stereotypical native peoples. Newitz further categorizes Avatar as movies about white guilt by generalizing the common plot orders in these movies. The main white characters, who initially were one of the oppressors, assimilate themselves into the “alien” cultures. They switch sides and become the leaders of the people they once oppressed later in the film in order to purge their sense of guilt. This type of SF, argued by Newitz, is an attempt to lead people of color from the inside instead of from the outside. Moreover, it is a small breakthrough for the male protagonist of Avatar choosing to join the Na’vi rather than abiding the racist culture of his own people. However, the natives in the story are still hindered by the whites. Newitz insists that Avatar is still a story which revisits the old tropes of colonization.
Conclusion
In short, the above websites and examples of SF novels, films and television programmes reaffirm the importance of SF genre in reconstructing the media representations of gender and race. On one hand, SF can break down the conventional thinking of race and gender. It can, on the other hand, be used to consolidate the cultural construction the other way round. There is no doubt that SF has been playing a significant role in imagining our future lives.
Works Cited
Chapman, Adele. “The Relevance of Gender in the Cyborg Body in Science Fiction.” Helium. 18 June 2007. (retrieved on) 15 March 2011. http://www.helium.com/items/403363-the-relevance-of-gender-in-the-cyborg-body-in-science-fiction>.
Leonard, E. A. “Race and Ethnicity in Science Fiction.” Cambridge University Press. n.d. (retrieved on) 11 March 2011. http://files.pbworks.com/download/hTB0loEBqH/templefyw/30798217/Leonard%20-%20Race%20and%20Ethnicity%20in%20Science%20Fiction.pdf?ld=1>.
Newitz, Annalee. “When Will White People Stop Making Movies Like ‘Avatar’?” io9. 18 Dec. 2009. (retrieved on) 14 March 2011. http://io9.com/#!5422666/when-will-white-people-stop-making-movies-like-avatar>.
Vint, Sherryl. “Both/And: Science Fiction and the Question of Changing Gender.” Strange Horizons. 18 Feb. 2002. (retrieved on) 10 March 2011. http://www.strangehorizons.com/2002/20020218/both_and.shtml>.
Westcott, Jennifer. “From The Andromeda Strain to Alien.” Reassessing Women in Mainstream Science Fiction Film and Television, from “When Worlds Collide” to “Alien”. Digital Dissertation Consortium (2003). 15 March 2011. http://www.2shared.com/document/6C5hh6VH/EdissCoS.html>.
Introduction
It is a reiteration that science fiction (SF) is a genre which is different from other genres. The plots in SF are full of imagination towards the future of human-beings, though the ideas are ridiculous sometimes. Some scholars think that SF very often reflects the anticipation towards certain cultural issues, especially gender, race and ethnicity. The development of SF may be hindered by the conventional thinking towards these issues at the same time. The followings are the five websites I use to illustrate how SF breaks through the cultural construction of gender and race, as well as how SF reinforces the conventional notions of gender and race.
Both/And: Science Fiction and the Question of Changing Gender
As suggested by Vint, SF is a genre that can be used to imagine our future. She claims that most of the malleable bodies described in SF can be used as a tool to challenge our contemporary gender constructions. On the other hand, they can be used to reinforce the culturally constructed sex/gender system. She then uses two SF novels, Samuel R. Delany’s Trouble on Triton: An Ambiguous Heterotopia (1976) and John Varley’s Steel Beach (1992), as examples to support her argument. In the first novel, the male protagonist Bron, turns himself into a woman and he wants to be a real woman different from the other women. It is, however, ironic for Bron to persist the thought that real women must behave in the way requested by men. As a woman, Bron finds that she has to relinquish her desires to adapt to the desires of the surrounding men. In Delany's representation, being a woman is the result of a long process of socialization. The similarities between Bron's woman and patriarchy's woman effectively citicize the sex/gender system and its systematic production of sexual difference. As for Varley’s novel, the male protagonist Hildy also switches his gender to female. The novel includes many paragraphs describing Hildy’s appearance, clothing and sexual activity after gender switch than in the ‘male’ sections of the novel. Vint argues that this SF reinforces the conventional stereotypes by stressing that the world changes when one changes gender.
