notesdontmatter

Forum – Wk 7 – “Gender in Music Technology, Can you tell the difference?”

Ben Probert, Douglas Loudon, Amy Sincock, Jacob Morris:

Utilising his increasing knowledge and insight in reference to the historically male dominated discipline of music education, Ben highlighted some valid points that may contribute to the lack of women in present day music technology. In particular, I thought the issue of expectation and prejudgement placed upon someone of specific gender entering a competitive field generally reserved for the opposite could be a major factor influencing one’s initial decision. After all, if it is assumed that the work one produces is always going to be judged harshly as a result of something irrelevant (gender) before it’s even begun, then those lacking the courage to present their work to such a hostile society may seek other friendlier outlets for expression. Not all women have the relentless drive and confidence of Germaine Greer but I’m sure many have just as much to say.

It is therefore unfortunate that we see fewer women involved in this section of music society. We are surely missing out on the benefit of talent and originality that many who have shied away from the field may have had to offer. Such is the current situation however, but maybe things will improve with time..


Douglas Loudon I believe unintentionally created a monster of audience participation, which threatened to turn into another mess of simultaneous loud debating and opinionated rhetoric. Perhaps presenting an opportunity for the crowd to intervene without giving himself the chance to first present and articulate his points was the can opener? All the same, it seemed to flow with some continuity into Amy’s presentation whose approach was somewhat similar.


Amy remarked on her longing for a utopian society in which concerns of gender equality are obsolete, as all are judged fairly on the merit of the talent they have to offer. This sounds wonderful but is far from the case in society as we know it. I know feminists can seem overbearing and ruthless in their pursuits at times, and some of them may well be over the top when it comes to certain observations and assumptions that they may make, but they aren’t always behaving that way without reason. If we look just a little into our own political past, inequality between genders was once what would today be regarded as completely unacceptable. Women didn’t gain the right to vote by sitting on their hands and dreaming of a world above such injustice. They continuously rallied, fought and tried their best to raise awareness of the fact that the injustice actually existed. I think that often an aggressive well researched and articulated statement is necessary to get people that have the power to enforce change to realise that there is a need for it at all. At the end of the day it’s usually men that inhabit positions of influence and if you don’t shout they’ll just keep on tinkering. I guess one problem with enticing women into such influential positions is that all the aggression and peacock strutting involved puts them off major protesting and politics in the first place. I’m straying a little from music technology but it’s all relative..


Jake, which flavour do you prefer?


Reference:

Stephen Whittington. “Gender in Music Technology, Can you tell the difference?” Workshop presented at EMU space, Level 5, Schultz building, University of Adelaide, 26th April, 2007.

Ben Probert. “Gender in Music Technology.” Student talk presented at EMU space, Level 5, Schultz building, University of Adelaide, 26th April, 2007.

Douglas Loudon. “Gender in Music Technology.” Student talk presented at EMU space, Level 5, Schultz building, University of Adelaide, 26th April, 2007.

Amy Sincock. “Gender in Music Technology.” Student talk presented at EMU space, Level 5, Schultz building, University of Adelaide, 26th April, 2007.

Jacob Morris. “Gender in Music Technology.” Student talk presented at EMU space, Level 5, Schultz building, University of Adelaide, 26th April, 2007.

posted by David J Dowling @ 3:58 PM