summery

Lest We Think the Revolution is a Revolution

            A short time ago, I read chapter 16 in “Lest We Think the Revolution is a Revolution,” by Cynthia L. Selfe.  Through close reading and contemplating I have gained a new intellectual outlook towards the way Americans use technology.  Many Americans would describe computers as a blessing because they have the ability to provide equal opportunity to all. Selfe would disagree and backs her argument up with different advertisements found on the Internet.  “Like most images, they tell rich and powerful stories about the social contexts in which they are produced.” (P. 294) In other words Selfe believes a picture is worth a thousand words, and the advertisements provided strongly back just how far America still has to go in order to achieve the status of a utopia.

            As many of us already know, America is a global leader to the rest of the world.  Due to the popularity of the Internet, Selfe expressed a slight amount of concern over our country losing its current economic benefits.  In order to prevent this from happening, America has taken on the position of “discovers” and “suppliers” to the world.  Because the internet provides an instant connection to the rest of the world, people have the opportunity to receive glimpses from around the globe.  Unfortunately, what people come across may likely be a false interpretation of what is really accruing in the rest of the world.  One advertisement that I came across was a women from a third world country who was nursing both a chimp and a baby.  If you did not know any better, you may believe this is an accurate photograph of an African woman.  Though it seems that technology is taking us to new places, we seem to be stuck in the same old stereotypes.

            Conventional wisdom claims that America is the land of opportunity, but according to Selfe, “America is the land of opportunity only for some people.” (P. 304) In making this comment, Selfe is urging the point that success does not come at the same price for everyone.  Although some American will deny this claim, experiences with poverty, and the different school graduation rate for Black, White and Hispanic people enforce what Selfe is saying.  Our country has struggled for many decades trying to destroy these barriers, but technological advertisements seem to be stuck in the sixties.  Two separate software advertisements that Selfe provided strongly back this claim.  Each one only showing completely white people where one photo includes a man and his dog, and the other is a “normal” family outside their brand new house.  Obviously if Americans expect to really be “the land of opportunity,” it needs to be expressed so in all fashions. 

            It seems with technology, gender plays no difference.  Both men and women have an equal capability of operating it at ease.  Surprisingly though, it seems that technology is presented more to a man’s view verse a women’s.  In mathematical and computer fields men highly outnumber the amount of women.  Selfe was strictly under the influence that internet advertisements play a large conclusion to this fact.  Women are often symbolized as mothers and seductresses, so it was anticipated that computer advertisements portrayed these rolls.  One photograph I stumble upon was a naked woman hugging a computer.  Usually in no way does this advertisement stand out to other women.  In order for our society to reach utopia standards, gender stereotypes must stop.  This can only happen if the internet stops reinforcing old fashioned ideas.  

Selfe himself writes, “For the world to have a future, we must work together as one tribe.” (P. 295) Selfe is implying that that the world is a shared place, mixed with many different diverse outlooks.  Although each and every person holds there own cultural beliefs, this should not prevent equal opportunities.  Although America is an economic leader, it is outrageous that this single country takes up 80 percent of the worlds resources.  For a bright future, “things” must change.  It takes every countries corporation to achieve world peace, but just one country can create war.

According to Selfe, “Americans are the canny and sophisticated minds behind the text, behind the image, behind the technology. We are the designers, the providers, the village benefactors.” (P. 299) Because of this, Selfe is implying that computers still can only provide an Americanized version of the rest of the world.  Although what we see may look realistic, keep in mind it is an American interpretation.