Edith Cowan University Research Online Theses : Honours Theses 2004 The Body and Technology in Popular Culture Przemyslaw Psuj Edith Cowan University Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons Part of the Critical and Cultural Studies Commons Recommended Citation Psuj, P. (2004). The Body and Technology in Popular Culture. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/955 This Thesis is posted at Research Online. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/955 Edith Cowan University Copyright Warning You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own research or study. The University does not authorize you to copy, communicate or otherwise make available electronically to any other person any copyright material contained on this site. You are reminded of the following: Copyright owners are entitled to take legal action against persons who infringe their copyright. A reproduction of material that is protected by copyright may be a copyright infringement. A court may impose penalties and award damages in relation to offences and infringements relating to copyright material. Higher penalties may apply, and higher damages may be awarded, for offences and infringements involving the conversion of material into digital or electronic form. .. The Body and Technology in Popular Culture Przemyslaw Psuj Bachelor of Arts in English with Honours School of International Cultural and Community Studies Edith Cowan University 11 August 2004 USE OF THESIS The Use of Thesis statement is not included in this version of the thesis. 2 ABSTRACT: The human experience of the world today is increasingly adapted and understood via technological terms and systems. This thesis analyses and ex.amines the ways in which technology today impacts upon the human body and its capacities in the area of subculture and music. Also considered are the implications of this notion for the future. Primarily my study stems from theory proposed by Donna Haraway (1985) and her image of the cyborg und its inherently hybrid nature. Picking up on this point, I will look specifically at the existence and representation of the hybrid body in popular culture. Some critics fear a technological takeover resulting in a supremacy over the body; Horkheimer and Adorno (1944) make the criticism that technology is the tool of domination over the body and culture. In contrast, Redhead (1997) and Best (1997) suggest that the splice of human and 'machine' is necessary for the future survival of the body, and that this survival is most often found in sub-cultures using similar technology as elements of popular culture. Indeed technology is viewed as an enhancement to the body. At the same time this thesis does not cry "all hail technology", but examines the approaches taken to the body by technology in various aspects of popular culture on a case-by-case basis. In other words, both the pitfalls and benefits are considered in each respective instance. 3 I certify that this thesis does not, to the best of my knowledge and belief: (i) incorporate without acknowledgement any material previously submitted for a degree or diploma in any institution of higher education; (ii) contain any material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the text; or (iii) I I August 2004 Przemyslaw Psuj The author would like to thank Dr. Susan Ash for her help and perseverance and his family and wife for their continued support and encouragement. 4 Table of Contents Page Title Page 2 Abstract 3 Access Declaration and Acknowledgments 4 Contents 5 IntroCuction Chapter One: Cybernetic Politics in Pop Culture 8 (i) Haraway, "A Cyborg Manifesto" M Man & Machine. to (ii) "They say it got smart" (The Tenninator, 1984)- Science Fiction and Techno Anxiety. 13 (iii) Horkhcimer and Adorno, "Culture Industry as Mass Deception". 17 (iv) "No hope but what we make for ourselves", (Terminator 2, 1991)- Haraway suggests the cyborg be celebrated. 19 (v) Steve Redhead- "Clubcultures". Chapter Two: Commodification of the Body in Pop Culture 23 (i) Introduction to Vocal and Tonal Enhancement. 29 (ii) "Live" Performance. Chapter Three: Underground Dance Music Culture 33 (i) Advances in Technology for Independent Musicians. 35 (ii) Negotiating Cybernetic Politics Between 'Cultures'. 38 (iii) Technology Manifest in Dance Music Culture. 42 (iv) Cultural Exchange Programming. 