* Late due to flashdrive difficulties. I handed in the hard copy on time, but was informed it couldn't be marked without the virtual copy.
Guiding Question Three:
In order to properly answer the question; “Judy Waczman argues that Donna Haraway’s figure of the cyborg has taken on ‘a life of its own’ in popular culture, science fiction and academic writing. In what ways has it been taken up by feminists?” it must first be determined what the meaning of the term ‘cyborg’ is in this context. It can be defined as “a cybernetic organism, such as an animal with a human-made implant.” (Judy Waczman) In order to find sources suitable to answering this question, I searched journals on the library websites and also used Google Scholar. Throughout my perusal of online resources, it was important to take note of the date the sources were published and the credibility of the authors. More recent sources would provide information specific to the present day, but older sources would provide an insight into the evolution of the figure of the cyborg and its influence on feminism.
The first online source to be discussed is On the Matrix: Cyberfeminist Solutions [1], a book written by Sadie Plant which explores the acceptance of the cyborg by feminists and also how it has helped in equality of the genders. It indicates that the merging of human and machine, as seen with the internet, undermines “the world-view and the material reality of two thousand years of patriarchal control.” She goes on to indicate that women have been considered outsiders in society, foreigners in a male-dominated world. It is indicated that this is so because women lack the “equipment” that men possess, and masculinity attributes to identity. The introductions of the cyborg and such mediums as the internet were embraced as a way to shed the previous stereotypes regarding gender.
“Should Feminists Be Cyborgs?” [2] is a valuable source in exploring the feminist ideals depicted in science fiction television. The first television show discussed is The X-Files, in which the character of Dana Scully is a good example of a cyborg; she is both a woman and a scientist, which connects both the machine-like quality (science) with the female. The second television show analysed is Star Trek. Star Trek includes cyborg characters, perhaps the more traditional model that is thought of when thinking of science fiction, including Data. Sexual orientation is explored through these cyborg characters. Data is seen to exhibit emotions and actions more in line with the stereotypical way in which society views femininity; caring for children. Complimenting this, it is shown that the character of Seven challenges the stereotypical view of women due to her lack of sensitivity and emotionality.
In a more human and technology-based example, Wired magazine article “Women Power Web of Protests” [3] details how feminists in today’s digital age are able to express their opinions through new mediums of communication, such as the internet. The examples given (the donations made in George W. Bush’s name to Planned Parenthood, and apparent outrage at attorney general John Ashcroft’s connections with a conservative magazine) show that the success of such endeavours are in a large part thanks to the acceptance of the figure of the cyborg as a communicative tool today, ie. The internet and the melding of human and technology. As stated in the very opening sentence; “Instead of chaining themselves to a fence to protest the glass ceiling or vociferously picketing outside the studios of the Miss America pageant, today's feminists are taking a less visible route toward activism.” This quote clearly indicates that the internet has been enthusiastically adopted by feminists as a more widely accessible and influential tool in encouraging societal change and the exchange of opinions.
Similarly, Tracy L. M. Kennedy’s “The Personal is Political: Feminist Blogging and Virtual Consciousness-Raising” [4] delves into the internet as a medium of expressing opinions and forming “consciousness-raising groups.” In this scene, feminists are cyborgs in their own right, utilizing the power of the machine (the internet), which appears as an extension as the human body, an extra limb. The text attributes the oppression of women to societal ills, and the internet as an ever useful tool in ensuring the road to social change. It also brings up the valid point that the virtual world enables everyone, not just academics, to voice their opinions. However, it acknowledges that the blogosphere is primarily a male-dominated medium and raises four points as to the overcoming of this snag by female activists; self expression through diary-type blogs, sharing stories to gain a wider knowledge of women in different situations and interacting with fellow feminists. Overall, this source explores the difficulties faced by feminists online, but also the great effect the blogosphere can have on promoting and achieving social change by the voicing of opinions.
Another source from Blogging Feminism (Web)sites of Resistance, is “Blogging Was Just the Beginning: Women’s Voices are Louder Online” [5] by Chris Nolan, which indicates that the internet is a useful mechanism in spreading feminism. It discusses the theory of sexist distraction, and gives the example of Judy Dean and her husband Howard Dean as an example. The article states that Judy Dean “was criticized for not leaving her job and her two children—one in college and the other preparing to attend—to join her spouse on the campaign trail,” when Mr Dean ran for president in 2004. It indicates that it was of greater importance for the woman to support her spouse, than for her to support the family financially and have her own career. The article goes on to outline that blogging was predominantly a male-dominated means of communication and expression. However, this changed when it was realised that blogging and the internet were more accessible to a wider audience.
The sources proved to be useful in order to answer the question given. It is indicative that the cyborg has been a figure of empowerment for females in terms of sexist stereotypes and the sources I discovered, predominantly from different websites and authors, all supported this view through such analyses of science fiction shows and the internet. The introduction of the cyborg and such technology allows women more freedom and a more accessible way of expressing their opinions.
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[1] Sadie Plant, “On the Matrix: Cyberfeminist Solutions,” Social Research: Philosophy, Politics and Practice, 1992. http://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=S9dCT23LSSEC&oi=fnd&pg=PA170&dq=sadie+plant&ots=BpqBMXjWVu&sig=lOuSde1sn9BMnn--dJVkfWttxrY
[2] Joan M. Blauwkamp and Nicole R. Krassas, “Should Feminists Be Cyborgs?”
http://www.allacademic.com//meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/1/3/8/8/5/pages138854/p138854-1.php
[3] “Women Power Web of Protests” Wired Magazine
http://www.wired.com/politics/law/news/2001/04/43063
[4] Tracy L. M. Kennedy, “The Personal is Political: Feminist Blogging and and Virtual Consciousness-Raising,” Blogging Feminism: (Web)sites of Resistance (Part I: Cyberactivism and Online Movement Making) 2007
http://www.barnard.edu/sfonline/blogs/kennedy_01.htm
[5] Chris Nolan, “Blogging Feminism: (Web)sites of Resistance,” Blogging Feminism: (Web)sites of Resistance (Part II: Women and Politics in the Blogosphere), 2007
http://www.barnard.edu/sfonline/blogs/nolan_01.htm
