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last.updated 2.16.09
Literature & Technologies
Purpose
Many texts–produced
with an array of media–have been composed depicting how we use technology
now and how we might use it in the future. Arguably, these texts make
arguments about the current technologies that we use, as well as those
of us who use the technologies. Therefore we will examine a work of fiction
and a similar narrative that is supposedly true. Through our examination
of these texts we will work toward understanding how the representations
of technology converses with reality of technology.
Discussion: Going Online
As a class we will discuss the following questions:
- What questions did you have about the readings?
- What is Winterson's argument? What is the point of the book?
- What does this text teach us that technology is capable of?
- What role does the technology play in her text? Is it important? superfluous?
- What does the structural metaphor say about the text? technology?
- How does Alex's ("Strange Case...") experience compares to Ali's (Powerbook)?
- Alex's deception predates the ubiquity of the Internet. How do you think this situation shaped future online experiences? future representations of online experiences?
- Would you describe Ali or Alex as a cyborg? Why or why not?
Workshop and Q&A
The last part of class will be used to give the students an opportunity to raise questions about the Metaphor Analysis, any of the readings, or anything we discussed in class thus far. Any extra time will be used to allow you to work on the Metaphor Analysis.