Theory & Philosophy Wendy Chun's "Software and Memory" (Part 1 of 2)
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Nov 30, 2024 Explore the fascinating distinctions between software and hardware, highlighting the fleeting essence of software. Dive into how capitalism shapes our digital experiences and identities, challenging the idea of personal agency in a tech-centric world. Unpack the duality of technology as both a means of empowerment and manipulation, revealing its effects on personal identity. Engage in a lively debate over writing’s impact on understanding, while examining the historical gender dynamics in technology and the societal biases reflected in modern digital contexts.
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Software's Intangibility
- Software is the intangible programming underlying user interfaces, often perceived as ephemeral and mystical.
- This perception contrasts with hardware's physicality, creating a perceived binary.
Internet's Vastness
- The internet's vastness makes it hard to grasp, like the blind men and the elephant anecdote.
- Scholars often focus on software, the "invisible hole," to understand its sensuous parts.
Software as Anti-Metaphor
- Software, despite its complexity, has rigid functional requirements.
- It serves as an unreliable metaphor for the mind, an "anti-metaphor."