What is a cyborg? It is interesting that this question is being asked during the whole unit. In our readings, Haraway explains that cyborg is a hybrid of machine organism. Moreover, she believes that there would be no separations between bodies and objects while suggesting that people should undermine the dualities by actively exploring the possibilities of blurring the boundaries.
In this digital age, honestly, it is true that we are highly relying on technology nowadays. As for me, it is really a tough question that if I am a cyborg. Or, am I totally a cyborg? In fact, I can hardly live without the technology already. For instance, I tried to be stopped my network service due to delay of handling my payments. Suddenly, I felt so lost because it seemed to be losing the connection among my friends and family. I indeed felt that it was so insecure without the technology. Also, when I am using the technology, I believe that they are useful and also beneficial to my life. For example, when I use the digital camera, I can zoom to where I cannot normally watch. This is really good for us when attending the concert. At that time, I actually used camera as my eye and also my brain. Since it captured what I want to focus, it can also save in the memory card for my future use. Thus, the advanced technology really help me a lot and just like what Haraway said that I am a cyborg that is a hybrid of machine organism.
In this digital age, honestly, it is true that we are highly relying on technology nowadays. As for me, it is really a tough question that if I am a cyborg. Or, am I totally a cyborg? In fact, I can hardly live without the technology already. For instance, I tried to be stopped my network service due to delay of handling my payments. Suddenly, I felt so lost because it seemed to be losing the connection among my friends and family. I indeed felt that it was so insecure without the technology. Also, when I am using the technology, I believe that they are useful and also beneficial to my life. For example, when I use the digital camera, I can zoom to where I cannot normally watch. This is really good for us when attending the concert. At that time, I actually used camera as my eye and also my brain. Since it captured what I want to focus, it can also save in the memory card for my future use. Thus, the advanced technology really help me a lot and just like what Haraway said that I am a cyborg that is a hybrid of machine organism.
Certainly, with the advanced technology, it has already developed an influential relationship between the human. However, is technology as important as in developing country when compared with the developed countries? It seems that cyborg is better described a relatively privileged and advantaged class. Then this leads to a good question that does this term already imply the message of duality? It still clearly shows the power imbalance in the digital age. Thus, can it successfully break down the boundary of the dualities in the future? It is still in a huge controversy.
On the other hand, usage of blogs is a feature of this unit. It creates an alternative learning opportunities to us. It also can prove that how important the technology is. If we do not have a computer or laptop, as well as without the internet access, we can hardly participate in this learning community.
In fact, I had the habit of writing blog in Xanga. Gradually, the daily post turned to the monthly and even seasonally posting. Today I almost forget the password of Xanga. However, I am addicted to playing Facebook. I read the news feed of my friends every day rather than writing blog these days. Thus, this unit provides me a good chance to rewrite the blog and a great platform of sharing the ideas among my classmates. This leads to more understanding about me as well as my classmates. In fact, it is believed that learning from sharing. It is then a good way to learn more through the sharing on the blog. In addition, blog provides a place for us to express our idea freely of which enhance our confidence and creativity. Thus, I can gain a lot from writing blogs here.
Apart from the blogging, I have some new experience in this course. It has offered a number of issues of identity, gender and regulations in cyberspace during the learning. The most interested me should be the difference of performativity of gender in cyberspace communities. It is pleased that I am participated in the presentation of week 11 which talked about work and play. Our group focused on the topic of work. In the reading of Gregg, she suggested that women’s sense of self and identity have been changed with the help of technology such as the scheme of “working from home” and “We See” in the Microsoft advertisements. However, she finally pointed out that so-called flexibility and choice to the women still are so limited. The power imbalance in cyberspace is still so obvious. This leads to disappointment among our classmates that the duality in gender could hardly break down even if there is a more advanced technology.
Of course, the lectures have inspired me in some specific issues. It has provided an opportunity to explore my identity in a new way. Besides, there are some discussions during the lecture as well as the tutorial class. It enhanced the communication between the schoolmates while sharing our opinion openly and freely. In some issues, for example, virtual ethics, this can lead to a vigorous debate due to different ethical stand among the people. Thus, sharing different ideas, in a certain extent, can let more understanding ourselves while creating a good learning atmosphere. Thus, I indeed enjoy this unit.
Source:
Gregg, Melissa. “The Normalization of Flexible Female Labor in the Information Economy” Feminist Media Studies 8.3 (2008): 285-99.
Haraway, Donna.”A Manifesto for Cyborgs: Science, Technology, and Socialist Feminism in the 1980’s, The Haraway Reader, New York and London: Routledge (2003) 7-45.
On the other hand, usage of blogs is a feature of this unit. It creates an alternative learning opportunities to us. It also can prove that how important the technology is. If we do not have a computer or laptop, as well as without the internet access, we can hardly participate in this learning community.
In fact, I had the habit of writing blog in Xanga. Gradually, the daily post turned to the monthly and even seasonally posting. Today I almost forget the password of Xanga. However, I am addicted to playing Facebook. I read the news feed of my friends every day rather than writing blog these days. Thus, this unit provides me a good chance to rewrite the blog and a great platform of sharing the ideas among my classmates. This leads to more understanding about me as well as my classmates. In fact, it is believed that learning from sharing. It is then a good way to learn more through the sharing on the blog. In addition, blog provides a place for us to express our idea freely of which enhance our confidence and creativity. Thus, I can gain a lot from writing blogs here.
Apart from the blogging, I have some new experience in this course. It has offered a number of issues of identity, gender and regulations in cyberspace during the learning. The most interested me should be the difference of performativity of gender in cyberspace communities. It is pleased that I am participated in the presentation of week 11 which talked about work and play. Our group focused on the topic of work. In the reading of Gregg, she suggested that women’s sense of self and identity have been changed with the help of technology such as the scheme of “working from home” and “We See” in the Microsoft advertisements. However, she finally pointed out that so-called flexibility and choice to the women still are so limited. The power imbalance in cyberspace is still so obvious. This leads to disappointment among our classmates that the duality in gender could hardly break down even if there is a more advanced technology.
Of course, the lectures have inspired me in some specific issues. It has provided an opportunity to explore my identity in a new way. Besides, there are some discussions during the lecture as well as the tutorial class. It enhanced the communication between the schoolmates while sharing our opinion openly and freely. In some issues, for example, virtual ethics, this can lead to a vigorous debate due to different ethical stand among the people. Thus, sharing different ideas, in a certain extent, can let more understanding ourselves while creating a good learning atmosphere. Thus, I indeed enjoy this unit.
Source:
Gregg, Melissa. “The Normalization of Flexible Female Labor in the Information Economy” Feminist Media Studies 8.3 (2008): 285-99.
Haraway, Donna.”A Manifesto for Cyborgs: Science, Technology, and Socialist Feminism in the 1980’s, The Haraway Reader, New York and London: Routledge (2003) 7-45.
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