Juniper Tremper
Scientific Writing 105-19
Geneseo, NY
~170 words
A Cyborg, A Stump, and A Counterproductive Feminist Idea
Juniper Tremper
The beginning of A Cyborg Manifesto describes the deteriorating boundaries of “what counts as nature.” Donna Haraway’s lengthy metaphor of a cyborg as a genderless being analyzes the usefulness of such an existence, and states outright that they could be an “imaginative resource suggesting some very fruitful couplings.” In other words, there are advantages to embracing cyborgs because their neutrality unbinds them from our traditional loyalties to politics and parents. Haraway references the importance another professor places on “the limits of identification,” and elaborates that the gender labels we abide by are limiting boundaries, by inadvertently creating inescapable sexual objectification. She proceeds to explain that “transgressed boundaries” are also beneficial when applied to the dissonance between genders: that labels marginalize what effects would be possible in a “cyborg society” where dissimilar people “hold together… long enough” to achieve a common goal. In such situations, ignoring labels improves their ability to unify and cooperate.
Like a tree planted to be cut down, the purpose and use of identifying “women’s history” contradicts itself.
Really enjoyed reading your perspective and explanation on Haraway’s article. Good job!
The use of quotes throughout your piece is coherent and allows you to effectively support what Haraway’s main argument is. Additionally, your ideas remain objective and intuitive, well done.
I had a hard time understanding quite a bit of this reading, but your summary really helped clear up some of my fuzzier points. Thank you for the great explanation.
Your summary explains each argument throughout the reading briefly without taking away from its meaning and your connection back to your original blog post is also very helpful in understanding the significance of Haraway’s piece.