mtl3p

I would have a lot of respect for the viewpoint that as a feminist someone would refuse to interact with (which means invest in) current technology. Ideant makes the case for the almost overlap of technologization and capitalism. I think Mikel’s point is valid that there is a gap between those two - a gap than contains lots of potential for resistance and alternatives if exploited. However, in general, technology as is reinforces a worldview that is pretty un-fucking-feminist as my way of seeing things. Technology almost by definition excludes the unquantifiable, the unmeasurable.

I might be being simplistic - and I know that there are very cool female or minority-oriented projects (like BlogHer) that are trying to change the playing ground - but I really wonder if it is even possible to have a feminist technology. I frankly can’t conceive of it. Yes blogs and vlogging might be more feminist than writing code (not because it’s more welcoming to females, but because it doesn’t require a specific monolithic way of interacting with it (ie: standpoint / postcolonial / third wave feminism not a tradional or equity feminism) but I think that vlogging and blogging and the rest of it springs from and depends upon other technologies that have very specific, un-feminist values folded into them.

So I would support Ideant’s idea that the digital divide can and sometimes should be seen as an act of resistance - but not just against a capitalist society. i think there’s a lot more in current technology to resist against than that.

I feel kinda stupid. I’m sure that lots of feminists have already talked about technology being masculine / patriarchal. I just haven’t read them. suggestions for urls / resources would be appreciated.

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