PosthumanBodies

UnnaturalActs:
TheorizingthePerformative
SueEllenCase
PhilipBrett
SusanLeighFoster
Thepartitioningofperformanceintoobligatoryappearancesandstrictdisallowancesisacomplexsocialcodeassumedtobenaturaluntilrecentnotionsof
performativityunmaskeditsoperations.Performancepartitions,strictlyenforcedwithintraditionalconceptionsofthearts,foregroundthegesturesofthedancer,but
ignorethoseoftheorchestraplayer,assignsignificancetotheelocutionoftheactor,butnottotheutterancesoftheaudience.Thecriticalnotionofperformativityboth
revealsthesepartitionsasunnaturalandopensthewayfortheconsiderationofallculturalintercourseasperformance.Italsoexposesthecompulsorynatureofsome
ordersofperformance.Theoppressiverequirementsofsystemsthatorganizegenderandsexualpracticesmarkwhomaywearthedressandwhomayperformthe
kiss.Further,thefashionofthedressandthecolorizingoftheskinthatdonsitaredisciplinedbysystemsofclassandrace.Theseculturalperformancesarecritical
sitesforstudy.
TheseriesUnnaturalActsencouragesfurtherinterrogationsofallvarietiesofperformancebothinthetraditionalsenseofthetermandfromthebroaderperspective
providedbyperformativity.

PosthumanBodies
editedbyJudithHalberstam
andIraLivingston
INDIANAUNIVERSITYPRESS
BloomingtonandIndianapolis

1995byIndianaUniversityPress
Allrightsreserved
Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedorutilizedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,includingphotocopyingandrecording,orbyany
informationstorageandretrievalsystem,withoutpermissioninwritingfromthepublisher.
TheAssociationofAmericanUniversityPressesResolutiononPermissionsconstitutestheonlyexceptiontothisprohibition.
ThepaperusedinthispublicationmeetstheminimumrequirementsofAmericanNationalStandardforInformationSciencesPermanenceofPaperforPrinted
LibraryMaterials,ANSIZ39.481984.
(
ManufacturedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica
LibraryofCongressCataloginginPublicationData
Posthumanbodies/editedbyJudithHalberstamandIraLivingston.
p.cm.(Unnaturalacts)
Includesindex.
Romanizedrecord.
ISBN0253328942(alk.paper).ISBN0253209706(pbk.:alk.paper)
1.Body,HumanSocialaspects.2.Body,HumanSymbolicaspects.
3.Body,Human(Philosophy)4.Bodyimage.5.Sexsymbolism.
6.Sexualityinpopularculture.7.Humanism20thcentury.
8.Postmodernism.I.Halberstam,Judith,date.
II.Livingston,Ira,date.III.Series.
GT495.P671995
391'.6dc20
9445934
12345009998979695

Pagev

Contents
Preface

vii

Acknowledgments

xi

Introduction:PosthumanBodies

JudithHalberstamandIraLivingston
PARTI

Multiples

ONE

IdentityinOshkosh

23

AllucquereRosanneStone
TWO

TwoLessonsfromBurroughs

38

StevenShaviro
PARTII

SomeGenders

THREE

TheEndoftheWorldofWhiteMen

57

KathyAcker
FOUR

ClassandItsCloseRelations:IdentitiesamongWomen,Servants,and
Machines

73

AlexandraChasin
FIVE

SoftFictionsandIntimateDocuments:CanFeminismBePosthuman?

97

PaulaRabinowitz
SIX

ReproducingthePosthumanBody:EctogeneticFetus,SurrogateMother,
PregnantMan
SusanM.Squier

113

Pagevi

PARTIII

Queering

SEVEN

TheSeductivePowerofScienceintheMakingofDeviantSubjectivity

135

JenniferTerry
EIGHT

PhantomandReelProjections:Lesbiansandthe(Serial)KillingMachine

162

CamillaGrigger
NINE

DeathoftheFamily,or,KeepingHumanBeingsHuman

177

RoddeyReid
PARTIV

TerminalBodies

TEN

ReadingLikeanAlien:PosthumanIdentityinRidleyScottsAlienandDavid
CronenbergsRabid

203

KellyHurley
ELEVEN

TerminatingBodies:TowardaCyborgHistoryofAbortion

225

CarolMason
TWELVE

OnceTheyWereMen,NowTheyreLandcrabs:
MonstrousBecomingsinEvolutionistCinema

244

EricWhite

Contributors

267

Index

270

Pagevii

Preface
PosthumanBodiesisacollectionofessaysthattakesup,inamostlyaffirmativeway,variouschallengestothecoherenceofthehumanbodyasafigurethrough
whichcultureisprocessedandoriented.Intheessaythatopensthisvolume,wearguethataposthumanconditionisuponus,andthatnostalgiaforahumanist
philosophyofselfandother,humanandalien,normalandqueerismerelytheechoofabattlethathasalreadytakenplace.Thisargumentisnotatruthclaimbut,like
thetitleofthevolumeitself,anopeninvitationtoengagediscursiveandbodilyconfigurationsthatdisplacethehuman,humanism,andthehumanities.Aswewillassert,
suchengagementscomefromtheexperiencethattheauthorizationthattheseidentitiesseemtooffercomesattoohighapriceatthepriceofrenderingunintelligible
muchofwhatmatterstous.Theusofthispronouncementandwhatisatstakeinitwillbeconstantlyunderrevisionintheessaysthatfollow.
Likeus,mostofthecontributorstothisvolumecomethroughthehumanitiesdiagonally,asitwereneitherquitebeginningthere,norquiteleavingthembehind.
Theessaysclusteraroundfilmandliterarystudies,culturalstudiesofscienceandsciencefiction,feministandqueerstudies,butmultipleotherresonancesand
disjunctionscharacterizerelationswithinandamongvolume,sections,andessays.Typically,thesedonotyieldtheglimpseofsomeutopianinterdisciplinaryspaceor
PrograminthePosthumanitiesinstead,theyshareacommitmentinpracticetohybriditiesthatresistreductiontosingleprinciplesaperversitythatisoftenenacted
throughdiagonalresistancestostandardacademicdiscourse.Whilethismayseemanannoyanceorevenafailureoforganiza

Pageviii

tionalrigortosomereaders,itisforbetterandworseaprimaryanimatoroftheassemblageofPosthumanBodies.Toputitanotherway,thepostofposthuman
interestsusnotreallyinsofarasitpositssomesubsequentdevelopmentalstate,butasitcollapsesintosub,inter,infra,trans,pre,anti.
Followingourmanifestomanqu,AllucquereRosanneStoneandStevenShaviroelaboratesomeofthemultiplicationsthatcharacterizetheposthumancondition.In
IdentityinOshkosh,StoneexploreshowMultiplePersonalityDisorder,whichshefollowsthroughaWisconsinrapetrial,representsacrisisinaccountabilityand
agency,raisingpotentquestionsabouthowculturalmeaningisconstructedinrelationtobodiesandselves.Shavirosuggestsinthefollowingessaythatwecanlearn
acoupleofthingsfromWilliamBurroughsaboutthemultipleandparasiticalrelationsbetweenbodiesandpersonalities,wordsandmoney,insectsandsexualtorture.
ForShaviroasforBurroughs,Selfidentityisultimatelyasymptomofparasiticinvasion,theexpressionwithinmeofforcesoriginatingfromtheoutside.
IfthelessonsfromBurroughsandtheenterpriseofmultiplicitystillseemunclear,KathyAcker,inherinimitablebadgirlvogue,clearsupthematter:Itwasthedays
whenmenwerecuttingofftheircocksandwomenwereputtingonstrapons.Ackersapocalypticsoapoperacontinuestotakeusthroughmasochism,paranoiaand
plagiarizedsextipsforgirls,assemblingalongthewayanantiOedipalsex/gendersystemwhosesomenessalwaysmakesitthesiteofconflictingstoriesinprocess.
Thethreefollowingessaysexplorethesomenessofgenderfortheopportunitiesitoffersforexplicitlyfeministengagementswithposthumanity.AlexandraChasin
considershowIdentitiesamongWomen,Servants,andMachines(andsubject/objectdistinctionshistoricallyboundupwiththem)arerenegotiatedinvarious
humanmachineinteractions,suggestingthathumanandmachineworkingbeingsshareacommonprojectinunderminingclaimsofontologicaldifferencebetweenus.
PaulaRabinowitzexploitstheequallyshiftyboundariesbetweendocumentarytruth,cinematicfantasy,andspectatorialinvestmentinChickStrandsfilm,SoftFiction.
SusanM.Squiermovestheperformancespacefromthedarkcomfortsofthecinematotheintrauterinespaceofreproductivetechnologies,tracingtheemergenceof
anewconstellationofreproductiveimagesEctogeneticFetus,SurrogateMother,PregnantMantoassesstheirdisciplinaryfunctionsinposthumanreproduction.
EssaysbyJenniferTerry,CamillaGriggersandRoddeyReidareclusteredarounddiscursivepracticesofQueering.Terryinvestigateshowscientificdiscoursesof
sexualnormalcyanddeviancecanbeimplicatedintheconstructionofhomophobiawhileretainingaseductivepower""

Pageix

forsomegaymenandlesbians.Griggers,ontheotherhand,isinterestedinhowthemassmediasimageofthedeviantlesbianbodyfunctionsasadefinitivelimitcase
forpostmodernandposthumantechnologiesofviolentsubjectivity.Fromthedeathofapacifistfemininity,ReidshiftsthescenetotheDeathoftheFamilyasa
narrativethathasbothsucceededandfailedinKeepingHumanBeingsHuman.Reidinvertsthescaretacticsofconservativediscourseonthefamily,parodyingthe
gothicimageryofdeclineandapocalypsetosituatedeathofthefamilynarrativesintoaposthumancontext.
Theessaysthatcomprisethefinalsection,TerminalBodies,emphasizecinematicposthumanbecomingsinwhichTerminalsignalsnotasimpleendbuttermination
asanongoingcondition,aswellasindicatingtheplacewherehumanandmachineinterface,withunpredictableresults.KellyHurleysReadingLikeanAlienposits
alternativestopsychoideologicaltheoriesofthehorrorfilmthatunderstanditsfunctionasthenegotiationofculturalrepressions.Hurleyarguesthat,whilethehorror
filmworkswithintraditionalculturalnarrativesofthehuman,includingthoseofpsychoanalysis,itdoessoinordertoruptureandexceedthem,generatingnew
imagesandnarrativesofthehumanasposthumanintheprocess.InTerminatingBodies:TowardaCyborgHistoryofAbortion,CarolMasonchallengesthe
messianicstraininrecenttheoreticalconstructionsofthecyborgasasymbolforpoliticalembodiment,arguingthathistoricdivisionsbetweenclass,race,andgender
enactedinTerminatorIIespeciallythefilmsapparentcelebrationofwhitefemininityattheexpenseofblackmasculinitycompromisetheliberatorypotentialof
thecyborg.EricWhitesEvolutionistCinematendstopositbodilyfuturesasanimationsofhithertolatentaspectsofhumannature.Whitetracesseveralfilm
narrativesinwhichthehumanbodybecomesmonstrouslyotherbyemancipatingthemenageriewithin.
Wehopethisvolumewillfunctionasakindofupgradeapieceofverysoftwarethatenactsandenablesvariousinteractivities,codeswitchings,andotherpotentially
viraldiscursiveinvolvements.Whilewewaitforaselfhelpbooktotellushowtogetintouchwiththemenageriewithin,thisambiguouslypregnantsetofcautions
andexhortationswillhavetostandinforausersmanual.Goforthandmultiply.Youractualmileagemayvary.Objectsinmirrorarecloserthantheyappear.
JudithHalberstam
andIraLivingston

Pagexi

Acknowledgments
OurthanksgotoKellyHurleyandEricWhitefortheirpartinconceptualizingthisvolume,andtoSueEllenCase,SusanFoster,PhilipBrett,andothersatIndiana
UniversityPressforhelpingtomaterializeit.Forgrantingsomeofthetimeandspacetoworkonthisproject,IraLivingstonthanksthedirector,PeterCopek,and
staffoftheOregonStateUniversityHumanitiesCenter.WethankVersoPressforpermissiontopublishPaulaRabinowitzsessay,aversionofwhichappearedinher
bookondocumentaryfilm.WethankGrovePressforpermissiontopublishKathyAckersessay,TheEndoftheWorldofWhiteMen,asubsequentversionof
whichappearsastheprefacetoPussy,KingofthePirates,underthetitle,OnceUponaTime,NotLongAgo,O.

Pagex

PosthumanBodies

Page1

Introduction:
PosthumanBodies
JudithHalberstamandIraLivingston
Ifthetimeshouldevercomewhenwhatisnowcalledscience,thusfamiliarisedtomen,shallbereadytoputon,asitwere,aformoffleshandblood,thePoetwilllendhisdivine
spirittoaidthetransfiguration,andwillwelcometheBeingthusproduced,asadearandgenuineinmateofthehouseholdofman.(Wordsworth738)

NowthatWordsworthsentrepreneurialspeculationoffuturecollusionbetweenscientificandculturalproductionhaspaidoffrepeatedly,thebondmaturedandthe
stocksplitandreinvestedagainandagaintotheprofitofitsstockholders,theloyaltyofemployeesandcustomersofthehumanmonopoly(Nature/CultureSystems,
Incorporated)cannolongerbeassured.Scienceanditspoeticsidekickhavemaintainedthehouseholdofmanthroughexclusions,subordinations,exoticizations,
pathologizations,criminalizationsthusguaranteeingthatthetransfigurationthatisuponuscannotleaveintactanyofWordsworthsinterdependentterms:neither
whatisnowcalledscience,northeformoffleshandblood,northehouseholdofman.
PosthumanitiesemergenotinthehappyinterdisciplinaryfamilybusinessimaginedbyWordsworth,but(equippedwithleakedsecretsandembezzledpowers)outofa
disenchantmentthatisbothantiaestheticandantiscientific.Itisinthisvolatilemarketthatthemedical/aestheticdisciplinarymonopolyonthebodyisbeing
challenged.Iftheannouncementofthediscoverythatthebodyhasahistoryhasbecomeconventional,thefieldthatitinaugurateshasonlybeguntobeestablished.
Evenso,theemergenceofthebodyinhistory,andtherebyitspartialreifica

Page2

tionandrelativization,alsoopensaspaceforposthistoricalbodiestoestablishthemselves.
Wereallconnected,croonedarecentadcampaignforNewYorkTelephone:thatwasthekindofthingWordsworthhadinmind.Thesloganperformsan
exemplaryideo/topologicalmaneuver.Theorganicistnotionofconnectednessanditsmostextrememystification,theRomanticimaginationhadbeeninventedas
internalizationsanddepoliticizationsofdominantmaterialinterestsandtheirpower/knowledgegrid.TheadturnstheheavilylaunderedRomanticimaginationinside
outtoorganicizethecorporatebody.Theoldhumanistpartylineissublatedinthepostmodernpartyline,dogmamutatedintoafloatingmultipleconversation,
couplingsintoswitchboardslookingforwardtoanoperatorlessnetworkingthatisbothandneitherperfectfreedomandtheperfectpolicestate(which,asWilliam
Burroughsremindsus,hasnoneedforpolice).Butiftheextension,attenuation,miniaturization,andcrosswiredinterdependenceofthenetworksthatimplicatethe
bodyareControlstrategies(andtheyare),thetimehaspassedwhenresistancecouldeffectivelybeimaginedintermsofasovereign,local,manshomeishiscastle
body.Thepriceofindulgingnostalgiafortheimmediacyofedenicnakedness,orforthespontaneousandbodilyunityoftherevolutionarycrowd,istoohigh.The
urgencyfornewkindsofcoitionsandcoalitionsistoocompellinginanageofcontinuousandobligatorydiasporas.
Theconstructionistbodyisnotequaltothetaskifitismerelyacompensatoryorreactionaryopponenttothehumanistbody.Theproletarianizationorautomatization
ofthebodywithrespecttodiscursivityisananxiousreactionformationtothelossofanautonomythatwasitselfanexclusivefiction.Posthumanbodiesarenot
slavestomasterdiscoursesbutemergeatnodeswherebodies,bodiesofdiscourse,anddiscoursesofbodiesintersecttoforecloseanyeasydistinctionbetweenactor
andstage,betweensender/receiver,channel,code,message,context.Posthumanembodiment,likeHarawaysfeministembodiment,then,isnotaboutfixed
locationinareifiedbody,femaleorotherwise,butaboutnodesinfields,inflectionsinorientations....Embodimentissignificantprosthesis(195).

