It was interesting to hear our class
debate the merits of Dougherty’s comments on gender and play during last week’s
discussion. Depending on your perspective, Dougherty was either redeemed or denied
credibility on his assertion that gender expectations should not impede a child’s
desire to play with the toys that spark their imaginations best. Can Dougherty
authoritatively speak on the issue of gender and making, particularly when the
movement he has cultivated is so male-dominated and male-oriented? This
discussion point harkened back to earlier discussions we have had about women
feeling unwelcome in makerspaces based on the atmosphere, the tools available,
or even the facilities (i.e. bathrooms) that are accessible to them. Ultimately,
the ability of the maker movement to be more inclusive towards women depends on
the conceptions and definitions it allows about itself. Do activities that fall
under categories like crafting, traditionally done by women, constitute making?
The Lilypad Arduino video by Becky
Stern answers that question with a resounding, “YES!!” Stern gives a methodical
overview of how to embroider LED lights powered by an Arduino onto a piece of
fabric. Her step-by-step overview of how to sew on the Arduino and code the light
pattern (as the Arduino is coded to direct the electricity it receives from an embroidered
battery pack) illustrates how embedded systems can be used to enhance
traditionally feminine pursuits like sewing, embroidery, or dressmaking. Including
the skills associated with these pursuits and delivering an innovative twist on
them proves the argument that these skills belong under the maker umbrella.
Furthermore, the hybridity of embroidery with Arduino creates an access point
that might otherwise be left abandoned. Ensuring access to maker technology is
critical, according to Massimo Banzi, the founder of Arduino, who makes the
case that “if you’re not able to participate in the world of creation, in the
digital space, you’re left out, somebody else is going to design your world.”[1]
For women and other people who might not fit the masculine paradigm of what a
maker “is” or considered “to be”, it is of high importance to emphasize that
the skills that Becky Sterm demonstrates in her video are applicable to maker
technologies like the Arduino. This emphasis has the potential to break those
paradigms, or what Banzi refers to as “the answer to a question” [2] that no
one is debating. One of the important themes that we should take away this week
is how innovation not only engenders revolutionary products but also
revolutionary mentalities that displace old ones.
--
[1] Banzi, Massimo. "Massimo Banzi: Building Arduino." Computer. Interview by Charles Severance. January 2014.
[2] Banzi, "Massimo Banzi: Building Arduino," 2014.
See Gradecraft for feedback. :)
ReplyDeleteI really like how you made connections between the class discussion with the next week's "reading." I often struggle with the concept of making as I read Dougherty about what constitutes making because he often mentions new technological based making versus traditional crafting. I too enjoyed how Beck Stern showed how to bridge the gap between the two. I also often wonder too if the reason stereotypically feminine crafts/making/artistry is absent or not emphasized in the maker movement is the very fact they are traditionally associated with women. When I see gender neutral toys for children, I can't help but think they are just "boy" toys rebranded. I'm not sure I've ever seen a babydoll rebranded to be a gender neutral toy. I think there are still subtle prejudices and for that reason, in the answer to your question about can Dougherty authoritatively speak on making a gender, the answer is no, but I think the fact that he is talking about it is a good in that it shows he is open to discussion which is a step in the right direction.
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