Fifty shades of CHI: The perverse and humiliating human-computer relationship

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingsChapterpeer-review

Abstract

This paper presents a critical lens on the nature of the relationship between people and contemporary technology. Specifically, the form and language of erotic BDSM romance fiction, a genre that deals specifically with the nature of power in relationships, and which has proved extremely popular recently, are used as a means for provoking reflection on the nature of power in the human-computer relationship. Three sexually explicit scenarios are presented, in which technology is portrayed in a dominant and controlling role, highlighting the often subservient and apologetic nature of human interaction with technology. We suggest that readers offended by graphic and explicit descriptions of sexual behaviour do not read further than this abstract.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCHI EA 2014
Subtitle of host publicationOne of a ChiNd - Extended Abstracts, 32nd Annual ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery
Pages825-832
Number of pages8
ISBN (Print)9781450324748
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014
Externally publishedYes
Event32nd Annual ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI EA 2014 - Toronto, ON, Canada
Duration: 26 Apr 20141 May 2014

Publication series

NameConference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings

Conference

Conference32nd Annual ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI EA 2014
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityToronto, ON
Period26/04/141/05/14

Keywords

  • BDSM
  • Design fiction
  • Erotica
  • Values sensitive design

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