SignPosts:SomePosthumanNarratives
Postmodernism,poststructuralism,postcolonialism,postindustrialcapitalism:theproliferationofacademicpostismsmarkssimultaneouslythenecessaryor
regrettablefailuretoimaginewhatsnextandtherecognitionthatitmustalwaysappearastheasyetunnamablewhichispro

Page3

claimingitselfandwhichcandoso,asisnecessarywheneverabirthisintheoffing,onlyunderthespeciesofthenonspecies,intheformless,mute,infantand
terrifyingformofmonstrosity(Derrida293).Buttheroughbeastthatnowslouchestowardsthenextcenturyisnotmonstroussimplybyvirtueofitsstatusasanon
species:posthumanmonstrosityanditsbodilyformsarerecognizablebecausetheyoccupytheoverlapbetweenthenowandthethen,thehereandthealways:the
annunciationofposthumanityisalwaysbothprematureandoldnews.
Posthumanbodiesarethecausesandeffectsofpostmodernrelationsofpowerandpleasure,virtualityandreality,sexanditsconsequences.Theposthumanbodyisa
technology,ascreen,aprojectedimageitisabodyunderthesignofAIDS,acontaminatedbody,adeadlybody,atechnobodyitis,asweshallsee,aqueerbody.
Thehumanbodyitselfisnolongerpartofthefamilyofmanbutofazooofposthumanities.Intheirrecentworldtour,therockgroupU2coinedtheconceptZoo
TVandperformedthebecomingposthumanofthebodyonstageandoncamera,somewherebetweendesireandcaptivity.ZooTVwasaremarkableperformance
ofidentityinmassmediacultureforseveralreasons.Bonosvariouscouplingsonstagewithmirrors,camerasandvideoequipmentfundamentallyundermined
otherwisestablerelationshipsbetweenfanandstar,disconcertingthetechnologyofrockstardombyinsistingthatthestarisatrickofthedazzlinglights,afeedback
effectratherthananemotionalcenterthatanchorstherockperformanceintimeandspaceforeachindividualfan.
Istheperformerscreenorimage,reflectionorproduction?BycallingtherockextravaganzaZooTV,U2confusesthedistinctionbetweenwhoislookingoutorin,
whoisinthecage,wholookson,whoisexoticized,whatisrare,whoiscataloguedandhow.WemightaskhowZooTVcollapsesnatureandcultureintoeach
other,intoaplacewherecaptivityreferstoastateofdesire(fancaptivation)ratherthanastateofsiege.Butiscaptivityonscreenoroff?
TherelationbetweentheposthumanandthepostmoderninaZooTVsocietyreliesonanewtechnologicalorderwiththebodyatitshelmandatroublingrelationship
tohistory.Speedanditspossibilitiesthespeedofthenew,thespeedsofpotentialfuturescollidingwiththefastapproachingpastcreateacrisisinthecategoryof
historyandthenarrativesitinspires.Historyisinefficientasamethodofprocessingmeaningitcannotkeepup.Ashistoryslowsdownrelativetoeventsintherealm
ofinformationandmeaning,thefutureremainsonhold.Historyassocialorchronologicalhistoryisdyingwiththewhitemaleofwesternmetaphysicsandconsequently
itisnolongerenoughtosaywherewehave

Page4

been.Westruggleinsteadtoarticulateapresentladenwiththedebrisofinertpasts.Posthumanbodiesdonotbelongtolinearhistory.Theyareofthepastandfuture
livedaspresentcrisis.Thispresent,thiscrisisdoesnotglidesmoothlyalongaonedimensionaltimelinebuteruptsorcoalescesnonlocallyacrossanonlypartially
temporizablerealmofmeaning.
PosthumanBodiesrepresentsattemptstokeepupwiththepresentandtoprocesstheidentitiesthatrubupagainstthebodyandthendissolveinthemaelstromwe
callpostmodernism,posthumanism,poststructuralism,postcolonialism,postindustrialcapitalism.Theessaysinthisvolumeworktoengageposthumannarrativesthat
haveallbutreplacedpreviousmasternarrativesabouthumanity,itsbodies,itssubjects,itspains,anditspleasures.Thesenarrativesshowhowthebodyanditseffects
havebeenthoroughlyreimaginedthroughaninfradisciplinaryinterrogationofhumanidentityanditsattendantideologies.

OutPosts:SomeSubcultureswithoutCulture:ParisIsBurning
Posthumanbodiesthriveinsubcultureswithoutculture:thereareonlysubcultures.Cultureprocessesandappropriatesasubcultureonlyasquicklyasthesubculture
becomesvisibleasculture:theImaginaryofdominantcultureisalwaysonlyaculminationofappropriatedformsandplagiarizedlyrics(ifamirrorcanbesaidto
appropriateanything).
Voguing,nowafamousinstanceofthesignifyingdanceofthehyperstylizedbody,beganasapredominantlyblackandlatinotransvestitesubculturaldenaturalization
ofhauteculturegenderperformance(beforebeingmainstreamedbyaverywhiteMadonna).ButtoidentifyvoguingasparasiticalonBigCulture(e.g.,underthe
headingofparody)wouldbeasreductiveastotrytounderstandvoguingasRomanticCreativity.Instead,voguingandothersubculturalpracticesworkto
underminetheoneeyedpyramidofgenerichierarchy,totroublethesmoothflowchartofculturalcirculation,somewhatlikefilmsthatprecedenovelizations,sequels
thatprecedeprequels,mafiabossesthatmodelthemselvesonmoviemafiabosses,actorpresidents,TVdoctorswhoendorsepills,pollsthatpitsittingvicepresidents
againsttheTVcharacterstheydenounce,infomercials,docudramas,andsoonandon.
Madonnamimicsblackandlatinogayprostitutecultureandtranslatesitintoamilliondollarstageactherperformancesareattemptstooriginatetheformsshehas
appropriated.Thisisexactlytheprocessbywhichsomeperformancesaregiventheweightandauthorityofrealitywhileothersarerelegatedtoshadowsand
imitations.Butifauthorityandorigi

Page5

nationareconferredbythecirculationofcapital,thiscirculationcanneverquiteestablishitspriorityoverthecounterfluenciesofsubculture.
JudithButlerexposestherelationshipbetweensimulacrumandoriginalthattroublesgenderandcompulsoryheterosexuality.Byinvertingthedominantnarrative
oftherelationbetweenheterosexualgenderperformanceandbutchfemmelesbiangenderperformances,Butlerisabletoclaimthattheparodicorimitativeeffectof
gayidentitiesworksneithertocopynortoemulateheterosexuality,butrather,toexposeheterosexualityasanincessantandpanickedimitationofitsownnaturalized
idealization(2223).Thisinversionispowerfulbecauseofthewayitintervenesintheconstructionofgenderedsubjectivityatthepointwhereitbecomesamodelof
humanness.Itinterruptsalinearcontinuityamonggender,heterosexualnorms,andhumansexualitybyshowinghowheavilyheterosexualityandgenderdependongay
identitiestoidealize,humanizeandnaturalizetheirowndefinitions.ThisdependenceistoooftenleftoutofaccountsoftheOtherthatstressmarginalization.While
clearandpresentoppressionofOthersisbynomeanstobeunderstated,theOtherisalsothematrixagainstwhichtheselfismadetoappearandfromwhichitcan
neverbeextricatedtheconservationofOthernessdictatesthatanyassimilationorincorporationwillalsobeatransfiguration.
Madonnainvertstherelationbetweensubcultureandcultureinarathersimilarwaytogivetheillusionofamonolithiccultureofwhitemoniedheterosexuality,under
whosecameraeyeshesquirms.ThereleaseofJennieLivingstonsfilm,ParisIsBurning,drainedMadonnasvoguingextravaganzaofitsrealityeffectevenwhile
beingpulledpartwayupbyherbootstraps.NotonlydoNewYorkCitysdragqueensgiveanalternativehistorytotheoriginofvoguing,theyalsogiveanalternative
historyofgenderanditsperformances.Itisworthlookingcloselyatthisfilminordertoengagetheposthumannarrativesthatsaturatetransitionsbetweenculturesand
subcultures.
Balls,houses,legendsreading,throwingshade,walkingrealness,categories,vogue:thesubculturaldictionarythatorganizesParisIsBurninginsistson
thoroughgoingrearticulations.Ataball,realityitselfisupforgrabsandmaythebestqueenwin.Voguing,onedragqueenexplains,isaformofstreetfightinga
competitionwagedbetweentwohousesorgaygangs.Housesarelikefamiliesandtheytaketheirnamesfromdesigners(HouseofChanel,SaintLaurent,etc.)or
fromtheirfoundersorMothers(HouseofLabeija,Ninja,etc.).Betweentribeandfamilyandprofessionandcommuneandcorporation,theHouseisan
unromanticizablyopportunisticposthumanassemblagethatcouldneverbemistakenforthecozyprivacyofWordsworthshouseholdofman.

Page6

Towalktheballistocompete,inoneofahugerangeofcategories,againstChildrenofotherHousesfortrophies.CategoriesincludeButchandFemmeQueens,
Realness,BangeeGirlandBoy,andsoon.InRealness,Childrensimulateasocialroletothepointwheretheycouldpassforreal.Forexample,ExecutiveRealness
involvesdressingasabusinessmanwithsuit,tieandattachcase.TheRealnesscategoryallowspoor,gay,oftenblackorlatinomentountangleforamomentthe
economicandsocialformsofoppressionthatstandbetweenthemandthesocalledrealworld.Italsoallowsthem,however,torecreatethatrealworldintheirown
image,torepeopleitandtochallengeinanintenselyartisticwaytheconventionsofdomination.
WhilemanyoftheFemmeQueensaresatisfiedtostrikeposesoffemininity,othersintheballscenehavehadactualtranssexualoperations.Bodilyoperationssuggest
thatRealnessmayinfacthavesomethingtodowithphysicalorgans,whilethedragshowssuggestthat,onthecontrary,themostRealwomanisonewhopasseson
thestreetsratherthanbetweenthesheets.ThistensionbetweenrealanatomyandrealgenderisarticulatedbyseveralFemmeQueensinthedocumentary.Pepper
LabeijaandDorianCoreyofferaccountsofwhattheyperceivetobethenuanceddistancebetweenperformingrealnessandwantingtobereal.Coreysaysthatthe
Childrenhungertoomuchforsomethingbeyondthesmallfameofwalkingtheball.Labeijacautionsagainsttakingrealnessforrealheneverwantedtheoperation
becauseheknowsthatsimplyhavingapussydoesnotmeanyouwillhaveafabulouslife.Labeijawrylyimpliesthatbecomingawomanmeansfacinganew
oppression:tobearealwomanissimplytofacerealsexism.Ontheotherhand,VenusXtravaganzawantstheoperationandlongstobeaspoiled,rich,white
girllivinginthesuburbs.Whilethiskindofsentimentdrewhorrifiedresponsesfromsomeliberalcriticswhomarveledatthewillingnessofpeopletoembracetheir
oppressions,itisafantasythatactuallybegstobereadwithinthecontextoftheballsandtheircodesofsignification.Venussfantasyfunctionsasfantasyprecisely
becauseitsrealizationwillalwaysbefrustrated.Therealofherfantasy,ofcourse,haslittleifanythingtodowithspoiled,whitegirlsinsuburbs.Theposthuman
elementofthisfantasyliesinitsnonrelationtorealwhitenessanditsexpressionofthefantasyfunctionofwhiterealness.Whiteness,inotherwords,functionsinthis
fantasyasalimitoftherealandasadesiredcategoryonlybecauseitisunattainableorimpossible.NotbecausewhitenesscannotbesimulatedbutbecauseVenus
Xtravaganzaforonewillneverreaptherewardsofevenasuccessfulsimulationofwhiteness.Realwhiteness,however,theotherendofthisequation,becomes
equallyvulnerableinsofaras

Page7

Venussfantasymakesvisiblethelinesofpowerthatcollideinthecategorywhiteandwhichallowittoslideintothecategoryhuman.
Madonnaperformstherealwhitenessthatvoguingexposesasdraginordertostabilizethecategoriesandmakeherwhitenessandrealnessworkforherinaway
thatVenusnevercan.WhileVenusandtheotherqueensimitateawhitenesstheyfindinfashionmagazines,Madonnaimitatestheimitationinordertoreclaimandre
securevoguingforsuperstars.MadonnasperformanceandherblondtranslationofvoguingmakeherarealmillionaireVenusdiesbeforethefilmprojectis
completed,amurdervictim.Thisisnot,therefore,merelyamorallessonaboutthedangersofthinkingrealnessismutable.Instead,MadonnaandVenusareexamples
ofthepowerofstablerealwhitenessversustheriskandinsecuritiesoftryingtoperformwhiterealness.Thesearenotaberrationsoftheflowvectorsthatdefinethe
structureofculturalspacetimebutindicatorsofthepovertyofteleologicalandhierarchicalnarrativestoaccountforculturaltraffic.
Thegridlockofsignifiersandsignifiedsatthejunctureofgender,class,ethnicity,andsexualityinthenightworldofvoguingisatrafficjamofposthumanproportions,
wherethedriversmayaswellabandontheirvehicles.TheHumanwanders,lost,intoamazeofsexchanges,wardrobechanges,makeovers,andcoverversionsthat
imbricatehumanrealityintoposthumanrealness.
Asdefinitionsofbodiesandtheiractsproliferatewithinsubcultures,theyshrinkproportionatelyinwhatwecallculture.Oneexample,HusbandsandWives,oneof
WoodyAllensmelancholicautobiographicalconfessions,registersthelossofasexualvocabularywithinnormativeheterosexuality.JudyDavisplaysafrustratedand
frigiddivorcewhostrugglestofindtherightsexualcombination,theformulashehopeswillunlockherdesire.Afteradatewithacaring,handsomemansheseemsto
likebutnotdesire,sheisreducedtothinkingofcouplingastheunionofhedgehogsandfoxes,aunionthatsignifiestheimpossibilityofcomplementarity.Butthe
modelforbinarycomplementarityinAllensfilmisaheterosexualitythathereseemsstuckalwaysinamodeofeither/or,withnoalternativesinsight.Davisscharacter
lacksawayofunderstandingthedesirefordifferenceandthedesireforsamenesswheretheyoverlap,wheretheycollide,wheretheycometoblows.Hedgehogs
andfoxes?Meanwhile,minoritysexualculturesgenerateelaborateandproliferatingsexualvocabularies:somanywords,somanyacts,sofewdiscreteidentitiesor
onlyasmanyidentitiesastherearebodiesandthensome.Hedgehogsandfoxes?Thisdefinitionregistersthepathosofnormativeheterosexualitylockedintoasad
groove,constantlygeneratingnarrativesof

Page8

sentimentandromancetocoverovertheobviousconfusionandlackoffaiththatplaguesallattemptstomateforlife.

Someness
Sexonlyhascurrencywhenitbecomesachannelforsomethingbesidesitsowndriveforpleasure.Turnonsarenotsexualsexualityisadispersedrelationbetween
bodiesandthings:somebodies(suchasmalelesbians,femalecockwearers,babybutches,generationalists,sadofetishists,womenwithguns)andsomethings
(dildoes,pistols,vegetables,ATMcards,computers,phones,books,phonebooks).Someturnons:womeninsuitslookinglikeboys,womeninsuitswearingdildoes
lookinglikeandbeingmen,menwithoutdicks,dickswithoutmen,virtualbodyparts,interactivefantasy.Whatisbodilyaboutsex?Whatissexualaboutsex?Whatis
gendered?Areposthumanbodiespostgender?Isanythingpostanymore,oristhisthebeginning?Thesearchfororiginsstopsherebecausewearetheoriginsat
whichimaginedreality,virtualreality,gothicrealityareallupforgrabs.Yourenothumanuntilyoureposthuman.Youwereneverhuman.
Whatwouldhappenifsingularitiesceasedtoanchorthewaysinwhichwethink?NotThePosthumanBody,butbodies.Thesexwhichisnotoneistheplural
paradigmforthespecieswhichareneverone.DeleuzeandGuattarirevisetheparadigmofthesubjectstrunglikeamarionettetoreducethemarionettebodyandthe
puppeteermindtomorecatscradlesofnervousfibers,setsofintersectingbiopsychosocialconstraintsthatmakethenodalbody(8).Thisisnottoreplaceastuck
mindbodydualismwithaheterogeneousmonism,buttoinsistonthesomenessofeveryassemblage.Posthumanitycannotbeassertedbyakindofgendersuffrage
(eachpersontheirowngender)becausethediscourseofinfinitediversityjustplaysthegoodcoptothebadcopofsingularityandduality,tothetendencytoset
upone(systemofgender)andtwo(m/f,gay/straight,gay/lesbian).ForHarawayscyborg,oneistoofew,buttwoaretoomany(177)HomiBhabhas
postcolonialhybridityislessthanoneanddouble(179)DeleuzeandGuattarisassemblageisenumeratedasnminusone:
Intruth,itisnotenoughtosay,Longlivethemultiple,difficultasitistoraisethatcry.Notypographical,lexical,orevensyntacticalclevernessisenoughtomakeitheard.The
multiplemustbemade,notbyalwaysaddingahigherdimension,butratherinthesimplestofways,bydintofsobriety,withthenumberofdimensionsonealreadyhas
availablealwaysnminusone.(6)

Page9

Howmanyraces,genders,sexualitiesarethere?Some.Howmanyareyou?Some.Someisnotanindefinitenumberawaitingamoreaccuratemeasurement,buta
rigoroustheoreticalmandatewhosespecification,necessaryasitis(sincethemultiplemustbemade),isneithernumerablenor,inthecommonsense,innumerable.

