I strayed away from any particular focus with these articles. I know very little about technology so I thought it might be something interesting and relevant to explore. Conversely, feminism is something I feel passionately towards so the feminist air in each article is what drew me in.
Row, Karen. "Edinburgh Cow Parade 05-2006" 05/23/2006 via Flickr. Attribution License
1. What is the debate, disagreement or argument in the story about? Explain concisely, but with specificity and precision. Name specific people, places, things, events, dates, times and/or other identifying details.
In "Hacking Technology's Boy Club" Anna Weiner utilizes the thoughts of engineers, Ellen Ullman and Leslie Miley, to demonstrate the lack of change in the makeup of the engineering industry. She argues that if engineers were not primarily made up of white men, the world of technology would look very different. Not only is sexism rampant but also the expanse number of technological possibilities are not reached due to a lack of diversity. With diverse bodies of people come diverse ideas.
In "'Fat' Barbie Could Be Our New Cultural Muse" Mona Awad argues that it is not in the hands of the corporations or the general public to change societal norms regarding body image but rather in the hands of those who play. When the imagination behind games played with babies changes, society will begin to change. When 'fat' Barbie is no longer called 'fat' Barbie, society will change.
2. Who is the most sympathetic character in the story? Who are they? How are they involved? Why do they evoke feelings of sympathy from you?
Ellen Ullman is the most sympathetic character in the story. As she describes her experience dealing with the sexist backlash after the publication of her essay The Bug I feel the nastiness of her experience. As a woman in a STEM field, she must deal with this backlash frequently. But as she describes the "more and more ugly postings" in response to the publication of her essay, it is difficult not to be angry with the sick patriarchy rampant in our society.
The author is the most sympathetic character. As she illustrates her struggle with her body image as the images she saw did not reflect her own image, so many readers can relate on an intimate level. The pain of feeling ugly and out of place can be so huge. The ease with which the reader can relate, makes her struggle very sympathetic.
3. Who is the least sympathetic character in the story? Who are they? How are they involved? Why can't you easily sympathize with them?
The men responding to Ullman's essay are the least sympathetic. They create a feeling of hatred within the reader. How can such a crucial industry be so limited? How can people be so inconsiderate? How can people be so thick headed? Their involvement in the stagnation of the technology industry is sickening.
The Barbie industry is the least sympathetic. It is difficult to sympathize with the people causing the pain in little girls who cannot find beauty in their own image. They perpetuate negative body images. Because this has become such a horribly relevant issue in our society, I find it much too difficult to sympathize.
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