Author: Jenna L.

Monae, Donna, & the Theme of Gender Idenity

Jenna L.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Though it sounds far-fetched, Jenelle Monáe’s album Dirty Computer resonates with the ideas framed in Donna Haraway’s essay Cyborg Manifesto especially as it pertains to the themes of gender identity, its fluidity and the push to resist oppression. For Haraway’s Cyborg Manifesto, Harraway offers a vision of a post-gender world in which identity is fluid. Haraway champions for the breakdown of the rigid boxes that categorize the human idea of identity and emphasizing fluidity beyond traditional binaries of gender, race, and species, which is what Monáe brings to life with her album Dirty Computer. Monáe’s album is a celebration of black queer feminist resistance against the oppression, racism, and misogyny in modern society. It’s important to note that Monáe herself is a queer woman who identifies as pansexual and is non-binary, opting to use pronouns of they/them or she/her. In an interview on the American talk show Red Table Talk. Monáe stated, “I’m non-binary, so I just don’t see myself as a woman, solely,” She added, “I feel all of my energy. I feel like God is so much bigger than the ‘he’ or the ‘she.’ If I am from God, I am everything. I am everything, but I will always, always stand with women.” In addition to that, Monáe explained that she’s attracted to people based on their energy, rather than their gender or sex. Dirty Computer uses many of her real life experiences as a queer woman to pull first hand inspiration for the album. In Janelle Monáe’s Dirty Computer: An Experience Immersed In Musical Activism written by Lucas Cava. Cava details the core details of Monáe’s album as it represents a love letter to black queer America, it shows them support in a society where they’re often the marginalized and demonized group. The dystopian world depicted in Dirty Computer mirrors Haraway’s concept showcasing a society where non-conforming individuals face persecution and fight with different forms of resistance.  Overall, Monáe’s Dirty Computer not only aligns with Haraway’s vision but also provides a strong viewpoint on the realities of those who are often marginalized identities within society.

The Founding Fathers of the Cyberpunk Genre: Exploring the Related Themes of Blade Runner & Neuromancer

Jenna L.
Reading Time: 3 minutes
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is HD-wallpaper-neon-city-cyberpunk-night-vivid-649x1024.jpeg
A beautiful yet ominous cyberpunk neon city

If Blade Runner (1982) is considered the quintessential cyberpunk film, then Neuromancer by William Gibson is the quintessential cyberpunk novel! In the reigns of the cyberpunk genre, these two works illustrate the ways in which the use of futuristic gadgets, the creation of artificial intelligence(AI) and complex characters juxtaposed with social dystopia not only define the cyberpunk genre but grapple with profound questions about the nature of what it truly means to be human. 


Blade Runner (1982) and Neuromancer both seemingly focus on the similar theme of what it means to be human. In Blade Runner, the use of Replicants, human-like artificial beings created to serve for slave labor in a variety of roles, are used as a vessel for the film to explore what it truly means to be human. The replicants in the film grapple with the dilemma of trying to figure out their own sense of identity and autonomy. An example of this being how one of the replicants, Roy Batty, the leader of a renegade replicant group that hijacked a shuttle and traveled to Earth, sought out trying to extend his lifespan beyond the replicant four year limit. Batty’s quest for a longer life symbolizes a deeper search for his purpose and showcases self-determination, which is a human trait even though he’s an artificial being. What ultimately drives the point home is toward the ending of the film as Batty is about to die, Batty’s final monologue where he reflects on his own experiences and mortality, serves as an evoking moment that blurs the line between human and artificial life. 

Meanwhile in William Gibson’s Neuromancer, the use of (AI) and cyberspace are the central elements that explore what it means to be human. For starters, the two AIs twins, Wintermute and Neuromancer, are used to interrogate the theme of identity and consciousness as it relates to being human. In the novel, Wintermute’s goal is to merge with Neuromancer to become a super AI. Wintermute is like a human brain lobe with the ability to have great thought, but has very limited function. However, if merged with Neuromancer, would be a very powerful AI. In pursuit of the goal, Wintermute turns to calculating tactics resulting in the manipulation of events and people, such as manipulating Case’s thoughts and using vessels to communicate. An example being, communicating through Case’s memories by taking on the likeness of those in them. This raises questions about the nature of AI consciousness and how far the AI would go to reach its goal. Gibson depicting Wintermute’s strong pursuit to merge with Neuromancer shows the idea that AIs could possess the same complex desires and ambitions similar to actual human beings. Now, as it pertains to cyberspace also known as “The Matrix,” it serves as an arbitrary representation of the relationships between data systems and humanity. It’s in a way what someone would call a, “consensual hallucination” that showcases a somewhat symbolic view of data and its pathways, functioning as an extended “electronic” human nervous system. To ad onto that, Case’s fusion into cyberspace changes his sense of self and reality, depicting how digital environments can ultimately reshape human identity. 

To wrap up this analysis, both Blade Runner (1982) and William Gibson’s Neuromancer are quintessential to the cyberpunk genre and explore the theme of what it really means to be human. This is done through the innovative depictions of artificial beings and advanced technology while simultaneously taking the time to expand on the critical reflections of the crossing of power and personal identity as it ties into an ever rapidly yet evolving dystopian world. Blade Runner provides visuals to express this using the idea of replicants, while Neuromancer delves into the implications of AI and the subconscious fight of the human identity as it intersects with technology. Together, these two works are the key holders to the creation of the cyberpunk genre! 

Invasion of the AI Body Snatchers

Jenna L.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Robots sit next to a confused human as they prepare for work.

In more recent years, we’ve seen an increase in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Usage ranging from mundane tasks like organizing a shopping list to extraordinary things like being used in healthcare systems and helping with medical diagnosis. Although the use of technology can bring great change, it does create a cause of concern for many individuals. Many are worried about their invasion of privacy, that the common job will soon be replaced with AI or maybe even the world as we know it! 

As someone who is still quite skeptical of AI, it does worry me that most private platforms use AI or incorporate it in some kind of way. I’m not exactly sure what prompted this AI surge as it integrated with other forms of media, but if I’m being honest, I’m not a big fan. For example, AI has integrated itself into personal social media platforms or workspaces such as Google, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, etc. I believe the shifting boundary began as AI was able to gain personal knowledge and invade privacy in a way that’s so scary it often blurs the lines between what’s humanly done and what’s not. Recently, I’ve seen a rise in “AI covers” where songs use AI to replace the original singer’s voice with a model that sounds like another artist. In some cases it can be quite funny, however, in many instances it can be terrifying especially with the accuracy of the newly generated voice. To add on to this, I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen Deep Fake videos. Deep Fakes are AI crafted media where one person’s face is constructed onto another person’s body, they’re highly convincing yet entirely synthetic videos. AI-generated fake videos are becoming more common (and convincing). Here’s why we should be worried written by Ian Sample, delves into the concept of Deep Fakes, its problem and how they can be spotted. It’s important to note that many AI Deep fakes are used for scams to deceive individuals.  

Combine Deep Fakes, AI voice generating programs and chatGPT with video synthesis and in about another year or so, you could be videoing, chatting, and working with a fully AI generated person and not even know it! This AI “person” could get hired at the same company that you do and potentially work there for years without being detected. And before you know it the AI “person” has gained the skills and knowledge to move up the corporate ladder, become the boss, then the CEO, take over the company, hire more robots, fire all humans, declare war and cause the end for all mankind!! Ok, enough of the freaky horror movie talk, I try not to be too paranoid, but it really does make me wonder how much AI will seriously affect us in the near future.