SomeHumans
Therhetoricalcrisisforthehumanistissuchthatoneminutehelllaydownthelawofthejungletoyouandthenextminutehellbeaghastwheneverythingisnt
tastefulness,gentility,andrationality.Theprivilegeofblindnesstothesecontradictionsispartofthearroganceofentrenchedpowernodoubtitwillalwaysbeready
tosacrificeeverything,beginningasusualwithitssubalterns,inordertogotothegravewiththeprivilegeofthisblindness,withthedelusionofitsown
disinterestednessorinternalconsistency,theproudfictionofitsselfsacrificingfatherlinessormotherliness.
Theposthumanmarksasolidaritybetweendisenchantedliberalsubjectsandthosewhowerealwaysalreadydisenchanted,thosewhoseektobetrayidentitiesthat
legitimizeordelegitimizethemattoohighacost.Noonecomesnaturallytothisconjunctureratheritmustbecontinuallyforgedwithinandamongpeopleand
discourses.
WhenAirForcepilotGeorgeBushdroppedhisbombloadonhistargetandbailedout,regrettablybutunavoidablyleavinghisfellowcrewmembertocrash,hecould
beproudenoughofamissionaccomplishedtomodelhispresidencyonitaftermurderinghundredsofthousandsinIraqandbailingouthisfriendsbanks,hecould
againbeproud,leavingthepresidencytorejoinwhathecalledtherealworld.Thosewhoarepositioned,byvariousdisjunctionsfrompower,toseethese
contradictionsdonotlaboroutofsomealtruismordedicationtotruthbutbecausewearetheonesleftintheplane.
Intimesofcrisisandgreatchangethecostofvariousfictionsbecomesprohibitive,evenforthosewhohavetraditionallybeenchargedwithmaintainingthem.Itisnot
thatWesternCulturewillbesavedorlost(itwillbebothandneitheritsidentityhasneverbeenanythingbutaselectivefiction)itisthatlaboringundernotionsof
savingandlosingturfprotection,damagecontrolhasbecomemoredestructive,whiletheongoingnecessityofinventingmoreworkablefictionshasbecomemore
acute.Strategieswhichembracecontradictionwillcontinuetobeimportant:seemingtobitethehandthatseemstofeedus(whetheranauthorizingidentityor
discursiveposition),seekingtoparticipatefullyinasetofpowerrelationsfromwhichourdisjunctionisalsoourenablingcondition,

Page10

andbeingdrivenratherthanparalyzedbythedoubleimpossibilitiesofthedetached(ivorytower)andthefullyengaged(organic)intellectual.
Thehumanhasbeenconfiguredasatribalcirclegatheredaroundthefireamidtheloomingdarknessofadangerousworld,asthepartyofrevelerssequesteredfrom
theplague,astheexclusivecluboftheHuman,completewithalltherightsandprivilegespertainingthereunto(forexample,therighttoeatnonmembersoftheclub
andtheprivilegenottobeeaten).Itisonlypartiallyourmembershipintheclubthatenablesustocontesttherules,tobegtodifferonhowonemustassumethe
position(takeupthevariouscrossesofidentity,power,gender,authority).Itisalsobecausethedarknessloomswithinthecircleinamorevirulentform,because
someofthesomethatwearehavebeenexcludeditisthroughmultiplearticulationsamongtheconstitutiverolesoftheseothers.Becauseothernessisnotadditivein
thetraditionalsense,thereisnobestrepresentativeoftheposthuman.Posthumanshavebeenmultiplycolonized,interpenetrated,constructedaswellas
paradoxicallyempoweredbutneithervirtuenorviceattachesautomaticallytothismultipleposition.
Theposthumandoesnotnecessitatetheobsolescenceofthehumanitdoesnotrepresentanevolutionordevolutionofthehuman.Ratheritparticipatesinre
distributionsofdifferenceandidentity.Thehumanfunctionstodomesticateandhierarchizedifferencewithinthehuman(whetheraccordingtorace,class,gender)and
toabsolutizedifferencebetweenthehumanandthenonhuman.Theposthumandoesnotreducedifferencefromotherstodifferencefromself,butratheremergesin
thepatternofresonanceandinterferencebetweenthetwo.Theadditiveother(whoissubordinateinseveralsystemsatonce)isnotnecessarilythegeometricallyother
oftheposthuman,whomaywellbebetweenbetweeninasinglesystem.Asafriendofourslikestosay,Imafeministataheavymetalconcertandametal
advocateatafeministmeeting.

Family?
Thehumantribecanneveragainbefamily.PostfamilialbodiescelebratetheendofHisandHermatchingtheoriesthatendlesslyrevolvearoundthemiserable
imaginedunit,theimaginedcommunityofanimaginedkinshipinanimaginedhousewithanimagineddogandtwo(ifonly)imaginedchildren.Still,thestoryofthe
victoryofthemiddleclassandthehegemonyofitsfamily,discipline,andrationalityasunmarkeduniversalsisasexaggeratedasthestoryoftheirimminentdemise.
Theshiftinthebalanceofpowersfromthecoercivetothedisciplinarydidnot,of

Page11

course,happensuccinctlyoruniformly,butunevenlyandnevercompletely.Theruleofcapitalismandthedisciplinarypowerthathasbeenitsvicepresidentisboth
total(nospaceisfreeofit)andpartial(itdoesnotreignuncontestedinanyofitslocations).Butitstransnationalandmultidimensionalubiquityitsexplosiontothe
horizonofglobalculturecanalsobethepreconditionforotherhistoriesandpowerstocomeintotheirown.
Lacanlocatedthebirthofhumancultureintheknowledgethatheterosexualintercourseproducesbabies:theNameoftheFatherissecuredbyasystemspecifying
whomaybeallowedtofuckwhatandhow,producingmandates,prohibitionsandselectivefreedomsinthecirculationoffluidsbreastmilk,semen,money,gifts,
information.Thebiotaxonomyofspecies(andtheorderofknowledgesofwhichitisanartifact)maybedescribedasasimilarsetofmandatesandprohibitions,along
withthevariousinternaldivisionsthatitauthorizes(species,order,family,genre,gender,divisionsintosexualorasexualreproduction,warmandcoldblood,etc.).
TaxonomicaldisciplinetrainsthebranchesofthegenealogicalTreeofLifetodivergeneatly.Discursivebodiesallownosuchneatdistinctionstheyarebothwarm
blooded(selfregulating)andcoldblooded(sensitivelydependentontheirenvironments)bothsexuallyandasexuallyreproduced.Inanycase,theecologyof
interdependenceproblematizestheroleoffuckinginthelifeofspecies.Whenfartingcowscanbepostulatedasleadingtocatastrophicglobalclimacticchanges,
whoreyougonnacall?Aclimatologist,azoologist,anutritionist,aBuddhist?Whatdisciplinehasjurisdiction?If,magnifiedbytechnologicalinterconnections,fearand
hopecansweepacrossglobalstockmarketsaseasilyastheydoacrosstheRomantichumanistheart,shallwesayhumanismisdeadorhasreacheditsapotheosis?
Ifhumanreproduction,atleastforthetimebeing,necessarilyinvolvestheunionofaspermandegg,wearenotcreatedin,norreducibleto,theirimage(oneper
customer,please).Beyondthelittlecreatures...ofloveoftheTalkingHeadssong,allowedtonamebothsperm/eggsandadultbodies,isDorionSagans
metametazoan,amultiplecreatureafloatinthenoncomplementaryomnisexualityofbacterialexchanges,viawhichthebodybecomesasortofornately
elaboratedmosaicofmicrobesinvariousstatesofsymbiosisandhealthislessamatterofdefendingaunitythanmaintaininganecology.Evenso,theposthumanas
metametazoancannotthereforebesubjecttoaonetoonelinkageorreliablycompletemappingeitherwiththemultiplicitiesofmicrobesorwiththeplanetEarth
(Gaia)conceivedasasingle/multipleorganism(Sagan369,379).PosthumanitiesisalivetotheongoingdangerofbeingshackledtotheGreatChainofBeing.

Page12

Inpracticeaswellasparadigm,spermandeggunionshavebeenrepositioned.Thereareinanycasemultiplewaystobringaboutthisunion(taxincentives,invitro
fertilization,ideologiesoffamily,turkeybasters,etc.),orinhibitit(condoms,operations,tightjeans,abstinence,queerpractices,etc.),andnoneofthemareentirely
reversibleorirreversible.HowcananAristotelianhierarchizationofcausesseparatetheroleofthebodyinreproductionfromthatofeconomy,technology,
ideology,fashion?Ifbiologicalreproductionismerelyonepossiblefunctionofonepossiblekindoffucking,aswellasmerelyoneofthemanykindsofreproduction
requiredtoperpetuatethecodeofthehuman,thenthereisacuriouslackofspecificityinthetermfucking,alackofcoherenceamongitsconnotations,itsvariable
associationwithpleasuresandpains,withreproduction,withspecificpenetrationsorfrottages,withrhythmicfrictions.Whatisallowedtobefucking?Ifthe
dissociationoffemaleorgasmfromgenerationthatLaqueurlocatesinthelateeighteenthcentury(1987)iswhateventuallyallowsfemaleorgasmtosignifythe
unspeakable(jouissance)andunlocalizablemysteryandtheunreliabilityofsignifiers,whilemaleejaculation(asinthecumshotofmasculinistpornography)comes
toguaranteetheselfevidenceofdesireandtruthinthebinaryofyesornothisbinaryaxiologizationnevercoulddirectthetrafficsamongpower,pleasure,and
bodiestrafficswhichincludebutarebynomeansexhaustedbyfemaleejaculation,sexwithoutorgasm,orgasmwithoutsex,sexwithoutejaculation,ejaculation
withoutorgasm,reproductionwithoutsex,sexwithoutfucking,practicesinwhichgenitaliacanbecomefetishesorsecondordermetaphors(aprocessimpossibleby
definitionintheonewaylawofFreudiandisplacementandcondensation),andsoon.Itbecomespossibletoassertanonrelationbetweenfuckingand
reproductiontherelationuponwhichpatriarchalhumanityispredicatedpartlybecauseofthediversityofsexualpractices,partlybecauseoftechnologicaloptions,
butmainlybecausethepointwheretheyconvergeisnolongeranadequateanchoringpointforameaningfulorworkablesystem.Likewise,responsibilityfor
conceptionandcontraception,nolessthanforpostnatalcare,isnotgivenbutassigned.
Theclimactericofthehumandinosaurisadangeroustime,butnomorethananyother.Thedyingdinosaurstillthrasheshistail,takingouthundredsofthousandsinthe
process.Someofuscannotresisttheriskthatgnawingitsscalyfleshentailsothersstrivetogoabouttheirbusinessindiscursiveecosystemsinwhichthedinosaur
couldnevercompete,butallofusliveinhisshadow.
Theinfamousfamilyvaluesdebateofthe1992U.S.presidentialelectionwillberememberedasthediscursivemomentinwhichconservativeslosttheirholdonthe
imaginaryplacecalledhome.InwhatJamesoncallsthehomeopathyofpostmodernismtheresistancethroughindul

Page13

gencefamilyvaluesdissolvedatthetouch.Assoonasconservativesactuallydescribedthefamilytheyhadinmind,itsveryvisibilityruineditspowerasan
ideologicalimaginary:therereallyisnoplacelikehome.Discursivepoweroperatesfromtheimaginary,andidentityregistersitsmomentoffailure.Ifthefailureof
familyvalueshasallowedalittleslidinginwhatcountsasfamily,ithasalsobipartisanizedthecrusadeontheirbehalf,makingopposingpositionsstillmoredifficult
toarticulate.
Theposthumanrepudiatesthepsychoanalyticalandsotheposthumanisalsopostpsychic,beyondanytherapythatattemptstorectifythedisorderandillogicof
desireswithhealth,purityandstability.Aboveall,puritydissolvesinextrafamilialrelations,wherethebodyincultureisalwaysaviralbody,atimebombofsymptoms.
Posthumanitiesembracearadicalimpuritythatincludesthepurewithoutprivilegingit.Extrafamilialdesireexposesthefamilyasamagictrickpulledbyscienceand
sustainedbysocialscience.Mommyanddaddyarenotsexy,andtheFreudianfamilysitcomisntfunnyanymore.

Aliens
Ifthehumanisdead,thealien,theother,goeswithit.Ordoesit?Whatisdifferentaboutthealien?Doesposthumanitypropitselfupagainstahumanbodyordoesit
cannibalizethehuman?
DavidCronenbergsfilmsrefusetograntthecategoryofhumananyparticularprimacyoverotheridentitiesthatjockeyforpositionwithinthebody.InTheFly,the
scientistplayedbyJeffGoldblumrevelsinthedisintegrationofhishumanform,collectshishumanpartsandcreatesamuseum/mausoleuminhisbathroommedicine
cabinet.Thehumanisemphasizedhereasascientificshowcase,amedicalexhibit,ashowofforcebutalwaysathreatenedconstituencyofbodypartsandreason.
Goldblumbecomesmoreandmorerepulsive,moreandmorelikableandinterestingashisformbecomesfly.Whenhemergesfly/humanwiththegeneticstructureof
thecomputeranditsattendanthardware,thetripleotherofanimal/human/machinecannotslouchanywheretobebornbutonlyabjectlycrawlandbegtobekilled
posthumanembodimentisfrustratedseductivelyinthefinalinstanceinordertobenurturedinanimaginaryorperversereadingthefilmcanonlyinsinuate.Inanycase,
thehumanhasbeenreducedtoamoment,butnotanevolutionarymoment:itisamomentoffleshthatinterruptsamoreintimaterelationbetweenbodyandmachine.
InDeadRingersthemalesubjectistwomalesubjectswhodisintegratebecausetheyfindoutthattheinsideofthebody,specificallytheinsideofawomansbody,is
mutant,beautiful,mesmerizing,infertile,andin/

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human.Clairesinfertilityrefractstheterriblefertilitythatproducedthemalesubjectsasnotonebabybuttwo.Thetwingynecologiststremblebeforethegothicization
ofabodytheyknowscientificallybutnotsexually.Again,thefilmsworkisapparentlynegativetheselfsufficiencyofmalenarcissismandthebodythatitcodesis
implodedthroughitsobliquecontactwithitsother,butthepowerfulidentityvacuumproducedbythisverythoroughimplosionintoabjectionisexactlywhereandhow
thefilminvitestheposthumantoemerge.Recognitionofaposthumanagendarequiresnewprotocolsforreadingthepositivityofhorrorandabjection,notas
representational(aspedagogicalobjectlessons:donttrythisathome)butasfunctionaldysfunctionsthatmakeotherthingshappen.

Catachresis
WhenAristotledescribedmanasafeatherlessbiped,Diogenesconfrontedhimwithapluckedchicken.Toassert,inthespiritofthisvaudevillephilosophy,that
humanity(andthehumanbody)isacatachresisatermunableeithertogrounditselfadequatelyinareferentortoassertacommonlogictouniteitsvarious
referentsisagoodfirststep,buttheimaginaryclosureofthecategoryofthehuman,evenorespeciallyifperpetuallydeferred,hasveryrealfunctions.Unlikethe
humansubjecttobe(Lacanslhommelette),whoseeshisownmirrorimageandfixedgenderidentitydiscreteandsovereignbeforehiminawaythatwillforever
exceedhim,theposthumanbecomingsubjectvibratesacrossandamonganassemblageofsemiautonomouscollectivitiesitknowsitcannevereitherbecoextensive
withnoraltogetherseparatefrom.Theposthumanbodyisnotdriven,inthelastinstance,byateleologicaldesirefordomination,deathorstasisortobecome
coherentandunitaryoreventoexplodeintomoredisjointedmultiplicities.Driveninsteadbythedoubleimpossibilityandprerequisitetobecomeotherandtobecome
itself,theposthumanbodyintriguesratherthandesiresitisintriguedandintriguingjustasitisqueer:notasanidentitybutbecauseitqueers.Queeringmakesa
postmodernpoliticsoutofthemodernistaestheticsofdefamiliarization.Whatintriguesme,k.d.langasserts,isbeingalternativeandcompletelyconformistatthe
sametime(98).

Queer
DavidWojnarowicz,inClosetotheKnives:AMemoirofDisintegration,writes:
RealizingthatIhavenothinglefttoloseinmyactions,Iletmyhandsbecomeweapons,myfeetbecomeweapons,everyboneandmuscle

Page15
andfiberandounceofbloodbecomeweapons,andIfeelpreparedfortherestofmylife.(81)

TheviolenceofaspecificallyqueerposthumanityisrealizedwhenwhatFoucaultcallsthereversediscoursebecomessomethingelse,somethingmorethanthe
homosexualtalkingonhis/herownbehalf.Thereversediscourseceasestobesimplythereversewhenitbeginstochallengeanddisruptthetermsofferedtoitfor
selfdefinition.Coalitionacrosswhatwehavecalledthecollectivityofsomenesscreatesanecessaryspaceforqueerarticulations.
TheAIDSbody,forexample,crumblesanddisintegrateswiththedisease,butasWojnarowiczshows,italsoproducesfearinthosewhodonothaveAIDSitnot
onlydisintegrates,inotherwords,itproducesdisintegrationatlarge.Disintegrationasapoliticalstrategyattackstheoppressiveimaginarygulfbetweentheeternalized
andsafebodyandthebodyatrisk,theprovisionalbodyitisthisdifferentialthatconstantlyattemptstoconstructthePersonWithAIDSasalreadydead,and
beyondthehumanloop.DisintegrationoperateslikeavirusandinfectspeoplewithfearofAIDS,exertingaweirdkindofpower,harnessedbyACTUP.ThePWA,
thejunky,thehomelessperson,thequeerinAmericaalsohaspower:asWojnarowiczputsit,wehavethepowertowakeyouupandwelcomeyoutoyourbad
dream.Queertacticsarenotpacifist,embracinginsteadthebyanymeansnecessaryapproach:selfdefenseandmore.Thisisnotsimplyanagendaofphysical
intimidationbutaFoucauldiantacticofdisciplineandpunish,inspiringfearwithoutactuallylayingafingeronanyone.
Fear,JennyHolzerwrites,IsthemostElegantweapon.ClosetotheKnivesisreallyamanifestoforaction,aproposaldesignedtostrikefearintorightwing
heartsitisacalltoarms,acalltolivetoacknowledgethatweliveclosetotheknivesandclosetotheedgeofviolence.PeoplewhodieofAIDSdieviolent
deathsandWojnarowiczproposestomakethisviolencevisible.
TheframeofreferencewithinWojnarowiczspersonalholocaustisviral:thevirusbecomesanepistemologyallitsown,dividingtheworldintocarriersandinfected
versusthepossiblyorpotentiallyinfected.Therandomnessofthediseasemeansthateveryoneisaffectedbytheinfectionofsomany.Thisepistemologyknowing
onesidentitybymeasuringonesdistancetoorfromthepossibilityofinfectionopensupawindowonotherformsofknowing,onwhathecalls:theunveilingof
ourorderanddisorder.BeingQueerinAmericaisaposthumanagenda.
AtonepointinWojnarowiczsbook,hedescribesvideotapingthedeathofhisfriendinordertogivethemanavirtualexistencebeyondthegrave.

Page16

Ofcourse,Wojnarowiczswritingisalsoatechnologythatextendsthebodybeyonddeathandbeyondthedisintegrationofthebody.Technologiesthatremakethe
bodyalsopermeateandmediateourrelationstothereal:therealisliterallyunimaginableoronlyimaginablewithinatechnologicalsociety:technologymakesthe
bodyqueer,fragmentsit,framesit,cutsit,transformsdesiretheageoftheimagecreatesdesireasascreen:theTVscreenisanalogoustoself,ascreenthatprojects
andisprojectedontobutonlygivestheillusionofdepth.
TheimageofanAIDSrelateddeathbeingcapturedonfilmreturnsusalltooquicklytoU2sworldofZooTVanditsinvitationtothereadertowonderwhichsideof
thelenssheison.WhileaconnectionbetweenU2,aninternationalmegaband,andWojnarowicz,aqueerartistdyingofAIDS,maybearbitraryandcoincidental,an
oddimagebindsthetwotogether.OntheZOOTVtour,U2soldTshirtsfeaturingasilkscreenedphotobyDavidWojnarowiczthatappearsasthecoverofClose
totheKnives.Thephotoshowsbuffalostampedingoveracliff,andontheU2TshirttheWojnarowiczcaption,Smelltheflowerswhileyoucan,isscrawled
underneath.Thebuffalojumpingtotheirdoom,slippingofftheedgeoftheearthandleavingtheirprairiezoo,resemblesthemedicalzooproducedbytheAIDS
pandemic.ThiszoocagesAIDSinfectedbodiesandthendrivesthemoverthecliff.Smellingtheflowerswhileyoucanmeansnotsimplyhedonisticabandonbut
stavingoffapocalypsewithpleasure.Andthenmakingyourapocalypseonethatrequireswitnesses.
Imcarryingthisragelikeabloodfilledeggandtheresathinlinebetweentheinsideandtheoutsideathinlinebetweenthoughtandactionandthatlineissimply
madeupofbloodandmuscleandbone(Wojnarowicz161).Wojnarowicztripsoverthelinebetweeninsideandoutsidehefindsthemeaningofhisslowdeathin
theangerthateatsawayatthehumanandthebodyandasksnotforvengeancebutformassivechangeandrecognitionthatnothingisthesamewhenyouaredyinga
politicaldeath.Theselfdisintegratesinthisqueernarrativeintoaposthumanragefordisorderanduncivildisobedience.Forthequeernarrator,rageisthedifference
betweenbeingandhaving:itisacalltoarms,adesirethatthehumanberoughlyshovedintothenextcenturyandthenextbodyandthatwebecomeposthuman
withoutnostalgiaandbecausewealreadyare.

Quakes:TheAfterShock
Bodiesdependonanetworkofsignifyingrelationships.FollowingtheSanFranciscoearthquakeof1990,therewasasharpriseinthebatteringofwomenbytheir
husbandsandboyfriends.Thepoorandhomelesssuf

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fereddisproportionatelyfromthelossoftheirtemporaryshelters,oftensituatedinoldandsubstandardbuildings,andfromthediversionofsocialservices.Nine
monthsafterthequake,areahospitalsreportedasharpriseinthebirthrate.Inotherwords,thesamepeoplegotfuckedasusual,onlymoreso.Farfrombeinga
naturalevent,theearthquakeoperatedtoconfirmandreinforcethesocialdistributionofviolence.Thediscursivetremorsinwhathadbeenconsideredthe
transhistoricallystablegroundofthebodywillnotbesoeasilychanneled.
Posthumanbodiesnever/alwaysleavethewomb.Thedependenceorinterdependenceofbodiesonthematerialanddiscursivenetworksthroughwhichtheyoperate
meansthattheumbilicalcordsthatsupplyus(withoutwhichwewoulddie)arealwaysmultiple.Thepartialreconfigurabilityofneedsmeansthatournavelsare
multipleaswell.Youcankillasignificantportionofacountrysinhabitantsbydisablingthecountrysinfrastructuresmoreeconomicallythanbyshootingpeople
fertilitytreatmentsarelesseffectivethantaxincentivestoproducebabiestheHumanGenomeProjectwilldolesstoincreaseoverallhealththantheredistributionof
healthcareandwealthchanginghowyouwalkandtalkanddressandwhoandhowyoufuckchangesyourgenderaswellassurgery.Thesestrategicassertions
movethequestionfromthedependenceorcontingencyofbodiesonthediscursivenetworksinandbywhichtheyoperate,toarefusaltodistinguishabsolutelyor
categoricallybetweenbodiesandtheirmaterialextensions.
Posthumanbodieswereneverinthewomb.Bodiesaredeterminedandoperatedbysystemswhosereproductionissometimespartiallybutalwaysirreducibly
asexual:capitalism,culture,professions,andinstitutions,andinfactsexualityitself.Itisnotmerelythatenvironmentalfactorsaredownloadedintothegeneasthe
privilegedmediatorofbodilyreproduction,butthatthegeneitselfiseverywhere.ThelocalizedandprivilegedgenepromulgatedbytheHumanGenomeProjectisa
fetishbecauseithystericallydisplacesandcondensescausalityhystericallybecauseitservestoorganizeBigScienceitselfintotheimageofitsfetish,anarticulated
controlmechanism,eachbitdoingitspart.Ifrecentinitiativestolocatetheoriginofviolenceintherealofthefetishizedgenearematched,predictably,byequally
laughableattemptstofindtheAmericanviolencegeneintherepresentationalspaceoftelevisionimagerythediversionaryrepressivestrategiesthatgenerateandare
generatedbytheseinitiativesmaynotbesofunny.
Againstsuchinitiatives,thecurrentproliferationofbooksandarticlesonthebodyparticipateinaseriesofepistemicchangesofwhichthebodyisbothseismograph
andepicenter.ButthestorythatbeginstwohundredyearsagowithTheBirthoftheClinicandTheMakingofthe

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ModernBodyandends,aswespeak,withTheDeathoftheAuthor,TheClosingoftheAmericanMind,andTheEndofHistoryis,afterall,onlythestoryofa
bodyofdiscoursethatalwayshystericallybelievedthatitwoulddieifitsdefinitearticlewerecutoff,orrevealedtohavebeendetachableallalong.
InTheBirthoftheClinic,Foucaultsuggestedthatthelateeighteenthcenturyshiftinpower/knowledgewassuccinctlyenactedwhendoctorsstoppedaskingtheir
patients,Whatisthematterwithyou?andbegantoaskWheredoesithurt?Weaddathirdquestion:whatishappeningtoyourbody?
Bodilymasternarrativesauthorizeaverynarrowrangeofresponses:thatitismaturingorevolvingordeterioratingorremainingthesame,becomingdependentor
independentthatitisthreatenedby,succumbingtoorrecoveringfromillnessthatitisgainingorlosing,forgoodorill,variousfeaturesorfunctions(weight,hair,
muscles,mobility,etc.)thatitisgrowing,reproducing,dying.
Thisrangeofauthorizedanswersisnoiseforthepurposesofourinquiry,andformostofwhatwefeelissignificantaboutwhatishappeningtoourbodies.What
comesafterthehumanisnotanotherstageofevolutionbutadifferenceinkind.Howisyourbodychanginginkind?Insmallways:Ihadmyearpierced(thetopology
ofmybodyischangingtheresanotherholeallthewaythroughitmybodyistheearringofmyearring).Igotatattoo(Iparticipateintheculturalmarkingofmy
body).Inotherways:itischangingitsgenderoritssexualitythatis,mysexualpracticesarereconfiguringmybody.Iambecomingvariouslycyborgized(re
integratedwithmachinepartsoracrossvariousnetworks).Itischangingitsdimensions,notbygettingsmallerorlarger,butbybeingrhythmedacrossdifferentsetsof
relations.
Thetransnationalizationofculturehasreachedsuchapointthatlocaltraditionstendtobetransformed(fossilized,commodified)intosecondorderphenomena:the
bodiesofourancestorslinethemediuminwhichwenowswimthereefofcultureismadeoftheirskeletons.Thosewhoresisttheinroadsoftransnationalcapitaland
culture(inthenameofnationalorethnicintegrity,appropriatetechnology,humanscale),andthosewhoseektomakeithabitablearenotsimplyopposed,though
articulationsbetweenthemmaybetendentialforexample,thosewhofindMallCultureoppressivelydifferenceleveling,andthosewhowalktheMallstorecodeand
reconstitutethemintoaviablepublicsphere.Posthumanityisnotaboutmakinganauthenticcultureoranorganiccommunitybutaboutmultipleviabilities.
WhenMarximaginedbeingable,inapostcapitalistutopia,tofishinthemorning,rearcattleintheafternoonandcriticizeintheevening,justasIwish,withoutever
becomingfisherman,farmerorcritic(160),he''"

Page19

imaginedaworldinwhichthedivisionoflaborwouldneitherdividepeoplefromthemselvesnorfromeachotheraworldofpracticeswithoutidentities.Tobeableto
(insertwhateversexualpracticeyouwish)withoutbecominggayorstraight,manorwoman,requiresnotaproductivistrevolutionthatdemandsmoreoptions(more
sexualitiesandgenders,morediscursivehybrids),butonewhichqueriesandqueersthewaysthattheoptionsarearticulatedandpoliced.
Queer,cyborg,metametazoan,hybrid,PWAbodieswithoutorgans,bodiesinprocess,virtualbodies:inunvisualizableamnioticindeterminacy,andunfazedbythe
hypeoftheiralwaysprematureandredundantannunciation,posthumanbodiesthriveinthemutualdeformationsoftotemandtaxonomy.Wehaverehearsedtheclaim
thattheposthumanconditionisuponusandthatlingeringnostalgiaforamodernistorhumanistphilosophyofselfandother,humanandalien,normalandqueeris
merelytheechoofadiscursivebattlethathasalreadytakenplaceandthetinnyfuturismthatoftenanswerssuchnostalgiaistheechoofanecho.Westakeourclaim
betweentheseechoesandtheiranswers.

WorksCited
Bhabha,Homi.SignsTakenforWonders,inRace,Writing,andDifference,ed.HenryLouisGates,Jr.(Chicago:UniversityofChicagoPress,1986).
Butler,Judith.ImitationandGenderInsubordination,ininside/out:LesbianTheories,GayTheories,ed.DianaFuss(NewYork:Routledge,1991).
Deleuze,Gilles,andFelixGuattari.AThousandPlateaus:CapitalismandSchizophrenia,trans.BrianMassumi(Minneapolis:UniversityofMinnesotaPress,
1987).
Derrida,Jacques.WritingandDifference,trans.AlanBass(Chicago:UniversityofChicagoPress,1978).
Haraway,Donna.SituatedKnowledgesandACyborgManifesto,inSimians,CyborgsandWomen(NewYork:Routledge,1991).
lang,k.d.Interview,inInterviewmagazine,12/92.
Laqueur,Thomas.Orgasm,GenerationandthePoliticsofReproductiveBiology,inTheMakingoftheModernBody,ed.CatherineGallagherandThomas
Laqueur(Berkeley:UniversityofCaliforniaPress,1987).
Marx,Karl.TheGermanIdeology,inTheMarxEngelsReader,seconded.,ed.RobertC.Tucker(NewYork:Norton,1978).
Sagan,Dorion.Metametazoa:BiologyandMultiplicity,inIncorporations(NewYork:Zone,1992).
Wojnarowicz,David.ClosetotheKnives:AMemoirofDisintegration(NewYork:Vintage,1991).
Wordsworth,William.PrefacetoLyricalBallads,1800,inPoeticalWorks,NewEdition,ed.ThomasHutchinson(Oxford:OxfordUniversityPress,1936).

PARTI:
MULTIPLES

Page23

ONE
IdentityinOshkosh
AllucquereRosanneStone
Thenameistheendofdiscourse.
Foucault

FromtheSanFranciscoChronicle:
OnJuly23,1990,a27yearoldwomanfiledacomplaintinOshkosh,WisconsinchargingthatMarkPeterson,anacquaintance,rapedherinhercar.Thewomanhadbeen
previouslydiagnosedashavingMultiplePersonalityDisorder(MPD).SheclaimedthatPetersonrapedherafterdeliberatelydrawingoutoneofherpersonalities,anaiveyoung
womanwhohethoughtwouldbewillingtohavesexwithhim.

CuttothemunicipalbuildingcomplexinOshkosh,Wisconsin.Outsidethecourthouse,gleamingwhitemediavanslinethestreet,nosetotaillikeapodof
refrigeratorsinrut.Aforestofbristlingantennaereachesskyward,andteenagersinbrightlycoloredfastfoodliverycomeandgobearingboxesandbagsthelocal
pizzajointsaredoingalandofficebusinesskeepingthecrewssupplied.Thesunisverybright,andweblinkasweemergefromtheshadowsofthecourthouse.Jim
Cliffordwouldhavelovedthis,Icomment.IwonderwhattheMashpeecourthouselookedlikeduringthetrialhewasresearching.
WheresMashpee?myfriendasks.
InNewEngland.ThetownofMashpeewasoriginallyanIndianvillage.TheMashpeeIndiansdeededsomelandtothesettlers,andthesettlerseventuallytookover
everything.AfewyearsagothesurvivingMashpeefamiliessuedthetownofMashpeetogettheirlandback,claimingthatithadbeentakenfromthemillegally.
Whenitfinallycametotrial,thegovernmentarguedthatthecaserevolvedaroundtheissueofwhether

Page24

theMashpeenowwerethesameMashpeeastheMashpeethen.Inotherwords,weretheseMashpeedirectdescendantsoftheoriginalMashpeeinanuninterrupted
progression.
Sotheissuereallybeingarguedwas,justwhatinhellisculturalcontinuity,anyway?Isitbloodline,likethegovernmentwantedittobe,orisitthetransmissionof
sharedsymbolsandvalues,liketheviewthattheMashpeethemselvesseemedtohold?
ThatswhyIfindthistrialsointeresting,becausewhattheyrearguinghereisbothsimilaranddifferent,andwhatshappeningherebothresonatesandclasheswith
theMashpeecaseinimportantways.
WhilewestoodinlinetherewereamillionandoneotherthingsIwantedtoadd.Forexample,theideathatpersonalidentityissorefractoryisaculturallyspecific
one.ChangingyournametosignifyanimportantchangeinyourlifewascommoninmanyNorthAmericancultures.Namesthemselveswerentcodifiedaspersonal
descriptorsuntiltheDomesdaybook.Theideabehindtakinganameappropriatetoonescurrentcircumstancewasthatidentityisnotstatic.Rather,theconceptof
onespublicandprivateself,separatelyortogether,changeswithageandexperience(asdothedefinitionsofthecategoriespublicandprivate)andthenameorthe
labelontheidentitypackageisanexpressionofthat.Thechildismothertotheadult,buttheadultisnotmerelythechildabitlaterintime.
Retainingthesamenamethroughoutlifeispartofanevolvingstrategyofproducingparticularkindsofsubjects.Inordertostabilizeanameinsuchawaythatit
becomesapermanentdescriptor,itsfunctionmusteitherbesplitofffromtheself,orelsetheselfmustacquireaspeciesofobduracyandpermanencetomatchthatof
thename.Inthismannerapermanentnamefacilitatescontrolenhancesinterchangeability...ifyoucanthaveasymbolicidentity(name)thatcoincideswithyour
actualstateatthetime,thenyourinstitutionallymaintainedorfiduciaryidentityspeaksyouyoubecomethegenericidentitythattheinstitutionaldescriptorsallow.
HereinOshkosh,insteadofaskingwhatisaculture,theunspokenquestioniswhatisaperson.WeallsayImnotthepersonnowthatIwasthen,butasfarasnot
onlythegovernmentbuteveryoneelseisconcerned,thatsafigureofspeech.InMashpeeexactlytheoppositewasbeingargued:whetherthedisparatelived
experiencesofindividualmembersofacontinuallynegotiatedculturalsystemoranimaginedculturalunitconverged,throughalegalapparatustransculturally
imposed,onaunitaryfiction,thefiduciaryentitycalledtheMashpeetribe.Inthistrial,wehavedisparateexperiencesofindividualsocialidentitieshavingattheirfocus
aphysicalunit,afiduciaryentitycalledtheperson,whose

Page25

varyingmodesofexistencebothsupportandproblematizetheobduracyofindividualidentityanditsrefractorinesstodeconstruction.
Onthisparticularday,thefirstdayofwhatbyanybodysdefinitioncouldbecalledthespectacleofmultiplicity,everyoneisgettingtheirfifteenminutesworth,their
ownlittlenicheinthespectacleasmultiplicityandviolencegetprocessedthroughthegreatengineofcommodificationjustlikeeverythingelse.Reportersfrommedia
allovertheworldareinterviewingeverythingthatmoves.ThereareonlysomanypeopleavailableinOshkosh,andafterexhaustingwhateverpossibilitiespresent
themselvesinthebroadvicinityofthemunicipalcomplex,inatypicalpaparazzifeedingfrenzythemediabegintodevoureachother.Onthelawnnotfarfromthe
courthousedoorsMarkBlitstein,areporterfortheOshkoshHerald,asmalllocalnewspaper,isgrinningbroadly.IwasjustinterviewedbytheBBC,hesays.
ThecultofIsisreachedfullflowerinEgyptataround300b.c.e.,intheNewKingdomduringthePersianDynasties.TheconsulLuciusCorneliusSullabroughttheIsis
mythtotheRomanempirein86b.c.e.,whereittookrootandflourishedfornearly700years,becomingforatimeoneofthemostpopularbranchesofRoman
mythology.ThelastEgyptiantemplestoIsiswereclosedsometimein500600C.E.
Theoutlinesofthisfamiliarmytharesimple:Atfirstthereexistedonlytheocean.Onthesurfaceoftheoceanappearedanegg,fromwhichRa,thesun,wasborn.Ra
gavebirthtotwosons,ShuandGeb,andtwodaughters,TefnutandNut.GebandNuthadtwosons,SetandOsiris,andtwodaughters,IsisandNephthys.Osiris
marriedhissisterIsisandsucceededRaaskingoftheearth.However,hisbrotherSethatedhim.SetkilledOsiris,cuthimintopieces,andscatteredthefragments
overtheentireNilevalley.Isisgatheredupthefragments,embalmedthem,andresurrectedOsirisaskingofthenetherworld,orthelandofthedead.IsisandOsiris
hadason,Horus,whodefeatedSetinbattleandbecamekingoftheearth.
Inhisfoundationalworkinabnormalpsychology,MultiplePersonalityDisorder,ColinRossmakesthepointthattheIsis/Osirismythillustratesthefragmentation,
death,healing,andresurrectionoftheselfinanewform.Heprobablychosethisashisrepresentativemorphotypebecauseitismorewidelyfamiliarthanmanyother
versionsofwhatJosephCampbellcalledtheresurrectionmythoid,aniconicfragmentofhumanbeliefsystemswhichCampbellassertedrecursacrosscultural
boundaries.(Campbellhadotherproblemswithhistheorythatneednotconcernushere.Wewouldbemorelikelytolooktostructuralismforsimilartheoretical
approaches.)

Page26

RossusedtheOsirismythasaspecifictherapeuticmodel.HemaintainedthattheMPDpatientsufferedfromanOsiriscomplex,ratherthananOedipuscomplex.His
abandonmentoftheOedipuscomplexasausefulexplanatorymodelstemsfromhisreadingofFreudsinterpretationofthecaseofAnnaO.andFreudsrepudiation
oftheseductiontheoryfollowingthepublicationofStudiesinHysteria.RosssrationaleispartlyoneofexplanatoryeconomyhepointsoutthattheOedipalmodelis
whathackerswouldcallaklugeacomplex,unwieldy,andaestheticallyunsatisfactorypatchthathasthesingularvirtueofgettingthejobdoneandthattheOsiris
model(nottomentiontheaccompanyingIsismodelwhichwouldreplacetheElektracomplex)providesamuchsimplerandmoreelegantexplanatoryframeworkfor
multiplepersonality.
Therearecertainlyenoughvariedopinionsaboutwhatinhellisgoingonheretosupplyaverylargenumberoftheoreticians.Theknotsofprofessionalsofvarious
stripesengagedinmutedorheateddiscussionscalltomindthegedankexperimentofsettinganinfinitenumberofmonkeystothetaskofwritingthecompleteworksof
Shakespeare.Oneofthepsychologistsobservingthetrialcommented,TheresanawfulexcessofattentionbeingpaidtoMPDthesedays.Youknow,inmanyways
itsbeinggrosslyoverdiagnosed.Andpeoplearebeingchanneledintoit...itslikeyourmostrecentdesignerdisease.
Clinicallyspeaking,doesMPDhaveanypositiveaspects?
Well,itcanbeawaytogetattentionbecauseofitsfashionabilityinsometherapeuticcircles.TheresnodoubtthatSarahisapersonwhoisnotwell.Butshes
learnedtochannelherillnesssoitgetsattention.Ormaybeshegetsattention.Butthatwayofdealingwithapsychologicalproblemhasitsowndifficulties.Itsalso
selfdamaging.Partofherwayofexpressingitistoburnherselfwithcigarettes.Thenherotherpersonalitieswonderhowshegotburned.
Isthereapossibilitythatshewasacting?Togetattention?
Heshookhishead,lookingthoughtful.Ifshewasacting,itwasahellofabrilliantjob.Andifshewasntacting,thentherewassomethingelsegoingonthatwasquite
fascinating.Hervocabularyanddemeanor,forinstance...overtimeandplace,theyreconsistentwithinapersonality.
HowcanyoubesurethataparticularpersonreallyhasMPDandisntfakingitforsomereason?
Inmanycasesitsterriblyhardtosay...frequentlydifficulttomakethecall.MostMPDsareveryintelligent.Idthinkthemoreintelligentyouwere,thebetteryoud
beabletofakesomethinglikethat.Ifyouwerementallyillanywayandknewit,theredbeexcellentreasonstogetadesignerdisease.Youmightbeworriedabout
gettinglostinthestatehospitalsys

Page27

tem,andcomingupwithsymptomsofMPDisahellofagoodwaytogetlotsofattentionquickly.IfIwerecommittedtoastatefacility,Idtrytogenerateagood
caseofMPDformyselfjustasfastasIcould.Thatkindofthingcaneasilymakethedifferencebetweenlifeanddeathinsomeplaces,orbetweenareasonably
comfortablelifeandbeingzombifiedbycompulsorymedstwentyfourhoursaday.
IcouldntsaythatIwasabsolutelysurejustwhatMPDis,howitworks,orreallyanythingassimpleasdiagnosticproceduresthatworkedineverycase.Agood
partofwhatwereseeinghereisaverytightinteractionbetweenthepatientsandthedoctors,whereacertainamountofthesyndromeisoccurringintheinteractions
betweenthem,andthatmakesitverydifficulttotellwhatsreallygoingon.DoyougetMPDwhenyourediagnosedorwhenyouretwoyearsold?Idliketofind
out,inadefinitiveway,butitgetsmoredifficulteveryday.Thethingistakingonalifeofitsown.
Butinthiscase,atleast,theresnotmuchargumentaboutwhethertheincidentbetweenSarah(whohadnoobjectiontoherfirstnamebeingused,butnother
lastA.R.S.)andMarkPetersonreallyhappened...thatsnotwhatsatstake.Afterall,Sarahsconditionwasntexactlyasecret.Herfriendsknewtheneighbors
knewshehadMPD.AndPeterson...jesus.Heshookhishead.Itwascleartoeverybodythattheguywasarealsleazebag,andthathewaslying...afterall,he
braggedaboutitafterwardstofriends.Hell,hebraggedaboutittothecops.
Ratherthandelegatingthetrialtoaprosecutor,WinnebagoCountyDistrictAttorneyJosephPaulusishandlingthecasehimself.HetakesPetersenthroughthehoops,
thendoublesback.LetsgetbacktoyourmakinglovetoJennifer,Paulussays.
Petersonimmediatelycorrectedhim.IneversaidImadelovetoher.
Pauluslookedfaintlyannoyed,wentbacktohistableandriffledthroughapileofpapersthere.Wehaveastatementherefromyou,inwhich...ahHefoundthe
pagehewaslookingforyougaveOfficerBarnesastatementinwhichyouclaimedtohavemadelovetoJennifer.
Well,I...thatsnotright.
Wouldyoulikemetoreadittoyou?Pauluswaslookingatthepapersinhishandhebarelylookedupwhenhesaidit.
No.ImeanIknowwhatIsaid,andthatstatementwasincorrect.Paulusseyebrowscameupatrifle,buthisexpressiondidntchange.InyourstatementtoOfficer
BarnesyousaidthatyouandSarahhaddiscussedhermultiplepersonalitiesbeforeyouwenttothepark,isthatcorrect?
No,sir.

Page28

Youdidnttalkabouthermultiplepersonalitieswithher?
No,sir.
Atanytime?
Thatsright.
Paulusputmostofthepapersdown,orratherslappedthemdown,androundedonPeterson.Hewasplainlyangry.Youallowedallkindsofuntruthstogointothis
statement,didntyou?
Petersonfumbledforamoment.Iwastiredfromalongdayswork,hesaid.
FreudandBreuerpublishedtheirclassicworkStudiesinHysteriain1895.Thebookconsistedofsomecasehistoriesoftheirfemalepatientsandanumberof
chaptersontheory.Allthewomendescribedinthecasehistorieshadwhatwouldbetheoreticallydescribedasdissociativedisorders.Inaddition,mosthadbeen
sexuallyabused.InRosssview,AnnaO.,thesubjectofthemostfamouscasehistoryinthebook,clearlyhadMPD.Uptothatpoint,Freudhadconsideredthese
patientsassufferingfromtheadultconsequencesofrealchildhoodsexualabuse.Histreatmenttooktherealityofthetraumaintoaccountfrombothclinicaland
theoreticalperspectives.
However,withinafewyearsofpublishingStudiesinHysteria,Freudrepudiatedtheseductiontheorywhichhehadsocarefullyandeffectivelyworkedout.Thispoint
inFreudsdevelopmentofhispsychoanalytictheoryhasbeenafocusforstudyforsometimeforexample,ErnestJonespointedoutinhisbiographyofFreud(1953)
thatmanyoftheabusivefathersofFreudsdissociativefemalepatientswerepartofFreudssocialcircle.ThiswouldhavemadeitextremelyawkwardforFreudto
statepubliclythathispatientshadbeensexuallyabusedaschildren.AnnaO.sfamilylivedintheLiechtensteinerstrasse,onlyoneblockfromtheBergasse,where
Freudbothlivedandworked.Breuer,forhispart,wasextremelyuncomfortablewiththesexualaspectsofAnnaO.ssymptomatology(Jones247).
EdwardSalzsieder,Petersonsattorney,startedoutwithanoveland,untilthatmoment,unthinkableidea.SalzsiedersuggestedthateventhoughWisconsinlaw
forbadequestioningarapevictimabouthersexualhistory,suchprotectionshouldntextendtoallofherotherpersonalities.Soheproposedquestioningtheother
personalitiesFrannyandGingerinparticularabouttheirsexualhistories.Manyobserversfeltthatthiswasoneofthekeypointsinthedefinitionofmultiple
personalityasaconditionorstatewithlegalstandingotherthanasapathology.Forbetterorworse,JudgeHawleydidntthinkmuchoftheidea.Hedidappreciateits
com

Page29

plexity,thoughWeretryingtosplitsomeveryfinehairshere,hesaidbuthewasntwillingtotaketheideasofarastoimputeautonomytothemultiples.Ido
find,hesaid,thattherapeshieldlawappliesto[Sarah]andallherpersonalitiescombined.
ThatthrewSalzsiederbackonhisownresources.Deprivedoftheopportunitytoquestionthepersonalitiesabouttheirindividualsexualexploits,hefellbackonthe
strategyofattackingtheirlegitimacy.TobringthisoffheneededtoassembleacadreofMPDinfidels,unbelieverswithlegalandprofessionalstaturewho,hehoped,
couldcastdoubtonthewholeideaofMPD.Asitturnsout,itwasntdifficulttodo.Allkindsofpeoplewerewillingtotestifyonallsidesoftheissue.ButSalzsieder
waslookingforaspecialperson,someonewhonotonlydidntbelieveinMPDbutwhocouldconvinceacourtthatMPDwasaconvenientfantasy,somethingthat
Sarahhadreadaboutandthenadoptedtoexcuseherpromiscuousbehavior.EventuallyhecameupwithDonaldTravers.TraversisfromWisconsin,aslightly
baldingmanofmediumbuildwhowhenonthestandprojectstheproperblendofsoberprofessionalismandeasybelievabilitythatSalzsiederneeded.Traversisan
impressiveinfidel.HeisanarticulatespeakerwhoisconvincedthatMPDisamedicalhoaxandwhomSalzsiederhadgottentoreviewSarahspsychiatricrecordsfor
thepreviousyear.
SalzsiederstartedbygettingTraverstoattackthecredibilityofMPDasadiagnosticcategory.AfterTraverswasswornin,SalzsiederaskedHowmany
psychologistsactuallyhavepatientswithMPD?
Theresabandofveryintensebelieverswhohaveallthesightings,wheretherestofusneverseeany,Traverssaid.WhatIcalltheUFOsofpsychiatry.
Inyourprofessionalopinion,whatwouldyoucallSarahscondition?
TraversputhisfingertipstogetherlikeacharacterfromaPerryMasonepisode.Iwouldsaythat...IbelieveSarahdoeshavepsychiatricproblems,buther
problemsdontappeargraveenoughtofitwithintheDSM3guidelines.
Sheswellenoughtoknowwhatshesdoing.Isthatwhatyoumean?Responsibleforherownactions?
Thatscorrect.
InoneofthefoundationalaccountsofMPD,ColinRossidentifiesthefragmentationofselfandthetransformationofidentitythatoccursacrossethnicandcultural
boundaries,allofwhichhelumpstogetherundertherubricofaberration.Whilehisidentificationofthischaracteristicofhumanculturesiscorrect,hisuseofthe
rubricispeculiarly

Page30

situated.RossisinterestedinmakingastrongcaseforlegitimizingMPDasarecognizedmedicalphenomenon,andinsodoingheseemstofeelthathemustexplain
awaytheproblemofwhymanyofthecultureshementionsinpassingdonotthemselvespathologizeMPD.RosscanperhapsbeexcusedforpathologizingMPDtout
court,becauseheevincesagenuineinterestinassistingtheindividualshehasobservedwhoseaccommodationtoburiedtraumacauses,inhiswords,moresuffering
thanitprevents.Iamprimarilyconcernedherewithhowthephenomenonofmultiplepersonalityfitsintoabroaderframeworkofculturaldevelopmentsinwhichthe
abstractmachineofmultiplicity(inDeleuzeandGuattariswords)isgrindingfinerandfiner.Amongthephenomenaatthecloseofthemechanicalagewhichareuseful
tonoteisthepervasiveburgeoningoftheonticandepistemicqualitiesofmultiplicityinalltheirforms.
Itisthemomenteveryoneinthecourtroomhasbeenwaitingfor.Peoplehadbeenstandinginlinesincebeforedawntoassurethemselvesofseatsinthecourtroom.A
fewhadbroughtfoldingchairstousewhiletheywaitedinthepredawnchill.Somesatonbeachblanketswiththermosjugsofsteamingcoffee.Thecompositionofthe
crowdwasextraordinarilydiverse.
AfteranagonizingwaitwhilepeoplechattedtoeachotherwiththesamelivelyanimationIassociatedwithwaitingforthestartofalonganticipatedfilm,thebailiff
calledtheroomtoorder.Thesilencewasinstantaneous.Allrise,thebailiffcalled,andHawleystrodein,followedbythecourtstenographer.
Hawleysatdowninthehighbackedleatherchair,squaredsomethingonhisdesk,andlookeddownfromthebenchatthepackedcourtroom,hisglassescatchingthe
light.Thesoundofpeoplegettingseateddiedaway,andahushagainfellovertheroom.
ForthemostpartHawleyhadnotsaidverymuchbeyondwhatwasrequiredofhimaspresidingmagistrate,butthismorningheclearedhisthroatandmadeabrief
introductoryspeech.Hisvoicecarriedwellintheroom.Itwasacalmvoice,nottooinflected.
Beforeweproceedanyfurther,Iwanttomakesureallthevideoandfilmequipmentinthisroomisturnedoffandthatallthecamerasaredownoutofsight.He
scannedtheroomslowly,moreforeffectthanforsurveillance,thencontinuedinthesamecalmvoice.Therehasbeenanunusualamountofattentionsurroundingthis
case.Theissuesweareconsideringareofanunusualnature.ButIwanttomakeitcleartoeveryoneherethatthisisnotacircus.Thisisaverysensitivecase.There
maybesomebizarrebehaviorthatyouhavenotwitnessedbefore.Butnothing

Page31

shouldgetinthewayofthisbeingacourtoflaw,firstandforemost.IknowthatIcanexpectyoutobehaveappropriately.
Nodsfromthespectators.Peoplesettleddeeperintotheirseats.Theunusuallylargepopulationofprofessionalsamongthespectatorsnowmadeitselfknownas
peoplereachedintobagsandbriefcasesfortheiryellownotepads,makingtheroombloomlikeagrayfielddottedwithbuttercups.
HawleynoddedtoPaulus.Thesilencedeepened,ifthatwerepossible,andPauluscalledhisfirstwitnessoftheday.
Sarahwalkedbrisklytothestand.Sheseatedherselfandwasswornin.SheputherhandsinherlapandlookedcalmlyatPaulus.Thisisthemainevent,Ithought.It
iswhatthiswholethingisabout,really.Itisnotcolumnsinanewspaper.Itisnottheoryordiscussion.Itisnotsoundbytemediahype.Itisayoung,calm,slightly
Asianlookingwomaninawhitecottonsweaterandapaleblueskirt.
Paulusstoodafewfeetinfrontofher,holdinghisbodyrelaxedandstill.Hespoketoherinanormalconversationaltone,notveryloudbutclearlyaudibleinthesilent
room.
Sarah,youveheardsometestimonyhereaboutsomeeventsthattookplacerecentlyinShinerPark.Doyourecallthattestimony?
Sarahnoddedslightly,thenadded,Ido.
Doyouhaveanypersonalknowledgeastotheeventsinthepark?
No,Sarahsaid,Idonot.Hervoicewasquiet,flat,matteroffact.
Whowouldbeinthebestpositiontotalkabouttheeventsintheparkthatnight?
Franny,Sarahsaid.
Woulditbepossibleforusto,uhPaulushesitatedandlookedlikehewantedtoclearhisthroat,buthesettledforaninstantspauseinsteadandthencontinued
meetFranny,andtalktoher?
Yes,Sarahsaid,lookingcalmlyathim.Abeatortwo.Now?
Yes,Paulussaid.Takeyourtime.
Thesilencewasabsolute.Faintly,fromsomewhereoutsideinthehallway,somethingmetallicdroppedtothefloorandrolled.
Sarahclosedhereyesandslowlyloweredherheaduntilherchinwasrestingonherchest.Shesatthatway,herbodystill,breathingslowlyandshallowly.Itseemed
asthougheveryoneintheroomheldacollectivebreath.Themutedhushoftheairconditioningcameslowlyupfromthebackgroundasifsomeonehadturnedupa
volumecontrol.
Maybefivesecondspassed,maybeten.Itfeltlikehours.Thensheraisedherhead,andslowlyopenedhereyes.
ShelookedatPaulus,andsuddenlyherfacewasanimated,aliveandmobileinawaythatithadntbeenamomentago.Themusclesaround