From the Andromeda Strain to Alien
As compared with other genres of films in which sexism in media representations of women was often found, SF films and television programmes in the 1970s was not only influenced by, but also proposed the ideals of feminist movement. As mentioned by Westcott, women lived longer but sicker lives before the 1970s. The media at that time kept reinforcing the gendered division of labour and discriminated against women. With the aid of feminist movements, SF films started to change its representation of women and present more progressive images of women in the 1970s. Westcott then illustrates two examples of SF programmes, The New Adventures of Wonder Woman (1975-9) and The Bionic Woman (1976-8), which break the conventional phenomenon of rare women being starred in television series. In the programmes, Wonder Woman defeated (mostly male) villains, while Jamie Sommors fought crime in her bionic body without wearing a titillating costume. These are the films attempting to portray female characters in a way that challenges sexist stereotypes of the past. Westcott suggests that SF genre is a breakthrough which imagines a future where men and women interact equally.
The Relevance of Gender in the Cyborg Body in Science Fiction
Chapman suggests that women and men were portrayed in very different ways in many SF films. Women were usually linked to nothing but something with negative connotations, while men were represented as more important than women. Women were considered evil and villain, while men were regarded as heroes and saviors. Chapman points out that very often SF reflects gender in terms of current events. Then, the author proposes a concept, abjection, to describe the process of which female body is discriminated against. Chapman then exemplifies the change of media representations in SF by the examples of The Terminator (1984), Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) and Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003). Throughout the three series, the character of Sarah Connor has changed from weak and feminine dressing in The Terminator to strong and masculine in Terminator 2. From Chapman’s point of view, these three films can be read in two ways. They intend to suggest femininity can be as strong as masculinity. On the other hand, they can be viewed as simply repeating old 1950’s SF where feminine characters are wicked, and masculine characters are heroic.
Race and Ethnicity in Science Fiction
According to Leonard, SF authors use the imaginative possibilities of SF to visualize worlds where present social problems have been solved. They can, on the other hand, imagine a future where problems have been overstated. Leonard quotes two examples, W. E. B. Du Bois’s The Comet (1920) and Ray Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles (1950), to prove that SF has provided a means to investigate the simultaneous dependence on and disdain for black Americans by white Americans. The roles of SF are to render the invisible visible and to reveal something about the era that the novels were created. They find ways for the voices of disenfranchised and subordinated people to be heard. Octavia Butler’s novel Kindred (1979) gives voice to a black woman, while Orson Scott Card’s novel Pastwatch (1996) highlights racism and oppression instead of ignores it. They urge the readers to look into their past and present to think about the kind of future they want. However, many SF authors are bound by some other forces, such as their own culture and experience as well as publishers’ and target audience’s expectations. As a result, most of the SF deals with racial tension simply by ignoring it.
When Will White People Stop Making Movies Like ‘Avatar’?
Newitz uses the SF film Avatar (2009) as a case study which is obviously a fantasy about race from the point of view of white people. In the film, the moon’s inhabitants Na’vi are described as native people wearing feathers in hair, worshipping nature gods, painting their faces for war as well as using bows and arrows. Newitz argues that the film makers try to display alien versions of stereotypical native peoples. Newitz further categorizes Avatar as movies about white guilt by generalizing the common plot orders in these movies. The main white characters, who initially were one of the oppressors, assimilate themselves into the “alien” cultures. They switch sides and become the leaders of the people they once oppressed later in the film in order to purge their sense of guilt. This type of SF, argued by Newitz, is an attempt to lead people of color from the inside instead of from the outside. Moreover, it is a small breakthrough for the male protagonist of Avatar choosing to join the Na’vi rather than abiding the racist culture of his own people. However, the natives in the story are still hindered by the whites. Newitz insists that Avatar is still a story which revisits the old tropes of colonization.
Conclusion
In short, the above websites and examples of SF novels, films and television programmes reaffirm the importance of SF genre in reconstructing the media representations of gender and race. On one hand, SF can break down the conventional thinking of race and gender. It can, on the other hand, be used to consolidate the cultural construction the other way round. There is no doubt that SF has been playing a significant role in imagining our future lives.
