

157 Mangrum's Comical Computation (JP)
Oct 2, 2025
Ben Mangrum, an MIT professor and author, explores the intersection of comedy and computing in his latest work, revealing how humor can address the anxieties of obsolescence faced by knowledge workers. He discusses how computers challenge traditional romantic dynamics, leading to queer interpretations of relationships. Delving into historical proto-robots and 19th-century minstrel performance, he highlights their influence on modern portrayals of technology. Mangrum also examines the authenticity dilemmas posed by AI-generated content in today’s media landscape.
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Comedy As Cultural Toolbox
- Ben frames comedy as a pervasive but understudied genre shaping public attitudes toward computing.
- He argues comedy functions as a cultural toolbox for experiencing and interpreting computing technologies.
Desk Set Discovery
- Mangrum recounts discovering The Desk Set as the first Broadway appearance of a computer.
- The play's romantic-comedy genre surprised him and redirected his research.
Obsolescence Targets Knowledge Work
- Mangrum highlights obsolescence as classed and especially relevant to knowledge workers.
- He connects computing to persistent anxieties about expertise and professional judgment being threatened.