44 Concluding Remarks 45 Bibliography 5 Introduction: The primary goal of this thesis is to explore the relationship between the body and technology in popular culture, specifically music culture. This thesis is largely based on the early work of Donna Haraway (1985) and her essay "A Cyborg Manifesto". Although this piece is now dated, its relevance is maintained by the sheer size and influence of technology in pop-culture. Chapter I introduces the theories and reviews how overarching ideas develop. Initially the term cyborg is located and identified as relevant to the argument, therefore the dualistic idea of the relationship between the body and technology and the way in which that dualism is evident in popular culture. Culturally this idea is evident in popular science fiction film, such as The Termi1wtor (1984). This film literally demonstrates the kind of anxieties about technology that Haraway ( 1985) discusses in her theory- a dehumanisation of the body by technology. Similarly the even earlier work of Horkheimer and Adorno (1944) comes to the fore in the particular context of music culture. They suggest that technology is aligned closely with a rationale of economic domination, and therefore a domination of bodily traits/ideals such as choice and spontaneity. In counterpoint to ideas of technology as a threat, Haraway ( l985) suggests that technology is itself arbitrary, its benefit or detriment to humanity is only limited by the way it is used, and therefore must not be inherently linked to a 'demise' of the body. Indeed she suggests that the body/technology hybrid can be positive and beneficial. Stemming from this point, Best (1997) and Redhead (1997) locate this argument within the context of music sub-culture; specifically dance music culture. They identify the terms pop and sub and differentiate between them. They then go on to illustrate that sub is in fact a kind of resistance to pop, and that technology is in this instance used as a tool of that resistance. Thus the enhancement of the body by technology in underground dance music culture serves to empower that body, not dominate it; be it performer or audience. Best (1997) also highlights the notion that there is always an exchange between sub and pop music culture and that both spheres actually benefit each other mutually. 6 Chapter 2 examines instances of technology in pop music culture, particularly as it is used to promote the body as a medium for sales of pop music. The overarching idcu of vocal and tonal enhancement is introduced and discussed, as are specific examples of modem technology used to achieve this enhancement. Madonna is used as an example of an artist that utilizes such enhancement to obtain a particular result and impact from her music. The idea is also introduced that live performance is affected depending on how much technology has influenced the initial music creation process. Further examples of Madonna's Drowned World Tour demonstrate just how closely her body is linked to technology during a 'live' performance. Finally Chapter 2 discusses the marketing 'package' that is pop music, and how technology is used to enhance the sound of artists and the way they look in video clips, photos, etc. To this end Horkheimer and Adorno's (1944) theory emerges as wholly relevant- the body becomes incidental to achieve a sound and image that is sellable. Chapter 3 looks at technology and its application in underground dance music culture. Primarily this sub culture has flourished as a result of advances in technology for independent musicians. For example such developments us analogue to digital interfacing have resulted in enhanced accessibility and production capacities for a single producer. While a studio of synthesiscrs and drum machines is well out of price range for the average musician, computer software has allowed almost universal access to electronic music production. This in tum has resulted in a great flow of ideas and creativity. Furthennore, the aesthetic in underground dance music differs from that of pop music. The music is primarily created for dancing- not for image. The example of Anthony Rother in live perfonnance is given as a contrast to Madonna. The focus of his performance is on the music, not on the artist. Indeed the world underground dance music differs in aesthetic from that of pop by its very structure. Largely proliferated by the Internet, this subculture is made of small independent labels, each with a different creative vision of music. Thus, there is greater scope for individuality and experimentation. Importantly, however, pop and sub are not regarded as polar opposites, but rather as mutual beneficiaries. This is illustrated by the example of Madonna's use of Mirwais, a long time member of the dance music underground, to produce her album. 7 Technology thus becomes the tool through which music continually advances and evolves, be it for a pop aesthetic or one of sub culture. 8 Chapter 1: Cybernetic Politics in Popculture 1: Haraway, "A Cyborg Manifesto"~ Man & Machine. 'Duality' is a key idea in analysing the relationship between the body and technology. Haraway (1985) has argued that this relationship, both materially and conceptually, constitues what can be called a cybernetic organism- or cyborg. At first glance the term cyborg draws an immediate association with popular science fiction. However, what may appear at first to be a narrow and shallow semantic scope is in fact a broad and incisive theoretical approach.