Works Cited
Chapman, Adele. “The Relevance of Gender in the Cyborg Body in Science Fiction.” Helium. 18 June 2007. (retrieved on) 15 March 2011. http://www.helium.com/items/403363-the-relevance-of-gender-in-the-cyborg-body-in-science-fiction>
Leonard, E. A. “Race and Ethnicity in Science Fiction.” Cambridge University Press. n.d. (retrieved on) 11 March 2011. http://files.pbworks.com/download/hTB0loEBqH/templefyw/30798217/Leonard%20-%20Race%20and%20Ethnicity%20in%20Science%20Fiction.pdf?ld=1>
Newitz, Annalee. “When Will White People Stop Making Movies Like ‘Avatar’?” io9. 18 Dec. 2009. (retrieved on) 14 March 2011. http://io9.com/#!5422666/when-will-white-people-stop-making-movies-like-avatar>
Vint, Sherryl. “Both/And: Science Fiction and the Question of Changing Gender.” Strange Horizons. 18 Feb. 2002. (retrieved on) 10 March 2011. http://www.strangehorizons.com/2002/20020218/both_and.shtml
Westcott, Jennifer. “From The Andromeda Strain to Alien.” Reassessing Women in Mainstream Science Fiction Film and Television, from “When Worlds Collide” to “Alien”. Digital Dissertation Consortium (2003). 15 March 2011. http://www.2shared.com/document/6C5hh6VH/EdissCoS.html>
Sue's Critical Annotated Webliography
2. ‘The machine/organism relationships are obsolete, unnecessary’ writes Haraway. In what ways have our relations to machines been theorized?
Unconditional Love 2.0: Cyberpets v. Real Thing
Cartier, a keeper for his golden retriever Dublin and so the three virtual Tama, writes to introspect the kinship among human and cyber pet. The article mentions that users nowadays are generous to their virtual pets with money. “I do not mind spending money,” one of the interviewees Kim May claims, “it’s pleasurable for me to come home and take care of animals that you can turn off and go to bed when you’re done with”.
Nevertheless, Professor Sherry Turkle proposes that this may replace the inter-personal relationship. She points out that this virtual relationship is taken root because of these pets are asking for people’s care. Interestingly, human will re-sponse to their request in nature as though they have attended their consciousness. What is more, human even wants them to requisite with care, “there’s an expec-tation of reciprocity that’s very deep in our consciousness”. In addition, although keeping virtual pets look seemingly perfect, Turkle theorizes that they could not have substituted for living creatures on account of real pets contain peculiarities, such as Dublin pees when other dogs scare her. Their exclusive subjectivity makes Cartier in agreement with the irreplaceable human-animal companionship.
The Future of Cyber-Sex and Relationship Fidelity: Cyborg Theory
Maheu, Marlene M. (n.d) ‘The Future of Cyber-Sex and Relationship Fidelity: Cyborg Theory.’ http://www.selfhelpmagazine.com/article/node/1337 (accessed 6 March 2011)
Mizrach, Steve (2002) ‘Should there be a limit placed on the integration of humans and computers and electronic technology?’ http://www2.fiu.edu/~mizrachs/cyborg-ethics.html (accessed 13 March 2011)
Orca, Surfdaddy (2009) ‘Cyborg Exoskeletons May Soon Become as Common as Bicycles.’ http://hplusmagazine.com/2009/09/02/cyborg-exoskeletons-may-soon-become-common-bicycles/ (accessed 7 March 2011)
Paul, Christiane (2002) ‘CYBORG AS CYBERBODY.’ http://www.ekac.org/artlab23.html (accessed 14 March 2011)
Unconditional Love 2.0: Cyberpets v. Real Thing
Cartier, a keeper for his golden retriever Dublin and so the three virtual Tama, writes to introspect the kinship among human and cyber pet. The article mentions that users nowadays are generous to their virtual pets with money. “I do not mind spending money,” one of the interviewees Kim May claims, “it’s pleasurable for me to come home and take care of animals that you can turn off and go to bed when you’re done with”.
Nevertheless, Professor Sherry Turkle proposes that this may replace the inter-personal relationship. She points out that this virtual relationship is taken root because of these pets are asking for people’s care. Interestingly, human will re-sponse to their request in nature as though they have attended their consciousness. What is more, human even wants them to requisite with care, “there’s an expec-tation of reciprocity that’s very deep in our consciousness”. In addition, although keeping virtual pets look seemingly perfect, Turkle theorizes that they could not have substituted for living creatures on account of real pets contain peculiarities, such as Dublin pees when other dogs scare her. Their exclusive subjectivity makes Cartier in agreement with the irreplaceable human-animal companionship.
The Future of Cyber-Sex and Relationship Fidelity: Cyborg Theory
Dr. Maheu purports that Cyborg theory has played an influential role in con-structing the future of cyber sexuality and relationship fidelity. The so-called cy-borg is a human-machine system which does breakdown the universal dualisms such as Organism/Mechanism. For examples, a cardiac pacemaker a man survives with or a computer-generated voice embedded in Cosmologist Stephan Hawkings who suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
With regard to his contention, Dr. Maheu cites a case of Rebecca as proof which is extracted in Robin Hamman’s study. Rebecca who satisfies her sexual arousal through online chat rooms becomes a cyborg. It is for the reason that she feels comparatively moral and safe to have sex in a virtual world rather a real world. People start feeling doubtful about relationships reliability makes the writer wonders if human will live indivisible from the advanced technologies.
In response to this question, Dr. Maheu concludes that technology is encouraging people to squarely face the changed humanity at the present time as well as technology is requiring new responses to old vibrancies. Besides, he is hopeful that people can expand themselves to engage in meaningful relationships in an artificial world where the line between human and machinery is hazed.
Should there be a limit placed on the integration of humans and computers and electronic technology?
Mizrach argues that “there will have to be restrictions on the integration of the human and the computer”. Given that today advanced technology, there are ab-undant debates over biotechnology, for instance the Cyborg phenomenon. On one hand, cyborg is endorsed for the reason that it brings human race benefits. It increases information-processing power, avoids perishing under irreversible global changes, helps display the fluidness, hybridization, and boundary-transgression of postmodern identities and saves human race from itself. However, on the other hand, bioelectronics may bring negative social consequences into existence: splits human race along the lines of biological haves and have-nots, gives ability to control and monitor people, endangers human health and safety as well as takes over humanity.
The present time is in line with what scientists have put forth, “once a technology is out there, you cannot make it go away”. Having been deliberated upon the merits and demerits of biotechnology, the writer concludes that a new cyborg bioethics will possibly be needed. Merely, it is even more necessary for scientists and engineers having consciousness of social responsibility for developing bio-electronics technologies. Likewise, it is significance for public keeping a critical awareness and watchfulness as regards the human-machine interaction.
Cyborg Exoskeletons May Soon Become as Common as Bicycles
This news remarks that HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) exoskeleton is presented for rent in Japan. It is a design aims to help the paralyzed, the disables and par-ticularly the elders whose daily activities count on wheelchair.
The HAL exoskeleton, with different sizes and weights, contains power units for mechanical limbs, bio-electric signal sensors, a battery pack, one computer con-troller and a floor reaction force sensor. Furthermore, researchers have explored a brain/machine interface (BMI) which enable users to decide direction or pace by “thinking” the instructions in order to convenient for the wheelchair’s users.
The working principle of HAL exoskeleton is roughly concerning about the transformation of signals. In the first place, a HAL-assisted person will send out somewhat feeble nerve signals when he or she wants to move. Next, a sensor in-side the exoskeleton induces the signals and delivers a new signal to the power units for upper and lower limbs. Last but not least, the machine is therefore acti-vated to “move in synch with the wearer’s own limbs”.
Apart from the purpose of medical allowances, experts endeavor to open up the possibilities the exoskeleton for military purpose. Vis-à-vis this innovation, the writer realizes that this easy-controlled technology has potential to become as common as bicycle.
CYBORG AS CYBERBODY
The essayist ponders on the issues of embodiment/disembodiment, man/machine symbiosis and its relation to evolution or design and so online art projects in re-gard to the context of cyborg and cyberbody. In the age of internet, virtual reality builds a fantasyland for human. It opens up the possibility of mind independent from body and also the possibility of re-forming the body. A physical body has seemingly been transformed into a “multiple self of mediated realities”. To this end, Paul postulates that the tension between embodiment and disembodiment is mutuality rather an option.
In the past decade, there have been many art projects exploring the hu-man-machine relationship such as Time Capsule. It is an inward art work that combines with a site-specific work and a broadcast on TV or the Web. Concern-ing this issue of man/machine symbiosis, the writer deems that machine may not only assist people to understand the nature of intellectual processes but may per-haps vary the way people thinking at the same time. And she convinces the read-ers to re-consider the collaboration among man and machine.
No doubt human bodies have been technologically augmented and Paul agrees the boundaries of bodies will continuously dissolve.
References:
Cartier, Curtis (2010) ‘Unconditional Love 2.0: Cyberpets v. Real Thing.’ http://news.santacruz.com/2010/07/28/unconditional_love_2.0_cyberpets_v._real_thing (accessed 11 March 2011)Maheu, Marlene M. (n.d) ‘The Future of Cyber-Sex and Relationship Fidelity: Cyborg Theory.’ http://www.selfhelpmagazine.com/article/node/1337 (accessed 6 March 2011)
Mizrach, Steve (2002) ‘Should there be a limit placed on the integration of humans and computers and electronic technology?’ http://www2.fiu.edu/~mizrachs/cyborg-ethics.html (accessed 13 March 2011)
Orca, Surfdaddy (2009) ‘Cyborg Exoskeletons May Soon Become as Common as Bicycles.’ http://hplusmagazine.com/2009/09/02/cyborg-exoskeletons-may-soon-become-common-bicycles/ (accessed 7 March 2011)
Paul, Christiane (2002) ‘CYBORG AS CYBERBODY.’ http://www.ekac.org/artlab23.html (accessed 14 March 2011)
Monday, March 14, 2011
Presentation Group 2
Hi all! This is Alice speaking again!