Page32

hermouthandeyesseemedtoworkdifferently,tobesomehowmorerobust.Shelookedhimupanddown,takinghiminwithobviousappreciation.Hello,she
said.
Franny?Paulussaid,inquisitively.
Goodmorning,Frannysaid.Shelookedaroundatthewindowlesscourtroom.Orgoodafternoonwhichisit?Herphrasingwasmoremusicalthanithadbeen,
withanoddlilttothewords.It,too,wasanimated,butitdidntsoundquitelikeananimatedvoiceshouldhavesounded.Also,oncloserinspectionitappearedthat
themoreanimatedlookofherfeatureshadntmadeitdownintoherbody.Herposture,thewaysheheldherself,thepositionsofhershouldersandlegsandthe
relativetensioninthemusclesofherbody,hadntchangedverymuchfromSarahsposture.
Pauluslookedasifhewantedtofeelrelieved,butagainhehiditquickly.Its,uh,morning,actually,hesaid,inaconversationaltone.Howareyoutoday?
Imfine.Howareyou?Thesamelilttothewords.
Justfine.NowIwasjusttalkingtoSarahafewmomentsago,andIdliketotalktoyouaboutwhathappenedJuneninthof1990.HeglancedupatHawley.But
beforewedothat,thejudgehastotalktoyou.
HawleylookeddownatFranny.Whenshefacedforwardmostofwhathecouldseeofherwasthetopofherhead,butsheturnednowtofacehim.Herexpression
washardtocatch,butHawleylookedperfectlyplacid,asifswearinginseveralpeopleinonebodyweresomethinghedideveryday.Franny,hesaid,Idlikeyou
toraiseyourrighthandforme,please.
Hawleysworeherin,hisfaceimpassive.Itsoundedlikeanyothercourtritual.WhentheygottothesohelpyouGodpart,FrannysaidYes,theybothlowered
theirhands,andsheturnedbacktoPaulus.
Whatdidhesay?
Hesaiditfeltgood.AndIknewwhatIwassupposedtodowhenhesaidthat.IseenitonTV.Peoplewigglinglikethat.Andwhenapersonsaysitfeelsgood,the
otherpersonissupposedtosayitfeelsgood.SoIputmyarmsaroundhisback,andIsaid,Thatfeelsnice.
Diditfeelnice?Paulusasked.
No,shesaid,soundingperplexed.Butyouresupposedtosaythat,arentyou?ItwasonTV.
AnimportantaspectofFreudspersonalgenius,andonewithlastingimportforthedevelopingfieldofpsychoanalysis,washisabilitytoconstructaclinicallyplausible
andsociallyacceptabletheorythatexplainedthephenomenonofadultdissociationandsimultaneouslydeniedthere

Page33

alityofchildhoodsexualabuse.This,whichRossreferstoasFreudsunfortunatemetapsychologicaldigression,wasthetheoryoftheOedipusandElektra
complexes.Returningresolutelytohispoint,RossassertsthattheOsiriscomplexmoreclearlydescribeswhathappensintheetiologyofMPDthantheOedipusor
Elektracomplexescan,anditdoesitwithaminimumofdescriptionifeconomyofrepresentationcountsforanything,theOsiriscomplexwinshandsdown.The
troublewiththeOsirismythinamodernclinicalframe,asRosscomments,isthatinourculture,theoriginalagentofthefragmentationofselfdoesnotalwaysreceive
divineretribution....
FromthepointatwhichFreudrepudiatedtheseductiontheory,andcontinuingforwardalmosttothepresent,psychoanalystsofFreudianpersuasionconsidered
patientswithdissociativedisordersoftraumaticorigintobesufferingfromunresolvedunconsciousincestuousfantasies.Thisstateofaffairshasbeentreatedatlength
byfeministscholars(e.g.,Rivera1987,1988Sprengnether1985,amongothers).
WearestilllookingattraumaticallyproducedMPDhere,stillusingthefinalDtoindicatethatthethingisadisorderandnothingmore.Justwhatisit,then,thatweare
lookingat,andwhyisMPDsoimportanttoanexaminationofcommunicationtechnology?Moretothepoint,isthereanyroomfornontraumaticmultiplicityinanyof
theseclinicalaccounts?AtonepointRoss,forexample,answersthisquestionalmostdismissivelyandwithcompleteselfconfidence:Theterm(multiplepersonality)
suggeststhatitisnecessarytodebatewhetheronepersoncanreallyhavemorethanonepersonality,or,putmoreextremely,whethertherecanreallybemorethan
onepersoninasinglebody.Ofcoursetherecant...(41).AndhereRossmissessomeofthemostcrucialimplicationsofhisstudy.
Multiplepersonality(withoutthestigmatizingfinalD)isamodethatresonatesthroughouttheaccountsIpresenthere.Rosssresearchbothaffirmsanddeniesthat
modeinacomplexway.Hehasaclearinvestmentinaffirmingtherealityofaclinicaldefinitionofmultiplicity,andhisviewsconcerningFreudsproblemsincomingto
gripswiththeprobableetiologyofclinicalmultiplicity(withtheD)areusefulinstudyingtheinfluenceFreudhashadonthefieldofpsychoanalysis.ForreasonsthatI
findnotentirelyclear,hedismissesoutofhandtheideathattherecanbemorethanonepersoninasinglebody.Atthatpointheappearstofallbackonreceived
socialandculturalnormsconcerningthemeaningofpersonandbody.LikethesurgeonsattheStanfordGenderDysphoriaProject,ofwhomIhavewritten
elsewhere,Rossstillactsasagatekeeperformeaningwithinalargerculturalframe,andinsodoinghisstakesandinvestmentsbecomeclearer.

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Inthiscontext,thecontextofmultiplicityandpsychology,itisusefultoconsidertheworkofSherryTurkle.InherstudyConstructionsandReconstructionsofthe
SelfinVirtualReality,presentedattheThirdInternationalConferenceonCyberspace,Turklenotes:
Thepowerofthe(virtual)mediumasamaterialfortheprojectionofaspectsofbothconsciousandunconsciousaspectsoftheselfsuggestsananalogybetweenmultipleuser
domains(MUDs)andpsychotherapeuticmilieus....MUDsareacontextforconstructionsandreconstructionsofidentitytheyarealsoacontextforreflectingonoldnotionsof
identityitself.Throughcontemporarypsychoanalytictheorywhichstressesthedecenteredsubjectandthroughthefragmentedselvespresentedbypatients(andmost
dramaticallytheincreasingnumbersofpatientswhopresentwithmultiplepersonality)psychologyconfrontsthewaysinwhichanyunitarynotionofidentityisproblematicand
illusory.Whatistheselfwhenitfunctionsasasociety?Whatistheselfwhenitdividesitslaboramongitsconstituentaltersoravatars?Thoseburdenedbyposttraumatic
dissociativesyndrome(MPD)sufferthequestioninhabitantsofMUDsplaywithit.

InTurklescontext,thecontextofvirtualsystems,thequestionthatRossdismissesas,tohim,obviouslyfalsenamely,canmultipleselvesinhabitasinglebodyis
irrelevant.Comparedtorealspace,invirtualspacethesocioepistemicstructuresbymeansofwhichthemeaningsofthetermsselfandbodyareproduced
operatedifferently.Turkleseizesuponthisandturnsitintoapsychotherapeutictool.Moreover,Turkleshowshowtheusesofvirtualspaceasanadjuncttotherapy
translateacrossdomains,beyondthevirtualworldsandintothebiological.WhatinthiscontextmightbecalledtheultimateexperimentpluggingapersonwithMPD
intotheMUDshasyettobeperformed.Thuswehavenotyetobservedoneofitspossiblyhopefuloutcomes:healingtrauma,butpreservingmultiplicityorperhaps
morepertinent,creatingdiscursivespaceforapossiblytransformativelegitimizationofsomeformsofmultiplicity.Theanswerstothequestionsposedabovewhyis
MPDsoimportanttoanexaminationofcommunicationtechnology,andisthereroomfornontraumaticmultiplicityinclinicalaccountsinfineareboundupwiththe
prostheticcharacterofvirtuality.Thetechnosocialspaceofvirtualinteraction,withitsirruptiveludicquality,itspotentialforexperimentationandemergence,canbea
problematicandhopefuldomainofnontraumaticmultiplicity.Turkleandothers,myselfincluded,

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arewaitingtoobservehowthedialoguebetweennontraumaticmultiplicityandclinicalaccountsemergesinanewtherapeuticcontext.
Doyourememberwhatyoutalkedaboutwhilehewasthere?
Mostofitwassmalltalk.Irecalltellinghimthatweweremany,thereweremanyofusinthebody.Isaidweweremultiple,thatwesharedthebody.Itoldhimabout
someoftheothers.
Howdidhereacttoyourtellinghimaboutsomeoftheothers?
Hedidntseemsurprised.
Althougheveryonehadtheirownreasonforbeingthere,nobodycouldquiteexplainwhattheirfascinationwiththecourtroomscenewas.Itriedtomakeafewmental
models,anditdidntwork.Thecourtroomaudiencesbehavior,though,wasitsowngiveaway.Itsattentionwasonthemomentofrupture,conjoiningthesacredand
theforbidden.Iamcertainlynotthefirsttolabelthismomentthemomentofinterruption,whentheseamlesssurfaceofrealityisrippedasidetorevealthenutsand
boltsbywhichthestructureismaintained.Sarahwasaliminalcreature,markedasrepresentingsomethingdeeplydesiredanddeeplyfeared.Inthesamecourtanax
murdererwouldattractacertainghoulishattention,butnothinglikethefascinationwewereseeinghere.Ontheprinciplethatwhereonefindsacircumstancewhichis
afocusofthemostintenseemotionalenergycoupledwiththeleastunderstandingofwhyitissuchafocus,thereistheplacetodig,thenitseemedclearenoughthat
themomentFrannyappearedwasthatmoment.
Multiplepersonality,asitiscommonlyrepresented,isthesiteofamassiveexerciseofpoweranditsaftermath,thesiteofamarshalingofphysicalproofthatidentity
ofwhateverformarisesincrisis.Itvividlydemonstratestheconnectionbetweentheviolenceofsplittingoffastringofidentitiestotheviolenceofrepresentation
underthesignofthepatristicWordinacourtoflaw.Inorderfortheprosecutionsstrategytowork,thevictimmustmanifestacollectionofidentities,eachoneof
whichisrecognizabletothejuryasalegalsubject.Wearewitnessestoanexerciseofpower,toanefforttofixinpositionaparticularsubjectivity.Havingthusbeen
drawntothegrotesqueinthiscase,tothespectacleofthemaimedpersonawemightreflectonhowwegothereandwhereweweregoingwhenourattention
wasarrested.
Firstisthespectacleofviolenceatthemargins,attheoriginsofsubjectconstruction.Tomakethediscreditedmovefromthelocaltotheuniversal,intheviolenceby
whichthemultiplesubjectisconstitutedinthemedicalsyndromewerecognizetheelementsbywhichnationalidentities

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havetraditionallyarisentheconsolidationofasenseofconsciousautonomyinanactofviolence,temporallyandphysicallyatthesiteofitsapplication.Weare
witnessestoaspectaclethatascivilizedbeingswewouldprefernottoacknowledgeasiteatwhichtheapparatusofproductionofsubjectivityislaidbareandthe
safecourseistoviewsuchasiteasanaberration,aspathology,engenderedbyanunfortunateencounterwithasickauthor(ity).Wefailtomaketheidentification
whenconfrontedwithaparticularnarrativeofpassage,thatofrecognizingtheprotagonistasoneself.Wemissthelessonofhowwecametobecapableofbeing
constructedaswitnessesaborigine,misscomprehendingourownviolentorigin.
ThetrialendswithPetersonsconviction.
Thisoutcomeisamixedgrillforthevariousinterestssurroundingthetrial.Whilethereareseveralpointsonwhichnewlawmighthavebeenwritten,twoinparticular
areinterestinginconnectionwiththePetersontrial.Oneconcernstheconflationofmultiplepersonalitywithmentalillness.Anotherconcernsthelegalstatusofeach
memberofamultiplepersonality.Bothoftheserelatetoissuesofhowculturalmeaningisconstructedinrelationtobodiesandselves.
RuthReeves,Sarahsdownstairsneighbor,isawomanwithnoparticularinvestmentinmuchofthedebate.Ivemetmostofthem(thepersonalities),andtheyre
real,shesays.Itsnodifferent,really,thantalkingtoaroomfulofpeople.
Doyouthinkshessick...mentallyill?Imean,multiplepersonalityasadisease...
Well,herpersonalitiesmostlyjustseemtolivetheirlives.Itsnotlikeoneofthemsamurdererorgoesaroundbustingupthefurniture.Someofthemarenthealthy
forher,though.Ihopetherapycanhelpher,soshedoesnthavetodothingslikeeatcrayonsorburnherself.ButShelookedthoughtfulforamoment,searching
forwords.
Youknow,shesaid,ifthetherapyturnsouttobeeffectiveImgoingtomissthepersonalities.Theyreawonderfulbunchoffolks.
TheverdictupholdsexistingWisconsinlaw.Thelawstatesthatitisacrimetohavesexwithamentallyillpersonifthepersonissoseverelyimpairedthatheorshe
cannotappreciatetheconsequencesoftheirbehavior,andiftheotherpersonknowsoftheillness.BecausethetrialmadenoattempttoseparatetheissueofMPD
fromissuesofmentalillness,theverdictreinforcesthegeneralconflationofmultiplepersonalitywithmentalillness.Thisseemsnaturaltothegreatmajorityofmental

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healthprofessionalswhoviewedthetrial.Afew,whoperceivedtheopportunitytodecriminalizeMPD,aredisappointed.
Multiplepersonalitycoversabroadrangeofphenomena,whichincludeswithinitsspectrumsuchthingsasspiritpossession.Multiplepersonalitydisorderisthe
officialtermforaconditionwhichincludes,amongotherthings,blackouts.Thatis,onlyonepersonalityisoutatatime,andifthereisadominantpersonalityitsuffers
memorygapsduringthetimetheotherpersonalitiesareout.Youfindclothesinyourclosetsthatyouhavenomemoryofhavingbought,andworseyet,theyarent
thecutorcoloryouwouldeverthinkofbuying,onemultiplesays.Yougetcourtsummonsesabouttrafficviolationsyoudidntcommit,youwakeupinthemorning
andfindyouhaveburnsandbruisesandyouhavenoideahoworwhereyougotthem.Ingeneralthedominantpersonalityisfrightenedandtroubledbythese
occurrences.Thedominantpersonalitymayalsohavedifficultycopingintheworld,anditisthismaladjustment,orthefearanddisorientationcausedbytheblackouts,
thatgenerallybringsthepersonintothedoctorsoffice.
Attheotherendofthespectrumarepersonswhoalsoconsiderthemselvesmultiples,butwhodonotsufferblackoutsandwhoclaimtoretainawarenessofwhatthe
alterpersonalitiesaredoingwhentheyareout.Thesepersonsfindthemselvesinadifficultsituation.Iftheyasserttheirmultiplicity,theyfearbeingpathologized,so
theytendtoliveinthecloset,likeothermarginalizedgroups.Theylivelargelyclandestineexistences,holdingregulardayjobsandoccasionallysocializingwithother
multiplesofsimilartype.Theyworryaboutbeingdiscoveredandbeingforcedtoquittheirjobs,oraboutbeingdeclareddisabledormentallyincompetent.Theyhave
nocommonliteraturewhichunitesthemthemultipleequivalentofTheWellofLonelinesshasyettobewritten.Theiraccustomedmodeofexistence,sharingasingle
bodywithseveralquasiindependentpersonalities,isemblematicofafairpercentageofeverydaylifeatthecloseofthemechanicalage.

