Author: Taylor W.

Embracing all of humanity

Taylor W.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Donna Haraway’s “Cyborg Manifesto” and Janelle Monae’s album “Dirty Computer” both deal with themes of identity and resistance to a marginalized system. Presenting themselves as “the other” or those who do not conform to societies standard instead making their own path, by finding strength in their differences. These standards being classified by human vs. machine, gender, and race. To them these are held in place to oppress the marginalized groups. Haraways cyborg symbolizes the resistance and Monae’s “Dirty computer” reflects on the struggle of those who resist societal expectations. These works offer empowerment to those who believe embracing ones own self identity rather than uniformity. 

 In Haraway’s “Cyborg Manifesto” she portrays the cyborg as a hybrid human/machine that blurs the line between societal norms. The cyborg being part human and part machine is transcending human capabilities and not limiting . Her cyborg challenges the idea that technology is dehumanizing people but rather expand our human abilities. She also challenges the idea that Ai is negative/corrupting/impure. She aligns with the idea that technology is good/helpful because only propels the human race further. For example advancements in technology has led humans to making scientific breakthroughs so that we can live long lives . In Monae’s song Dirty computer it is a metaphor for someone who is impure based on societies standards. By rejecting the idea of purity she exemplifies that people shouldn’t have to fit into categories for identity. This song celebrates the uniqueness and power people hold when the diverge from these standards set by society. Throughout the album is like a journey of acceptance, by embracing the “dirty” she explains this is what make being a human so beautiful. We are able to be multifaceted so many different forms like technology. In Monae’s song “Django Jane” she is celebrating her Afrofuturistic nature and how far she’s come against the system of oppression  because of her resilience. 

Neon lights

Taylor W.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

The cyberpunk genre is defined by its blend of high-tech elements and a focus on urban and societal decay, merging aspects of noir with dystopian technology to create a distinctive aesthetic. This interplay between advanced technology and a deteriorating environment is vividly portrayed in both Blade Runner and Neuromancer. Each work depicts dystopian cities illuminated by neon lights, where high-tech innovations coexist with low-life conditions, raising questions about the impact of technological advancement on society.

In Blade Runner, the city is portrayed as an advanced, densely packed metropolis. Its skyline is a maze of towering skyscrapers, neon lights, and advertisements juxtaposed with crumbling buildings. This stark contrast highlights the disparity between technological progress and the deteriorating human conditions. The luxurious headquarters of the Tyrell Corporation, for example, stands in sharp relief against the rundown streets where replicants and humans struggle to survive. The main character Deckard, is tasked with hunting down rogue replicants using advanced technology, which serves to enforce control in a world where ordinary people continue to face bleak, challenging lives.

Similarly, Neuromancer presents Chiba City as a gritty, neon-lit metropolis characterized by its towering concrete structures. This depiction underscores the advanced technology embedded within the city while simultaneously reflecting the harsh reality experienced by its inhabitants. The novel contrasts this with the Matrix, a vast digital environment representing the pinnacle of human technological achievement. In the Matrix, technological sophistication is contrasted with the physical world’s poverty and chaos. The protagonist, Case, navigates this high-tech realm while grappling with his own survival in the marginalized, crime-ridden Sprawl, further emphasizing the genre’s exploration of technological contrasts and societal issues.

Through these depictions both Blade runner and Neuromancer explore th impact of technological advancement on society. These texts offer an eye opening perspective on how technological progress can create new challenges for individuals in these dystopian worlds.

Engaging the disengaged

Taylor W.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Art from an WSJ article ‘Can we Save Our children from Smartphones’ depicting children’s attachment to their devices
https://www.wsj.com/articles/can-we-save-our-children-from-smartphones-03eaf449

Boundaries shift based on your life experience. I believe for every season of your life there is something new and different that you modify about yourself. You as a person are constantly evolving. In my generation technology plays a huge role. I recall being in Kindergarten having to take a computer course that taught me how to type and the fundamentals of a computer. For instance, how to use all of the different Pc applications. 

One example of an establish boundary that I’ve shifted towards is my boundary with technology as a whole. These days, you can almost find out everything about someone based on their social media presence. I don’t want to be that “one stereotypical person” but in all honesty I feel like the internet has done irreparable damage to my generation. I feel like its too pervasive.

I was prompted to make this change based on being in Quarantine. At a time where my anxiety was at an all time high and I spent my days endlessly scrolling on the interweb. I thought how can I be more productive? As corny as it seems I went on a walk, in an effort to break from my constant immersion in technology. On this walk I decided to not take my earbuds and just walk listening to nature. My earbuds are like my emotional support crutches. They force me into an imaginary bubble. I hated how anti-social I had became. During the walk in my suburban dallas neighborhood I saw the usual things like trees, grass, and birds. But I also noticed something,  a stark contrast. As I was walking I came across people my age and some older people. Most of the people my age were out walking their pets with their faces were glued to their phones. They might have looked up occasionally to check their path/walk across the street. And the older people were way more engaged “living in the moment” and even spoke greetings. From then on I made the decision to live my life more “engaged”. While technology has it benefits, I realized that the overuse can be disengaging.