Reem Hilu, "Digitizing Domesticity in the 1980s: The Intimate Life of Computers" (U Minnesota Press, 2024)
New Books in Critical Theory
Deep Dive
What is the central theme of Reem Hilu's book 'The Intimate Life of Computers'?
The book explores how home computers in the 1980s were designed to sustain heteronormative middle-class families by shaping relationships between users, emphasizing the influence of women's culture and feminist critique on personal computing despite women's underrepresentation in the industry.
What concept does Reem Hilu introduce to explain the role of computers in family relationships?
Hilu introduces the notion of 'companionate computing,' which reimagines the spread of computers into American homes as a history of interpersonal, romantic, and familial media that integrates computing into family dynamics.
How did Reem Hilu's research uncover the domestic history of computing?
Hilu conducted extensive research through digital archives, newspaper and magazine articles, and visits to physical archives like the Strong Museum of Play, focusing on how computers were integrated into family life and relationships during the 1980s.
What were some early anxieties around the introduction of personal computers in the home?
Early anxieties centered on the gendered perception of computers as masculine technologies entering a feminized domestic space, potentially disrupting family relationships and distracting men from their familial responsibilities.
How does Reem Hilu's work relate to other histories of computing?
Hilu's work expands on existing histories by focusing on the domestication of computers and the influence of feminist critiques on personal computing, challenging the over-emphasis on hobbyist culture and masculinity in earlier narratives.
What was one surprising discovery Hilu made during her research on relationship software?
Hilu discovered that even non-feminist relationship software, like the program 'Interlude,' referenced therapeutic culture to legitimize themselves, showing how broader societal shifts in intimacy and sexuality influenced the development of such technologies.
What advice does Reem Hilu offer for turning a dissertation into a book?
Hilu advises that the key to transforming a dissertation into a book is developing a clear through line or central argument that ties the entire work together, which may not be immediately apparent during the dissertation process.
What is Reem Hilu's next research project about?
Hilu's next project will explore the intersection of games and therapy, examining how gaming logics have shaped therapeutic technologies and discourse, focusing on the historical arc of media as relational and therapeutic tools.
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