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TWO
TwoLessonsfromBurroughs
StevenShaviro
Seattle,1993.Dontbelievethehype.Ifindmyselfstrandedinthisobsessivelyhealthminded,puritanical,routinized,andrelentlesslycheerfulcity,lifelinescut,lost
withoutmyvitalsupplyofcounteractingstimulants.Yes,someofthebandsarestillgreat,despitetheinsidiouspressuresoffame:Nirvana,Mudhoney,SevenYear
Bitch.Butotherwise,nothing.IstraintoheartheechoofBurroughsssilentscream:Whatscaredyouallintotime?Intobody?Intoshit?Iwilltellyou:theword.
Butdoesanyoneevenremember?Theseprefabricatedcombinationsofwords,andthesecarefullycrafted,HWPbodies,areallIcanfind,perhapsallthereis.
Organicismisamyth.Ourbodiesareneverourselves,ourwordsandtextsareneverreallyourown.Theyarentus,buttheforceswhichcrushus,thenormsto
whichwehavebeensubjected.Itsarelieftorealizethatcultureisafterallempty,thatitsimposingedificesaresoundstagefacades,thatbodiesareextremelyplastic,
thatfacialexpressionsaremasks,thatwordsinfacthavenothingtoexpress.Bodiesandwordsarenothingbutexchangevalue:commoditiesormoney.Allwecando
isappropriatethem,distortthem,turnthemagainstthemselves.Allwecandoisborrowthemandwastethem:spendwhatwehaventearnedanddontevenpossess.
Suchismydefinitionofpostmodernculture,butitsalsoCitibanksdefinitionofahealthyeconomy,JacquesLacansdefinitionoflove,andJ.G.Ballardsvisionof
lifeinthepostindustrialruins.Sodontbeagoodcitizen.Dontproduce,expend.Beaparasite.LiveoffyourVisacard,orscavengeinthedebris.
Withallthisinmind,Iwanttoproposeabiologicalapproachtopostmodernism.Ethologyratherthanethnology.AsweknowfromFoucault,

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fromFranoisJacob,andfromDonnaHaraway,biologyasweunderstandittodayisaveryrecentinvention.Butofcourseitworksbothways.Everymutationin
cultureisanewstateofthebody.Technologicalchanges,asMcLuhansaid,arealterationsintheverynatureofoursensesandofournervoussystems.Theinventions
thatmake,say,geneticengineeringpracticablearethemselvesbiologicalinnovations.Theconditionsofpossibilityforpostmodernismfirstevolvedsomethinglikeone
millionyearsago,withtheappearanceinourhominidancestorsofwhatmightbecalledtheRonaldReagangeneormeme:theprogramfordeceivingothersmore
effectivelybyatthesametimedeludingyourself.Thisallowsyoutoprojectapowerfulauraofabsolutesincerity.Pullthewooloveryourowneyes,astheChurchof
theSubGeniusputsit.ButtheReaganstrategyisonlyonemoveinalonghistoryofmanipulations,powergrabs,andscams.FreudandLacantothecontrary,theres
nothinglessessentialist,lessorganicist,morepolitical,andmorehistoricallyvariablethanouranatomyorbiology.Ileaveopenforthemomentthequestionof
justhowfarthispronominalourextends.
NobodyunderstandstheseissuesbetterthanWilliamBurroughs.Allhismajornovels,fromNakedLunch(1959)toTheWesternLands(1987),haveexploredthe
landscapeofpostmodernbiology,withitsdeliriumsanditsterrors.ThatswhyIinvokehimasmyguideinwhatfollows.Theselessonsaboutlanguageandabout
insectsareonlytwoofmanytobelearnedfromBurroughs.Butawordofcautionisinorder.AswereadinNovaExpress:Andwhatdoesmyprogramoftotal
austerityandtotalresistanceofferyou?Iofferyounothing.Iamnotapolitician....TospeakistolieToliveistocollaborateTherearedegreesoflying
collaborationandcowardiceItispreciselyaquestionofregulation....
1.LanguageIsaVirus
Whichcamefirst,theintestineorthetapeworm?Inthisepigram,WilliamBurroughssuggeststhatparasitismcorruption,plagiarism,surplusappropriationisin
factconterminouswithlifeitself.Thetapewormdoesntsimplyhappentoattachitselftoanintestinethatwasgettingalongperfectlywellwithoutit.Sayratherthatthe
intestineevolvedinthewaythatitdidjustinordertoprovidethetapewormwithacomfortableorprofitablemilieu,anenvironmentinwhichitmightthrive.My
intestinesareonasintimatetermswiththeirtapewormsastheyarewithmymouth,myasshole,andmyotherorganstherelationshipisasintrinsicandorganicin
theonecaseasitisintheother.Justlikethetapeworm,Iliveoffthesurplusvalueextractedfromwhatpassesthroughmystomachandintestines.Whostheparasite,
then,andwhosthehost?Theinternal

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organsareparasiticupononeanothertheorganismasawholeisparasiticupontheworld.Myinnardsarereallyaholegoingstraightthroughmybodytheir
contentsshitandtapewormremainforeveroutsideofandapartfromme,evenastheyexistatmyverycenter.ThetapewormismoremethanIammyself.My
shitismyinneressenceyetIcannotassimilateittomyself,butfindmyselfalwayscompelledtogiveitaway.(HenceFreudsequationoffeceswithmoneyandgifts
andArtaudssenseofbeingrobbedofhisbodyandselfhoodeverytimehetookashit.)Interioritymeansintrusionandcolonization.Selfidentityisultimatelya
symptomofparasiticinvasion,theexpressionwithinmeofforcesoriginatingfromoutside.
Andsoitiswithlanguage.InBurroughssfamousdictum,languageisavirusfromouterspace.Languageistothebrain(andtothespeakingmouthandthewritingor
typinghand)asthetapewormistotheintestines.Orevenmoreso:itmayjustbepossibletofindadigestivespacefreefromparasiticinfection(thoughthisis
extremelyunlikely),butwewillneverfindanuncontaminatedmentalspace.StrandsofalienDNAunfurlthemselvesinourbrains,evenastapewormsunfurl
themselvesinourguts.Burroughssuggeststhatnotjustlanguage,butthewholequalityofhumanconsciousness,asexpressedinmaleandfemale,isbasicallyavirus
mechanism.Thisisnottoclaim,inthemannerofSaussureandcertainfoolishpoststructuralists,thatallthoughtislinguistic,orthatsocialrealityisconstitutedsolely
throughlanguage.Itisrathertodeprivilegelanguageandthustotakeapartthecustomaryoppositionbetweenlanguageandimmediateintuitionbypointingoutthat
nonlinguisticmodesofthought(whichobviouslyexist)arethemselvesalsoconstitutedbyparasiticinfiltration.Visualapprehensionandtheinternaltimesense,totake
justtwoexamples,arebothradicallynonlinguisticbuttheytoo,intheirownways,aretheatersofpowerandofsurplusvalueextraction.Lightsearsmyeyeballs,
leavesitstracesviolentlyincisedonmyretinas.Durationimposesitsungraspablerhythms,emptyingmeofmyownthought.Virusesandparasiticwormsareatwork
everywhere,multipleoutsidescolonizingourinsides.Thereisnorefugeofpureinteriority,notevenbeforelanguage.Whoeverweare,andwhereverandhowever
wesearch,wearealltaintedwithviralorigins.
Burroughssformulationisofcoursedeliberatelyparadoxical,sincevirusesareneveroriginarybeings.Theyarentselfsufficient,orevenfullyalivetheyalwaysneed
tocommandeerthecellsofanalreadyexistinghostinordertoreproduce.AvirusisnothingbutDNAorRNAencasedinaprotectivesheaththatistosay,itisa
messageencodedinnucleicacidwhoseonlycontentisanordertorepeatitself.Whenalivingcellisinvadedbyavirus,itiscompelledtoobeythisorder.Here
themedium

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reallyisthemessage:forthevirusdoesntenunciateanycommand,somuchasthevirusisitselfthecommand.Itisamachineforreproduction,butwithoutany
externalorreferentialcontenttobereproduced.Avirusisthusasimulacrum:acopyforwhichthereisnooriginal,emptilyduplicatingitselftoinfinity.Itdoesnt
representanything,anditdoesnthavetoreferbacktoanystandardmeasureorfirstinstance,becauseitalreadycontainsalltheinformationandonlythe
informationneededforitsownfurtherreplication.Marxsfamousdescriptionofcapitalappliesperfectlytoviruses:deadlabourwhich,vampirelike,livesonlyby
suckinglivinglabour,andlivesthemore,themorelabouritsucks.
Reproduction(sexualorotherwise)isoftensentimentallyconsideredtobethebasicactivityandfundamentalcharacteristicoflife.Butitisarguablymoreaviralthana
vitalprocess.Reproductionissofarfrombeingstraightforwardlyorganic,thatitnecessarilyinvolvesvampirism,parasitism,andcanceroussimulation.Weareall
taintedwithviralorigins,becauselifeitselfiscommandedandimpelledbysomethingalientolife.Thelifepossessedbyacell,andallthemoresobyamulticellular
organism,isfinallyonlyitsabilitytocarryouttheorderstransmittedtoitbyDNAandRNA.Itscarcelymatterswhethertheseordersoriginatefromavirus,orfrom
whatweconceiveasthecellsownnucleus.Forthisdistinctionisonlyamatterofpracticalconvenience.Itisimpossibleactuallytoisolatetheorganisminastate
beforeithasbeeninfiltratedbyviruses,oralteredbymutationswecannotseparateoutthedifferentsegmentsofDNA,anddeterminewhichareintrinsictothe
organismandwhichareforeign.OurcellsownDNAisperhapsbestregardedasaviralintruderthathassosuccessfullyandoversolongastretchoftimemanaged
toinsinuateitselfwithinus,thatwehaveforgottenitsalienorigin.Ourgenespurposesarenotours.AsRichardDawkinsputsit,ourbodiesandmindsaresurvival
machinesprogrammedforreplicatinggenes,giganticlumberingrobotscreatedforthesolepurposeoftransmittingDNA.Burroughsdescribeslanguage(or
sexuality,oranyformofconsciousness)asthehumanvirus.Allourmechanismsofreproductionfollowthevirallogicaccordingtowhichlifeproducesdeath,and
deathinturnlivesofflife.Andsorememberthisthenexttimeyougushoveracuteinfant.Cryofnewbornbabygurglesintodeathrattleandthecrystalskull,
Burroughswrites,THATISWHATYOUGETFORFUCKING.
Languageisoneofthesemechanismsofreproduction.Itspurposeisnottoindicateorcommunicateanyparticularcontent,butmerelytoperpetuateandreplicate
itself.Theproblemwithmostversionsofcommunicationstheoryisthattheyignorethisfunction,andnaivelypresentlanguageasameansoftransmittinginformation.
Yetlanguage,likeavirus

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orlikecapital,isinitselfentirelyvacuous:itssupposedcontentisonlyacontingentmeans(thehostcellortheparticularcommodityform)thatitparasitically
appropriatesfortheendofselfvalorizationandselfproliferation.Apartfromthemedium,theresnoothermessage.Butiflanguagecannotbeapprehendedinterms
ofinformationalcontent,stilllesscanitbeunderstoodonthebasisofitsformorstructure,inthemannerofSaussure,Chomsky,andtheirfollowers.Thesetheorists
makeanequivalent,butsymmetricallyopposite,errortothatofcommunicationstheory.Theysubstituteinnercoherenceforoutercorrespondence,differential
articulationforcommunicativeredundancy,andselfreferenceforexternalreferencebutbyisolatinglanguagesselfrelationalstructureortransformationallogic,they
continuetoneglecttheconcreteandpragmaticeffectsofitsviolentreplicatingforce.Bothcommunicationalandstructuralapproachestrytodefinewhatlanguageis,
insteadoflookingatwhatitdoes.TheybothfailtocometogripswithwhatJ.L.Austincallstheperformativeaspectoflinguisticutterance:thesenseinwhich
speakingandwritingareactions,waysofdoingsomething,andnotmerelywaysof(con)statingorreferringtosomething.(Ofcourse,statingandreferringareinthe
lastanalysisthemselvesactions.)Languagedoesnotrepresenttheworld:itintervenesintheworld,invadestheworld,appropriatestheworld.Thesupposed
postmoderndisappearanceofthereferentinfacttestifiestothesuccessofthisinvasion.Itsnotthatlanguagedoesntrefertoanythingreal,buttothecontrary
thatlanguageitselfhasbecomeincreasinglyreal.Farfromreferringonlytoitself,languageispowerfullyintertwinedwithalltheotheraspectsofcontemporarysocial
reality.Itisavirusthathasalltoofullyincorporateditselfintotheeverydaylifeofitshosts.
Avirushasnomorals,asRosavonPraunheimputsit,talkingaboutHIVandsimilarlythelanguagevirushasnomeanings.Evensayingthatlanguageisperformative
doesntgofarenoughforitleavesasidethefurtherquestionofwhatsortofactisbeingperformed,andjustwhoisperformingit.ItisnotIwhospeaks,butthe
virusinsideme.Andthisvirus/speechisnotafreestandingaction,butamotivatedanddirectedone:acommand.MorsePeckham,DeleuzeandGuattari,and
Wittgensteinallsuggestthatlanguageislessperformativethanitisimperativeorprescriptive:tospeakistogiveorders.Tounderstandlanguageandspeechisthento
acknowledgetheseorders:toobeythemorresistthem,buttoreacttotheminsomeway.Analienforcehastakenholdofme,andIcannotnotrespond.Ourbodies
similarlyrespondwithsymptomstoinfection,ortotheordersofviralDNAandRNA.AsBurroughsremindsus:thesymptomsofavirusaretheattemptsofthe
bodytodealwiththe

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virusattack.Bytheirsymptomsyoushallknowthem....Ifavirusproducesnosymptoms,thenwehavenowayofknowingthatitexists.Andsowithalllinguistic
utterances:Iinterpretastatementbyreactingtoit,whichistosaybygeneratingasymptom.Voicescontinuallycallandrespond,invokeandprovokeothervoices.
SpeakingisthusinFoucaultssenseanexerciseofpower:itincites,itinduces,itseduces,itmakeseasierormoredifficultintheextremeitconstrainsorforbids
absolutelyitisneverthelessalwaysawayofactinguponanactingsubjectoractingsubjectsbyvirtueoftheiractingorbeingcapableofacting.Asetofactionsupon
otheractions.Usuallyweobeyordersthathavebeengivenus,viscerallyandunreflectivelybutevenifweselfconsciouslyrefusethem,wearestilloperatingunder
theirconstraint,oraccordingtotheirdictation.Yetsinceanorderisitselfanaction,andtheonlyresponsetoanactionisanotheraction,whatWittgensteinironically
callsthegulfbetweenanorderanditsexecutionalwaysremains.Icanreplytoaperformanceonlywithanotherperformanceitsimpossibletostepoutsidethe
seriesofactions,tobreakthechainandisolateonceandforallthetruemeaningofanutterance.Thematerialforceoftheutterancecompelsmetorespond,butno
hermeneuticscanguaranteeorlegislatetheprecisenatureofmyresponse.Theonlyworkablewaytodefinemeaningisthereforetosay,withPeckham,thatitis
radicallyarbitrary,sinceanyresponsetoanutteranceisameaningofthatutterance.Anyresponsewhatsoever.Thisaccountsbothforthefascistic,imperative
natureoflanguage,andforitsinfinitesusceptibilitytoperversionanddeviation.StrandsofDNAreplicatethemselvesadinfinitum.Butinthecourseofthesemindless
repetitions,unexpectedreactionsspontaneouslyarise,alienvirusesinsinuatethemselvesintotheDNAsequence,andradiationproducesrandommutations.Itsmuch
likewhathappensinthechildrensgameTelephone:evenwhenasentenceisrepeatedasexactlyaspossible,ittendstochangeradicallyoverthecourseoftime.
Weallhaveparasitesinhabitingourbodiesevenasweareourselvesparasitesfeedingonlargerstructures.Callthisaformulafordemonicorvampiricpossession.
ThegreatmodernistprojectwastolettheBeingofLanguageshineforth,orsomesuchgrandiosenotion.IftheIwasnotthespeaker,themodernistsbelieved,this
wasbecauselanguageitselfspoketomeandthroughme.Heideggeriswellawarethatlanguageconsistsingivingorders,butheodiouslyidealizesthewholeprocess
ofcommandandobedience.Wepostmodernistsknowbetter.Wemustsay,contrarytoHeideggerandLacan,thatlanguageneverspeaksitselfaslanguage:its
alwayssomeparticularparasite,withitsowninterestsandperspective,thatsissuingtheordersandcollectingtheprofits.Whatdistinguishesa

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virusorparasiteispreciselythatithasnoproperrelationtoBeing.Itonlyinhabitssomebodyelsesdwelling.Everydiscourseisanunwelcomeguestthatspongesoff
me,withoutpayingitsshareoftherent.Mybodyandhomearealwaysinfestedwhetherbytapewormsandcockroaches,orbyMartiansandpoltergeists.Language
isnttheHouseofBeing,butafairgroundfilledwithhuckstersandconartists.ThinkofMelvillesConfidenceManorBurroughssinnumerablepettyoperators,all
pullingtheirscams.MichelSerres,inTheParasite,tracesendlesschainsofappropriationandtransfer,subtendingallformsofcommunication.(Heplaysonthefact
thatinFrenchthewordparasitehastheadditionalconnotationofstatic,thenoiseonthelinethatinterfereswithorcontaminateseverymessage.)Inthisincessant
commerce,thereisnoBeingofLanguage.Buttherearealwaysvoices:voicesandmorevoices,voiceswithinandbehindvoices,voicesinterferingwithorreplacingor
capturingothervoices.
IhearthesevoiceswheneverIspeak,wheneverIwrite,orwheneverIpickupthetelephone.MarshallMcLuhanarguesthattechnologicalchangeliterallyproduces
alterationsintheratioofoursenses.Themediaareartificiallygeneratedparasites,prostheticorgans,theextensionsofman.Contemporaryelectronic
telecommunicationsmediaareparticularlyradical,astheydontjustamplifyonesenseorganoranother,butrepresentanexteriorizationoftheentirehumannervous
system.Todaywedontneedshamansanylonger,sincemodemsandFAXesareenoughtoputusincontactwiththeworldofvampiresanddemons,theworldof
thedead.Virusesrisetothesurface,andappearnotjustinthedepthsofourbodies,butvisiblyscrawledacrossourcomputerandvideoscreens.InWilliamGibsons
CountZero,theHaitianloasmanifestthemselvesincyberspace:spiritsarisingintheintersticesofourcollectivelyextendedneurons,anddemandingpropitiation.In
certainissuesoftheDCcomicbookDoomPatrol,writtenbyGrantMorrisonandillustratedbyRichardCase,welearnthatthetelephoneisamediumthrough
whichghostsmightcommunicatewordsspokenoverthephoneareaconjuration,asummoning.Thedeadareunablefullytodepartfromtheelectronicworld.
Theyleavetheirvoicesbehind,resonatingemptilyafterthem.Thebuzzingorstaticthatwehearonthetelephonelineisthesumofallthefaintmurmuringsofthedead,
blankvoicesofmissedconnections,echoingtoinfinity.Thesesenselessutterancesatoncefeedupon,andserveasthepreconditionsfor,myownattemptstogenerate
discourse.Butsuchparasiticvoicesalsoeasilybecomefodderforcentralizingapparatusesofpower,likethemilitarysC3Isystem(command/control/communication/
intelligence).DoomPatrolrevealsthatthePentagonisreallyapentagram,aspirittrap,alenstofocusenergy.Theastralhusksofthedeadaretrappedinits
depths,fedtothevoraciousTelephoneAvatar,andputto

