A public lecture by Professor Sarah Sharma (University of Toronto)

‘Insufferable Tools: Feminism Against Big Tech’: a public lecture by Professor Sarah Sharma (University of Toronto)

Respondents: David Hesmondhalgh (University of Leeds) and Jo Littler (Goldsmiths, University of London).

Chaired by Jilly Kay (Loughborough University)

Followed by a drinks reception.

Hosted by the Centre for Research in Communication and Culture and the Flagship Institute for Culture and Society.

Kindly supported by the European Journal of Cultural Studies.

In a world seemingly run by the whims and power plays of Musks and Zucks, Insufferable Tools cuts to the core of modern technology’s gendered politics. Sarah Sharma challenges the idea that the Big Tech broligarchs are neutral utilitarians who view technology as mere tools. She shows instead how these tech giants have turned the internet, and, increasingly, “real life” into a set of environments which they cultivate and manipulate to wield the real tools: us, the users. Sharma critiques a popular system of inclusion she calls “Big Tech Feminism” that attempts to incorporate and make useful people of color, queer people, and others who are seen as broken machines in the current gendered power structures. Deconstructing Big Tech’s patriarchal deployment of media theory to gain and maintain power, Sharma proposes a feminist techno-politics that can forge new futures free from the grip of the truly insufferable tools.

The talk will be followed by responses from Professor David Hesmondhalgh and Professor Jo Littler, and audience Q&A.

Drinks reception to follow.

Description supplied by the event organiser.