Author: Brooke J.

A Dirty Cyborg Manifesto

Brooke J.
Reading Time: < 1 minute

Janelle Monae’s “Dirty Computer” album and Donna Haraway’s “A Cyborg Manifesto” both explore a fluidity of identity, critique of control, and resistance. Fluidity of identity is embraced in the album through the celebration of sexual and gender diversity, where traditional boundaries are blurred. Binary classification is rejected as love and attraction are explored across the broad spectrum of both sexuality and gender. In comparison, Haraway promotes a fluid understanding of self, specifically gender and sexuality. As far a critiquing control, both Haraway and Monae critique how society monitors and regulates identity, creating a struggle for autonomy. Lastly, there is the resistance against oppressive societal norms. “Dirty Computer” has a theme of rebellion and empowerment, challenging society exceptions. This theme is similar to Haraway’s call for liberation from traditional roles of gender and sexuality.

What does it mean to be Human?

Brooke J.
Reading Time: < 1 minute

In this blog post, I will be analyzing how “Blade Runner” questions what it means to be human through its depiction of replicants, while Neuromancer explores similar themes through its characters’ interactions with artificial intelligences and cyberspace. The Replicants in Blade Runner question what it means to be human through their anthropocentric mindset. Their bioengineered make combined with all of their human characteristics blur the lines between human and machine. For example, these lab constructed individuals show characteristics such as love, fear, grief, self reflection and awareness, as well as intelligence. Although they are not fully human, all of the traits that they can still produce may make the viewers of this film question whether these traits are fully associated with being human, or could just be constructed. In Neuromancer, true humanity is lost through elements such as cyberspace and artificial intelligence. Their virtual reality distorts people’s perception of self, as people are no longer able to recognize what is natural and what is a result of technology. In addition, surveillance technology in their society takes away people’s sense of autonomy, as well as their privacy, as their every move is made available to those behind these technological advancements. In conclusion, both Blade Runner and Neuromancer have numerous elements that make viewers and readers question what it means to be human, from the creation of replicants to the advanced surveillance technology.

Shifting boundaries

Brooke J.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

One specific example of an established boundary that has begun to shift is the distinction between genders. This is a boundary that most of my elders did not expect to change, but gender labels have become ambiguous and a very sensitive topic. The once established boundary between men and women identifying as cisgender, has gained many more labels including transgender, agender, and nonbinary. 

Although the gender identity boundary has shifted way further back than 5 years ago, being only in my early 20s, I hadn’t become familiar with this shift up until the last 5 years or so. People are openly expressing new gender identities that are much more fluid and inclusive, as opposed to the binary man and woman genders.

As far as what prompted this change, I believe that it can be accredited to the progressiveness of generation Z and the Millennials. Older generations are accustomed to more traditional states of mind and find it harder to adjust to new ways of living. This change has also come about through more media representation, legal advancements, and advocacy of members of the LGBTQ+ community. 

The fluidity of gender has been demonstrated on television, in literature, and in art. This has normalized the broad definition of gender. Legal advancements have supported the shift of gender identity, giving different gender identities the opportunity to be represented under labels under the standard male or female. Lastly, activism has contributed to the shift of gender identity gaining otherwise unattainable visibility to those who identify other than male or female. 

In conclusion, the distinction between genders is an established boundary that has shifted. The differentiations have expanded further than male and female. This shift is owed to the progressive newer generations with their media influence, legal advancements, and their advocacy. With these contributions to the shift, I would not be surprised if shifting any further.