New Books in Science, Technology, and Society

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

Dec 10, 2024
Reem Hilu, Assistant Professor of Film and Media Studies at Washington University in St. Louis, discusses her book on the intimate life of computers in the 1980s. She highlights how home computers were designed to strengthen family bonds and the often-overlooked influence of women's culture on personal computing. Hilu introduces the concept of 'companionate computing,’ revealing how technology addressed emotional needs in domestic life. The conversation also touches on feminist media history and the challenges of transforming academic research into a compelling narrative.
Ask episode
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes