Comparative Writings

Communication
Computer and Technology > Technology
English > Analysis
English > Comparison
Gender and Sexuality > Gender Studies

This paper compares two articles about the role of technology in the society: "A Cyborg Manifesto: Science, Technology and Socialist-Feminism in the Late Twentieth Century" by Donna Haraway and "Technological or Media Determinism" by Daniel Chandler.

1,155 words () | 2 sources | MLA | 2006 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the influence of gender in the writing of these two works and the effectiveness of the given text in relating the information to the reader. The author points out that both Donna Haraway and Daniel Chandler argue that in the world so filled with technological advancements it is very hard to separate the human component from the technological. The paper relates that Haraway expresses extreme feminist ideas in her work; however, Chandler's work is not gender-based at all. The author relates that Haraway is very allegorical and attempts to bring up images of genderless, machine-like women to make her point clear; on the other hand, Chandler avoids the allegories, providing a more informative rather than speculative outlook on the subject.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Comparative Analysis
Contrast Analysis
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Chandler applies the technological progress and cultural development to the world in general and outlines how these trends shape the society and what forces contribute to the humans' desire for progress. Haraway, who is very subjective, focuses on one group of people in particular - women. The basis of her work is the gender-defined society where progress does not serve to unite but rather separate the people into gender and class, therefore outlining a very socialist idea of inequality and strives for such. Haraway seeks to make a point about the seeming lack of such equality in today's world and how it ties in with the technological progress."

Sample of Sources Used:

Haraway, Donna. "A Cyborg Manifesto: Science, Technology, and Socialist-Feminism in the Late Twentieth Century." New York: Routledge, 1991. Pp 149-181. 13 Nov. 2006<http://www.stanford.edu/dept/HPS/Haraway/CyborgManifesto.html>.
Chandler, Daniel. "Technological or Media Determinism" 2000. 13 Nov. 2006 <http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/tecdet/tdet10.html>.