New Books in Science, Technology, and Society cover image

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.
29:12

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Quick takeaways

  • The podcast emphasizes the underrepresented role of women's culture and feminist critique in shaping the evolution of personal computing during the 1980s.
  • The concept of 'companionate computing' illustrates how early home technologies redefined family dynamics and facilitated new forms of interpersonal relationships within domestic spaces.

Deep dives

The Intersection of Gender and Technology in Media

The exploration of gender's influence on technology's development is central to understanding computing's domestic role. The discussion highlights how historical narratives often exclude women's experiences and perspectives in the evolution of digital media. In the 1980s, early computing technologies, such as interactive dolls, began integrating into domestic spaces, challenging the notion that technology is a male-centric domain. This emphasis on gender in technological storytelling reveals the need for a more inclusive history that recognizes how women's cultural practices have shaped the technology landscape.

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