Difference between revisions of "325--2011--Week 12 Questions/Comments"
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Maines’ discussion of Social Camouflage of Technology is very interesting. In talking about the vibrator, she states that “the camouflage of the apparently sexual character of such therapy was accomplished through its medical respectability and through creative definitions both of the diseases for which massage was indicated and of the effects of treatment, (118).” What other products on the market today share the same camouflage? -- Mike Roche | Maines’ discussion of Social Camouflage of Technology is very interesting. In talking about the vibrator, she states that “the camouflage of the apparently sexual character of such therapy was accomplished through its medical respectability and through creative definitions both of the diseases for which massage was indicated and of the effects of treatment, (118).” What other products on the market today share the same camouflage? -- Mike Roche | ||
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| + | I think Maines makes an interesting point about the “social camouflage” of certain consumer items. Her examination of the vibrator’s social camouflage definitely supports the claim that “technologies are socially ‘constructed’” (Pursell 116). Maines states, “I shall argue here that the electromechanical massage of the female genitalia achieved acceptance during the period in question by both professionals and consumers . . . because it maintained the social camouflage of sexual massage treatment through its associations with modern professional instrumentation and with prevailing beliefs about electricity as a healing agent” (117). I agree with Sara that Maines’s argument would have had more credibility had she expanded on “social camouflage.” The advertisements that Maines discusses definitely help camouflage the purpose of the vibrator. One ad calls a vibrator, “‘A Gift That Will ''Keep'' Her Young and Pretty’” (Pursell 125.) Also Maines notes, “Sexuality is never explicit in vibrator advertising; the tone is vague but provocative” (Pursell 125).—Samantha W. | ||