For the tutorial presentation on this Thursday, I will discuss with you on the topic of “Friends”. I will mainly focus on the first piece of reading about the role of networked publics in teenage social life and here is the agenda on that day:
(1) Background of the chapter
(2) Major issues mentioned in the chapter, like the concepts of private Vs public, networked publics, privacy in public, etc.
(3) Discussion
(4) Conclusion
[Oh, of course, the above schedule is subject to amendments :P]
I believe that most of you must have participated on social network sites like Facebook and Weibo. Joining these sites is sometimes regarded as disclosing your privacy in public. Even when you are now posting something or leaving a message on this weblog, you may also undergo privacy in public as this weblog is supposed to be accessible to everyone on the Internet. How do you feel about it? Do you regard it as a problem? Let's think about it and we may discuss it during the tutorial.
Thanks and See you on Thursday:]
(14/03/2011)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My Reflections on the presentation
First of all, thanks for all of your active participation during the tutorial yesterday. You all really did a great job, haha!
Facebook was once what I used to use everyday (though I started to quit using it a few weeks ago^^). However, how many of us think about the social issues behind when using these social network sites? This week, I have the opportunity to think about it because of my presentation topic. Preparing for this presentation allows me to think deeply about the subject which I often neglected in daily life. And, here are the conclusion I can draw:
1) It's difficult to find any true privacy online. Even though people can change their privacy settings to control who can witness what, network applications and the social network site itself may "betray" you by leaking out your personal information to the networked public. Personal choice really counts a lot in helping an individual to protect his/her privacy, as he/she can decide what and how much of personal information to be shown on the Net.
2) It is noticeable that there is still an intensive division along race line on social network sites as mentioned in the reading. Undoubtedly, these network sites provide a potential opportunity for individuals to make friends across national boundaries. However, people tend not to link together without common interests and topics. As a result, people tend to make friends with people of the same race and ethnicity.
I think social network sites are good platforms for us to get information efficiently. At the same time, privacy should also be an issue we should concern with when we're using them.
(18/03/2011)
Don't hesitate to raise questions or comments here if you have any! See you!
For the tutorial presentation on this Thursday, I will discuss with you on the topic of “Friends”. I will mainly focus on the first piece of reading about the role of networked publics in teenage social life and here is the agenda on that day:
(1) Background of the chapter
(2) Major issues mentioned in the chapter, like the concepts of private Vs public, networked publics, privacy in public, etc.
(3) Discussion
(4) Conclusion
[Oh, of course, the above schedule is subject to amendments :P]
I believe that most of you must have participated on social network sites like Facebook and Weibo. Joining these sites is sometimes regarded as disclosing your privacy in public. Even when you are now posting something or leaving a message on this weblog, you may also undergo privacy in public as this weblog is supposed to be accessible to everyone on the Internet. How do you feel about it? Do you regard it as a problem? Let's think about it and we may discuss it during the tutorial.
Thanks and See you on Thursday:]
(14/03/2011)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My Reflections on the presentation
First of all, thanks for all of your active participation during the tutorial yesterday. You all really did a great job, haha!
Facebook was once what I used to use everyday (though I started to quit using it a few weeks ago^^). However, how many of us think about the social issues behind when using these social network sites? This week, I have the opportunity to think about it because of my presentation topic. Preparing for this presentation allows me to think deeply about the subject which I often neglected in daily life. And, here are the conclusion I can draw:
1) It's difficult to find any true privacy online. Even though people can change their privacy settings to control who can witness what, network applications and the social network site itself may "betray" you by leaking out your personal information to the networked public. Personal choice really counts a lot in helping an individual to protect his/her privacy, as he/she can decide what and how much of personal information to be shown on the Net.
2) It is noticeable that there is still an intensive division along race line on social network sites as mentioned in the reading. Undoubtedly, these network sites provide a potential opportunity for individuals to make friends across national boundaries. However, people tend not to link together without common interests and topics. As a result, people tend to make friends with people of the same race and ethnicity.
I think social network sites are good platforms for us to get information efficiently. At the same time, privacy should also be an issue we should concern with when we're using them.
(18/03/2011)
Don't hesitate to raise questions or comments here if you have any! See you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)