New Books in Critical Theory cover image

New Books in Critical Theory

Reem Hilu, "Digitizing Domesticity in the 1980s: The Intimate Life of Computers" (U Minnesota Press, 2024)

Dec 10, 2024
Reem Hilu, an Assistant Professor of Film and Media Studies at Washington University in St. Louis, discusses her book, which explores how 1980s home computers were designed to support traditional family structures. She reveals how these technologies shaped intimate relationships, from enhancing couple dynamics to providing companionship for lonely children. Hilu emphasizes the often-overlooked contributions of women in tech, illustrating how feminist critique influenced personal computing, transforming it into a tool for navigating domestic life.
29:12

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The podcast highlights how 1980s home computers were framed to sustain heteronormative family dynamics, reshaping domestic relationships while marginalizing women's contributions to technology.
  • The concept of 'companionate computing' illustrates that early personal computing not only served practical functions but also influenced intimate connections and evolving gender roles within domestic settings.

Deep dives

The Intersection of Gender and Technology

The discussion highlights the relationship between gender and technology, particularly focusing on the impact of computing on domestic life in the 1980s. The speaker explores how early computer technologies were often gendered, predominantly viewed as tools for male hobbyists, which marginalized women's roles and interests in this emerging digital landscape. This gendered narrative continued to shape societal perceptions of technology's place within the home, contributing to underlying tensions in family dynamics. The concept of 'companionate computing' emphasizes how technology not only serves functional purposes but also influences interpersonal relationships within domestic settings.

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