Difference between revisions of "325--2011--Week 12 Questions/Comments"
From McClurken Wiki
(→Pursell reading) |
|||
| Line 23: | Line 23: | ||
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. | 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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Maines' point on social camoflage was extremely interesting. I had not considered it before but her explanations made perfect sense. The idea that the vibrator began as a medical instrument, and was disguised as one for so long made perfect sense. Although our ideas on sexuality are much more liberal than the 18 and 1900s, I'm sure there are other products in today's society that are still camoflaged, I am just curious which ones. --Meagan B. | ||
