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The construction of technological reality: An analysis of dominant and feminist discourses in the Public Service Communications Satellite Project
Abstract
Twentieth century American society is frequently identified in terms of the presumed effects of communications technology, e.g. "The Computer Revolution," "The Information Age," and "The Knowledge Explosion." In addition to providing a commentary on cultural identity, naming an 'age' according to communications technology illustrates how these empirical objects extend into creating a conceptual environment which frames our perception of reality. That is, they also function as "idea-objects." Consequently, they express a way of 'thinking' the world as well as a way of 'doing.' The purpose of this study is to examine how the discourse surrounding a particular technology, communications satellites, promotes a cultural identity which perpetuates gender power relations. Discourses on communication satellites representative of texts from the Public Service Communications Satellite Project (1977) provided data for the study. The government text refers to NASA documents on this project. The feminist text is associated with the Women's Satellite Project. In order to examine both structures of power and knowledge claims embedded in the texts, a critical discourse analysis of discursive procedures was used. Those discursive procedures most relevant to the government text were: (1) referentiality, (2) a-contextuality, (3) valorization of speed, growth, efficiency, progress, productivity, and profit, and (4) passification of the public's role. Since communications technology is a 'way of thinking' the world, these discursive procedures are also representative of a dominant discourse of knowledge, instrumentalist rationality. Those procedures most representative of the feminist text were: (1) envisioning a women's future, (2) historicizing women's struggles, (3) expression of community, (4) contextualization, and (5) resistance to prescribed ways of thinking. While also manifesting a discourse of knowledge, it was more relevant at this stage to discuss two principles basic to feminist epistemology, self-definition and activism. The findings of this study indicate that communications technology is a cultural artifact that can be used to examine the concretization of epistemological positions. In addition, it documents how through the intersection of multiple, seemingly benign discourses, communications technology exerts a form of cultural influence which persists in fostering knowledge, values, and institutions which are oppressive to women.
Subject Area
Mass communications|Womens studies|Language|Remote sensing
Recommended Citation
Yanni, Denice Ann, "The construction of technological reality: An analysis of dominant and feminist discourses in the Public Service Communications Satellite Project" (1991). Doctoral Dissertations Available from Proquest. AAI9132937.
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations/AAI9132937