6. Haraway’s ‘Manifesto’ is a political text generated from socialist feminism in the 1980s. In what ways have feminists taken up her radical ideas since then?
Cayden Mak, (2010) ‘Cyborg Theory, Cyborg Practice’ (11 May 2010) The Outlet. http://electricliterature.com/blog/2010/05/11/cyborg-theory-cyborg-practice/ (accessed 7 September)
This blog developed the ideas presented in Haraway’s Manifesto and extends them further by discussing transgender politics and how it relates to cyborg ideas. ‘Cyborg Theory, Cyborg Practice’, references Haraway’s work as well as feminism of the 1980s. In particular, the history of feminism that excluded transgendered individuals from participating in the movement. Cayden Mak argues that transgendered bodies are the perfect embodiment of cyborg ideas because technology plays a huge part in the way in which they experience their bodies. Taking apart your body and altering it with science, is a cyborgian experience, it is argued.
This source is useful as it is not only of a very high standard but is also a deeply personal account. The blog makes careful reference to and analysis of Haraway’s work. It is not only a critical source but it is also evidence of a feminist adopting the radical cyborg ideas and extending these ideas into contemporary thought and issues. It is clear in this blog that Haraway’s work continues to stimulate ideas and discussion. Despite the fact that Haraway excluded ideas of transgender in her original manifesto, her ideas are apparently still relevant when discussing these topics.
Hayles, Katherine N. (2006) ‘Unfinished Work: From Cyborg to Cognisphere’ Theory, Culture & Society, vol 23, no 7, http://tcs.sagepub.com/content/23/7-8/159.full.pdf+html (accessed 7 September 2010).
This article argues that not only was Haraway’s ‘Manifesto’ groundbreaking the 1980s, but it continues to be used and reworked in the academic world. Hayles states that the ‘Manifesto’ is still being cited thousands of times and contemporary feminists, to relate to issues in the twenty-first century, have morphed her ideas. Despite the criticism expressed in the previous source discussed, that the ‘Manifesto’ excluded issues of transgender politics, this article suggesst that it is becoming increasingly relevant. Hayles states that the influence of intelligent technology means that, as a society, we must re-evaluate the ideas of human agency and control.
Though the article suggests that perhaps the cyborg is not the most compelling or comprehension metaphor, it is a starting of point for the work that needs to be done. Haraway’s ‘Manifesto’ stimulated discussion on ideas of non-binaries and therefore should be taken into account when expanding on feminist ideas in the twenty-first century. This article is of a high standard and was published in the last five years. It is relevant, well referenced and uses Haraway’s 1980 work as well as her more recent research. It does however focus more on abstract concepts of technology and gender and does not discuss in depth contemporary feminism in real terms. Despite this, it is a useful source for evaluating the effect of the ‘Manifesto’ in contemporary academic thought.
VNS Matrix, http://lx.sysx.org/vnsmatrix.html, (accessed 7 September 2010)
Despite the fact that this website is small and poorly kept, it is evidence that the ideas presented Haraway’s ‘Manifesto’ continued to be explored in the later part of the century. One of few links on the website is to an informal history of the group written by one of its four members. In this history Francesca da Rimini, discusses the writing of their ‘Cyberfeminist Manifesto for the 21st Century’ in 1991. She states that there were two versions of their manifesto, one, which appears on the page, and another that she is yet to scan.
There are obvious limits to this source. The website is apparently not regularly updated and is by no means of an academic standard. However it is evidence of a development of ideas stemming from Haraway’s work in the 1980s. The website also has hidden links to other websites that are also dealing with themes and concepts that were first addressed in Haraway’s ‘Manifesto.’ Though this website is not useful in terms of researching the artistic movement itself, it does contain a copy of their manifesto and therefore evidence of cyborg theory in the 1990s.
Fernandz, Maria, (2003) ‘Cyberfeminism, Racism and Embodiment’, Domain Errors, http://refugia.net/domainerrors/DE1b_cyber.pdf (accessed 7 September 2010)
‘Cyberfeminism, Racism and Embodiment’ discusses the issue of race in contemporary feminist thought. It specifically looks at new modes of feminism that focus on technologies and the future of thought. This 2003 article uses Haraway’s ‘Manifesto’ as a foundation for the article and refers back to the main themes and concepts represented by Haraway. Fernandaz states that there is a lot of interest in issues of race and gender in cyberspace in the academic world and that a lot of this research has been linked to feminism. This source critiques aspects of Haraway’s work why still basing the bulk of the research on the main points put forward in the 1980s.
The presence of this article itself is not only evidence that Haraway’s concepts have been taken up by contemporary feminists but also that the ideas are still be discussed in broader academia. Fernandz also makes reference to many artistic groups and groups of thought that have been build on the founding ideas of Haraway. This source is scholarly, thorough and evidence in itself of the ongoing discussion and adoption of Haraway’s 1980s ideas.
Paasonen, Susanna, (2005) ‘Surfing the Waves of Feminism: Cyberfeminism and its others’ http://vsites.unb.br/ih/his/gefem/labrys7/cyber/susanna.htm (accessed 8 September 2010)
This source traces the evolution of feminism after the Cyborg Manifesto was published. It links the term 'Cyberfeminism'to the Australian artistic group VNS Matrix and discussing how the movement stemmed from concepts of cyborgs. This article traces the concept of the cyborg throughout academic and post-modern thought. The focus is on the critique of works of self-titled ‘Cyberfeminists’ and attempts to establish a definitive meaning for the word. Similar to the views of Maria Fernandez, Paasonen states that many young men and women who avoid identifying as feminist are seemingly more willing to associate with the new ‘Cyberfeminsim’ label.
This article as well as ‘Cyberfeminism, Racism and Embodiment’ suggests that Cyberfeminsim has not only developed from a reaction to twentieth century feminist thought, but has also based a lot of its key ideas and concepts on Haraway’s Manifesto. ‘Surfing the Waves of Feminism’ suggests that the evolution of feminism has led to a new school of thought that still needs to be questioned and constantly reassessed. This source is well referenced and researched. It also offers a link to the author’s page and her other works.
No comments:
Post a Comment