The Intimate Life of Computers

Reem Hilu's "The Intimate Life of Computers" explores the integration of personal computers into American homes during the 1980s, focusing on their impact on family relationships.

The book challenges traditional narratives of computer culture, highlighting the role of women's culture and feminist critiques in shaping the development of personal computing.

Hilu introduces the concept of "companionate computing," examining how computer applications addressed the emotional and relational needs of users.

By analyzing software, advertisements, and cultural discourse, the book reveals the surprising ways domesticity and family life influenced the early stages of digital culture.

The book ultimately demonstrates how technology and social change intertwined in the 1980s.