Author: Mya J.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Blade Runner describes a dystopian future Los Angeles in 2019. The story follows Rick Deckard, a “blade runner” who is tasked with hunting down and killing rogue bioengineered beings known as replicants. These replicants, are designed to be virtually indistinguishable from humans, that have escaped to Earth seeking to extend their limited lifespans. The film is filled with rain and darkness. Neon signs illuminate the cityscape, casting a colorful, otherworldly glow that contrasts starkly with the dark reality of its people. The towering skyscrapers, like the Tyrell Corporation’s headquarters, symbolize the dominance of oppressive powerful corporations in this future world, while the streets below highlight the socioeconomic disparity. This contrast of high-tech advancements with urban decay illustrates the message the film is creating showing the impact of technology on society and human experience.

Neuromancer, written by William Gibson, is a seminal cyberpunk novel that follows Case, a washed-up computer hacker who is hired by a mysterious employer, to pull off the ultimate hack. After being double-crossed, Case is given a new lease on life with cybernetic enhancements and a chance to avenge himself. He partners with a street-samurai named Molly and navigates a high-tech world filled with artificial intelligences, corporate power, and cyberspace. The novel explores the blurred lines between human and machine. Specifically in the book, Chiba City, Japan is a chaotic and vibrant city. Chiba City is described as a place where “neon and chrome” dominate, with streets abundant in both advanced technology and societal decline. For example, Case, navigates a world filled with cutting-edge technology, yet he lives in a rundown apartment, reflecting his lower socio-economic status, while coming in contact with high-tech systems in his cybernetic escapades.

Both works use these urban settings to explore themes of technological advancement, corporate control, and social decay. The neon lights and towering skyscrapers in Blade Runner and Neuromancer not only create a visually striking contrast but also symbolize the great influence of technology and corporate power. Both Blade Runner and Neuromancer depict expansive dystopian cities characterized by neon lights, towering skyscrapers, and a mix of advanced technology and impoverished elements, reflecting the core elements of the cyberpunk genre.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Haraway’s “Cyborg Manifesto” and Janelle Monae’s Dirty Computer offer compelling explorations of identity, particularly in the context of fluidity and societal constraints. Haraway argues for a post-gender world, emphasizing that identities can be hybrid and multifaceted. In contrast, Dirty Computer portrays a dystopian society that punishes non-conformity, highlighting the struggles faced by individuals who defy rigid categories.

In “Django Jane,” Monae powerfully embodies Haraway’s vision of fluid identity. The lyrics emphasize self-empowerment and resistance against societal norms, with lines such as “I’m a black woman / I’m a cyborg,” reflecting the hybrid identity Haraway advocates. This celebration of intersectionality aligns with Haraway’s assertion that the cyborg represents a break from traditional identities, embracing complexity rather than binary thinking.

Furthermore, the theme of surveillance in Dirty Computer mirrors Haraway’s critique of how technology can oppress as well as liberate. The track “Crazy, Classic, Life” highlights the pressures to conform, with Monae singing about societal expectations that stifle individuality. The line “You’re a dirty computer / You’re not gonna make it” suggests that deviation from norms is viewed as a malfunction, resonating with Haraway’s notion that technology can enforce rigid identities.

Monae’s use of sci-fi imagery throughout the album reflects Haraway’s ideas about technology as a means of reimagining identity. In the song “Pynk,” Monae embraces queer love and femininity, with lyrics celebrating the beauty of non-conformity. The visual aesthetic of the accompanying music video, featuring vibrant colors and fluid movements, creates a space where traditional gender roles are dismantled, paralleling Haraway’s call for embracing multiplicity.

Additionally, the overarching narrative of Dirty Computer illustrates the consequences of societal repression. The concept of being “dirty” serves as a metaphor for those who exist outside conventional norms. Haraway writes about the potential for cyborgs to subvert dominant ideologies; similarly, Monae portrays the fight against a world that seeks to categorize and control. In “Americans,” she critiques the treatment of marginalized individuals, echoing Haraway’s emphasis on the importance of challenging societal norms.

In conclusion, both Haraway’s essay and Monae’s album invite us to reconsider our understanding of identity. Through specific songs and themes, Monae reflects Haraway’s vision of a fluid, post-gender reality while simultaneously warning of the dangers of a society that punishes difference. Together, they urge a reimagining of identity that embraces complexity, fluidity, and empowerment in the face of oppression.