arrogance from the status quo

.forum - week eight.

In the exciting to conclusion to ‘gender in music technology,’ everyone again got to have his or her say on the topic. I entered with a open mind; I hear new things. Stephen introduced the topic once again, with the interesting idea of modern technology being a somewhat of a “boys toys” competition, using an amusing penis extension metaphor. While this has some truth to it, I find that socially women are more concerned with owning an up-to-date mobile phone, so once again, the line begins to blur…

Stephen Whittington presented topics like ‘technology fetishism’, cyber identity and the sexuality of cyborgs. To hear these modern subjects addressed by someone of Stephens generation is really rare, and it is refreshing to hear his learned outlook. Generally as far as I get with technology and baby-boomers, is teaching them to lock/unlock their new phones that they’ll probably never use. It is a pity there is no forum on this topic!

Bradley Leffler started things off this week, with a look at Kraftwerk. As with many of the presenters, he began by stepping back and exploring the fundamental, historical differences between a man and a women. Though all these presenters are obviously correct in that, I feel that since we were in the caves, even since 50 years ago, humans have changed (evolved?) a great deal (psychologically at the least). My point here is that though I myself believe in evolution, comparing the man-ape to the modern computer user is somewhat absurd. In fact what we today are doing with the computer, is difficult to compare to... anything.

Laura Gadd presented the lyrics of such artists as Pink, Eminem and Kylie Minogue. She tried to represent these as ‘typical’ emotions for each gender type however (as I am sure subsequent speaker Peter Kelly would attest to) these were pop-culture saturated lyrics. So even if these singers did happen to feel that way, I doubt they even wrote those lyrics themselves. So really, who cares what some male record company executive says about female emotions through some young singer? Sure, I made that scenario up, but who knows if it is true or not? Who knows anything more about these musicians than you can buy there new hit as a crap sounding ringtone for $3.95?

After Ben Cakebread broke the ice very nicely by performing one of the all time great “Bohemian Rhapsody” on the piano, I was a little disappointed that his presentation was really just a Queen worship session. Nevertheless, I dig Queen; all is forgiven.

It’s been an interesting topic where much light has been shed, however I still feel that ‘gender in music technology’ is something that will not be understood for some years to come.

.sources.

Whittington, Stephen 03.05.07, “Gender in Music Technology,” Forum of the EMU, University of Adelaide.

Leffler, Bradley 03.05.07, “Gender in Music Technology,” Presentation of the EMU, University of Adelaide.

Gadd, Laura 03.05.07, “Gender in Music Technology,” Presentation of the EMU, University of Adelaide.

Cakebread, Ben 03.05.07, “Gender in Music Technology,” Presentation of the EMU, University of Adelaide.

Kelly, Peter 03.05.07, “Gender in Music Technology,” Presentation of the EMU, University of Adelaide.