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workontheAntFarm,amachinerywhoseonlypurposeistobeitsownsweetself.AsBurroughsalsonotes,thelifeindeathofendlessviralreplicationisatonce
themethodandtheaimofpostmodernarrangementsofpower.
Nomoribundhumanistideologieswillreleaseusfromthisdilemma.Preciselybyvirtueoftheirmoribundstatus,callstosubjectiveagency,ortocollectiveimagination
andmobilization,merelyreinforcethefeedbackloopsofnormalizingpower.Foritisonlybyregulatingandpunishingourselves,internalizingthesocialfunctionsof
policingandcontrol,thatweeverarriveatthestrangenotionthatweareproducingourownproperlanguage,speakingforourselves.Burroughsinsteadproposesa
stranger,moreradicalstrategy:Asyouknowinoculationistheweaponofchoiceagainstvirusandinoculationcanonlybeeffectedthroughexposure.Forallgood
remediesarehomeopathic.Weneedtoperfectourownhabitsofparasitism,andevermorebusilyfrequentthehabitationsofourdead,intheknowledgethatevery
selfperpetuatingandselfextendingsystemultimatelyencountersitsownlimits,itsownparasites.Letusbecomedandiesofgarbage,andcultivateourown
tapeworms,likeUncleAlexanderinMichelTourniersnovelGemini(LesMtores).Stylize,enhance,andacceleratetheprocessesofviralreplication:forthereby
youwillincreasetheprobabilityofmutation.InBurroughssvision:Thevirusplaguesemptywholecontinents.Atthesametimenewspeciesarisewiththesame
rapiditysincethetemporallimitsongrowthhavebeenremoved....Thebiologicbankisopen.Itsnowtimetospendfreely,tomortgageourselvesbeyondour
means.
Donttrytoexpressyourself,thenlearnrathertowritefromdictation,andtospeakrapturouslyintongues.Anauthorisnotasublimecreator,asDr.Frankenstein
wantedtobe.Heorsheismorewhatiscalledachanneller,orwhatJackSpicerdescribesasaradiopickingupmessagesfromMars,andwhatJacquesDerrida
referstoasasphincter.EverythinginBurroughssfictionisresolvedintoandoutofaspinningasshole,whichisalsofinallyacosmicblackhole.InChesterBrowns
comicbookEdtheHappyClown(originallyYummyFur),thereisamanwhosuffersfromabizarrecompulsion:hecantstopshitting.Morecomesoutthanhe
couldeverpossiblyhaveputin.Itturnsoutthathisassholeisagatewaytoanotherdimension,atransferpointbetweenworlds.Thisotherdimensionisntmuch
differentfromours:ithasitsownhierarchiesofmoneyandpower,itsownecologicaldilemmas,evenitsownRonaldReagan.Butwhatsimportantistheprocessof
transmission,andnotthenatureoftheproduct.Wasteistheonlywealth,andthatshowmasterpiecesareborn.Whylingeroverbookstowhichtheauthorhasnot
beenpalpablyconstrained?(Bataille).Thisconstraint,thispressureinmyintestinesand

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bowels,markstheapproachoftheradicallyOther.Itsinsuchterms,perhaps,thatwecanbestrespondtoGeorgeClintonsexhortation:Freeyourmind,andyour
asswillfollow.
2.TheInsectPeopleofMinraud
Weallhaveourtotemanimals,ourfamiliars,ourspiritguides.Theyareusuallyothermammals,sometimesbirds,occasionallyevenreptilesoramphibiansbuttheyare
almostalwaysvertebratesofonesortoranother.Ourrelationshipswithinsects,ontheotherhand,tendtobestranger,moreuncanny,moredisturbing.Fewofus
Spidermanasidewillinglyacceptintimacywiththearthropods.Insectcollectingisahobbyfewcanshare,asShonenKnifegentlylaments.Burroughswaxeslyrical
aboutcats,aboutlemurs,aboutsables,raccoons,minks,otters,skunksandsandfoxesbuthecanonlyapproacharthropodswithanobsessive,fascinated
repulsion.HisnovelsarefilledwithhallucinatoryvisionsoftheinsectandcentipederiddenrealmsofMinraudandEsmeraldas,placesofsexualtortureandsacrifice.
Exceptionstothishorrorcanperhapsbemadeforthebeautyofbutterflies,andforthesavorinessofcertainnoninsectarthropods,likecrustaceans.Butalmost
nobodyenjoysourenforcedproximitytobedbugs,cockroaches,andhouseflies.Isourdisgustsimplytheresultofbeingconfrontedwithalifeformsoutterlyalien?
Ourlineageseparatedfromtheirsmorethan600millionyearsago,evenbeforetheCambrianexplosion.Theinsectsmodesoffeedingandfucking,thosetwomost
crucialbiologicalfunctions,areirretrievablydifferentfromours.Lookingacrossthevastevolutionarygap,weareseizedbyvertiginousshuddersofgastronomical
nauseaandsexualhysteria:
Wehaveallseennaturefilmsinwhichenormouslymagnifiedinsectsunfeelinglydismembertheirprey.Theirglitteringmultifacetedeyesstareatthecamerawhiletheircomplex
mouthpartsworkbusily,munchingthroughstillstrugglingvictims.Wecanempathizewithourcloserrelativesthelions,whoatleastseemtoenjoytheirbloodywork.Butwhen
thefemalemantisbitestheheadoffitsmateinordertoreleaseitscopulatoryreflex,itdoessoatthebehestofaninstinctthatseemstohavenothingtodowithlove,hate,or
anythingelsetowhichwecanremotelyrelate.(ChristopherWills,TheWisdomoftheGenes)

Suchanenthralleddisgustiscrucialtothepostmodernexperienceoflimits.ThenarratorofClariceLispectorsThePassionAccordingtoG.H.iscaptivatedbythe
sightofawoundedcockroach,trappedinadoorjambasawhitishandthickandslowpasteoozesoutofitsrupturedbody.

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Afterpagesofobsessivecontemplationanddescription,sherituallydevoursthecockroach,findinginittheimpossibleembodimentofaprehistoric,presymbolic,
ecstaticprimaldivinematter(CamilloPenna).Butthiseffortatcommunionnecessarilyfails.Thefleshofthesquashedbugissacred,asBataillemightputit,because
itisprimordiallyambivalent:itarousesbothdisgustanddesire,atoncedemandingandrepellingourintimatecontact.Wecannottouch,muchlesseat,thisdebased
matterandyetwecannotstopourselvesfromtouchingandeatingit.Insectlifeisanalienpresencethatwecanneitherassimilatenorexpel.Professionalexterminators
knowthiswell,andsodothebesttheologiansandphilosophers.MuchinkhasbeenspilledrecentlyexploringThomasNagelsquestion,whatisitliketobea
bat?ormoreaccurately:isitpossibleforustoknowwhatitsliketobeabat?Butthewholediscussionlookssuspiciouslylikeareplayoftheoldphilosophical
canardregardingtheallegedunknowabilityofotherminds,onlytrickedoutthistimeinpostmoderndrag.Andinanycasethebatisstillamammal,afairlyclose
relativeofours.Thatmakesitallmuchtooeasy.Wouldntitbemorerelevantandusefultoposethequestionofradicalothernessinbiologicalterms,insteadof
epistemologicalones?Itwouldthenbecomeaproblem,notofmetaphoricallyenteringthemindofabat,butofliterallyandphysicallyenteringormetamorphosing
intothebodyofahousefly.Andresolvingsuchaproblemwouldinvolvethetransfer,notofminds,butofDNA.Whatsimportantisnottointuitwhatitmightbe
liketobeanotherspecies,buttodiscoverexperimentallyhowactuallytobecomeone.SuchistheimportofCronenbergsfilmTheFly.
BurroughscitesRuleOneofthebasicbiologiclaw,rigidlyenforcedbytheBiologicPolice:Hybridsarepermittedonlybetweencloselyrelatedspeciesandthen
grudgingly,thehybridsproducedbeingalwayssterile.Toinnovatemeanstoviolatethislaw,tointroducealiengeneticmaterial,toassumetherisksofbiologicand
socialchaos.Butthen,virusesandbacteriaaredoingthisallthetime.TheresnothingnewaboutgeneticengineeringasLynnMargulispointsout,humansareonly
nowadoptingtechniquesthatprokaryoteshavealreadybeenpracticingforbillionsofyears.Asforviruses,theyseemjusttobetransposableelementssuchascan
befoundinanygenomewhichhaverevoltedagainstthetyrannyoftheorganism,orotherwisegottenoutofhand.Frommeiosistosymbioticmerger,everygenetic
recombinationisanewthrowofthedice.Nosuchprocesscanbecontrolledordeterminedinadvance.InCronenbergsfilm,HomosapiensmeetsMusca
domesticaonlybythesheerestcontingency.ThetransformationofSethBrundle(JeffGoldblum)intoaninsectormoreprecisely,intothemonstroushybrid
Brundleflyisastatisticalaberration:animprobableaccident,afortuitousencounter,anirrepro

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ducible,singularevent.ThatswhySethneverquitecomprehendswhatshappeningtohim,atleastnotatthemomentthatithappens.Hisscientificconsciousnesslags
perpetuallybehindhisceaselesslymutatingbody.Histheoriesabouthisconditionareoutofdatebythetimeheuttersthem.Cronenbergshumanturnedflyisthe
postmodernrealizationofNietzschesprophecyoftheOverman:manissomethingthatshouldbeovercome.FortheUbermenschisnotthehigherman,norishe
anysortoffixedentity.Ratherheisaperpetualbecoming,anungroundedprojectionintounknowablefuturity.ThesingularhybridBrundleflyisjustsuchabody,
withoutstableidentity,caughtinthethroesoftransformation.DidNietzscheeversuspectthathisgreatmetaphysicallongingwouldbemostcompellinglyrealizedin
insectform?Anyscientistcanmakeobservationsabouthowflies(orbats,orhumans)actingeneralbutevenSethBrundleneverknowsfromtheinsidewhatits
liketobeafly.Forwhatitslikenecessarilyinvolvestheirreversibleotheringoftheknower:thegoingunderoftheOverman,thecontinualbecomingof
Brundlefly.Thepursuitofknowledge,asFoucaultputsit,shouldresultnotjustintheacquisitionofthingsknown,butaboveallinthegoingastrayoftheonewho
knows.
Insectsarewellaheadofhumansinthisregard.Radicalbecomingstakeplaceroutinelyintheirownlives.Thisisespeciallysoingroupsthatpassthroughpupal
metamorphosis.Theirbodiesarebrokendownandcompletelyrebuiltinthecourseoftransmutationfromthelarvaltothematurestage.Isthebutterflyatonewith
thecaterpillar?Isthishouseflybuzzingaroundmyheadthesameasthemaggotitusedtobe?Onegenome,onecontinuouslyreplenishedbody,onediscretely
boundedorganismandyetaradicaldiscontinuitybothoflivedexperienceandofphysicalform.Thesurplusvalueaccumulationoflarvalfeedinggiveswaytolavish
expenditure:theextravagantcolorationofthebutterflies,thecoprophiliccopulationofhousefliesandothers.Insectlifecyclescontinuallyaffirmthepossibilitiesof
radicaldifferenceevenifantsandbeeswouldcooptthisdifferenceintothehomogenizingmoldoftheState.Everyinsectisasingularitywithoutidentity,in
GiorgioAgambensphrase.ThefringebiologistDonaldI.Williamsonevengoessofarastoarguethatlarvalstagesareremnantsofsymbioticmergersbetween
formerlyindependentorganisms.Butwhetherornotthisbeliterallythecase,Brundleshybridizationcertainlyopensthedoortoyetstrangermetamorphoses.The
bodyofaninsectfarmoreradicallythanthemindofadialecticianisperpetuallyotherthanitself.
Thehighintelligenceandadaptiveflexibilityofmammalsisusuallyattributedtoourprematurebirth,andourconsequentlongperiodofgrowthoutsidethewomb.
Geneticsissupplementedbyempiricallearning

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andparentalguidance.Welaydownnumerousmemorytraces,andbuildupcomplexpersonalities.Learningdoesntplaysucharoleininsectdevelopment:notonly
becausetheyhavetoofewneuronstostoreallthatinformation,butmorecruciallybecausememorytracescannotsurviveintactthroughthevastphysiologicalchanges
ofpupaltransmutation.Wehighermammalsliketocongratulateourselvesonoursupposedabilitytoalterourownbehavioradaptivelyinthespanofansinglelifetime.
Butthiscomplacencymaywellbeexaggerated.Innovationisharderthanitseems.Insectsusuallymanagetoadapttochangedenvironmentalcircumstancesalot
fasterthanwedo,thankstotheirgreaterpropensitytogeneratemutations,andtheirfarhigherrateofgeneticrecombinationoverthecourseofmuchshorter
reproductivecycles.Inhumansandothermammals,oncememorytracesareforgedandreinforced,itsnearlyimpossibletogetridofthem.Andasifthatwerent
enough,wevealsoinstitutedtraditionsandnormsofcriticalreflection,thebettertopoliceouridentities,andtopreventourmindsandbodiesfromgoingastray.
Education,afterall,isjustasubtlerandmoresadisticallyrefinedmodeofoperantconditioningthantheoneprovidedbydirectgeneticprogramming.AsEliasCanetti
remarks,nototalitariandespotcaneverhopetodominateandcontrolhissubjectssoutterlyashumanparentsactuallydotheirchildren.Weacceptsuchdiscipline
largelybecausewefeelcompensatedforitbytheprospectofimposingitinturnuponourowndescendants.Ourmammaliantalentsformemoryandselfreflection
servelargelytooppressuswiththedeadweightofthepast.MorsePeckhamisrighttoinsistthatonlyculturalvandalismtheaggressiveunderminingofestablished
valuesthroughrandom,mindlessactsofdestructioncanfreeusfromthisweight,andstimulatesocialinnovation.Wehumansneedtopushourselvestosuch
disruptiveextremesotherwisewehavenohopeofmatchingtheinsectsastonishingabilitytoadaptivelyaltertheirphysiologyandbehaviorinarelativelybrieftime.
Unburdenedbymammalianscruples,insectseffortlesslypracticetheNietzscheanvirtueofactiveforgetting:theadultflydoesntrememberanythingthemaggotonce
knew.
Postmodernbiologyisincreasinglyorientedtowardwhatmightbecalledaninsectparadigm.Inpostmodernbiotechnology,accordingtoDonnaHaraway,no
objects,spaces,orbodiesaresacredinthemselvesanycomponentcanbeinterfacedwithanyotheriftheproperstandard,thepropercode,canbeconstructedfor
processingsignalsinacommonlanguage.Theorganicismofromanticandmodernistthoughttogetherwithitspoliticalcorrelate,thedisciplinarybiopoliticsso
powerfullydescribedbyFoucaulthasgivenwaytoanewmodeloflifeprocesses.Postmodernbodiesareneithervitalisticnormechanistic.Theyarestruc

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turedthroughprinciplesofmodularinterchangeabilityandserialrepetitiontheyinnovate,notonthebasisofanypregivencriteria,butexperimentally,bycontinualtrials
ofnaturalselection.Arthropodbodyplansareespeciallypostmodern,builtastheyareonmultiplyrepeatedsegments,whichcanbefusedoralteredtogeneratenew,
differentiatedstructures.(Theorganicmetaphorsofthenineteenthcentury,incontrast,areidealizationsofvertebratebodyplans.)Geneticengineering,whethercarried
outinthelaboratoryorinnature,requiresjustsuchamodularflexibility.StephenJayGould,reflectingontheastonishingvarietyofarthropodformsdiscoveredin
thefossilsoftheBurgessshale,suggeststhattheinitialCambriandiversificationofmulticellularlifeprogressedpreciselyinthisway.Cambrianevolutionseemstohave
takentheformofagrabbag,mixingandmatchingbodysegmentsinaprocessmuchlikeconstructingamealfromagiganticoldstyleChinesemenu:onefrom
columnA,twofromB,withmanycolumnsandlonglistsineverycolumn(WonderfulLife).Thiskindofthingdoesntmuchhappeninmacroevolutionanylonger
butitsstillcrucialonthemoleculargeneticlevel,asChristopherWillsarguesinTheWisdomoftheGenes.Certainmimeticbutterflies,forinstance,havelinked
supergenecomplexesthatallowthemalternativelytomimicanyoneofanumberofvastlydifferentmodelspecies.Segmentedrepetitionwithmodularvariation
remainsthebasicorganizingprincipleofallinsectgenomes:hencethefrequencyofhomeoticmutationsmultipliedwingsandlegs,antennaetransformedintolegs,
addedorsubtractedsegmentsinlaboratorystrainsofDrosophila.MelancholyoldconservativeslikeJeanBaudrillardfearthatpostmodernmodularcodingleads
toapreprogrammedsatellitizationofthereal,andfinallytoitstotalextermination.Buteventheslightestacquaintancewithinsectswillconvinceyouthatcontrary
toBaudrillardsclaimsthehyperrealismofsimulationallowsforafargreaterexplosionofchange,multiplicity,andsheerexuberantwastethantraditionalorganicist
modelsofproductionandcirculationeverdid.
Harawaypointsoutthatrecentdevelopmentsinpostmodernbiologyinvolvearadicalproblematizationanddenaturalizationofallnotionsoftheorganismandthe
individual.WitnessLynnMargulisonthesymbioticbasisofeukaryoticcells,RichardDawkinsonselfishgenes,parasitism,andtheextendedphenotype,andLeo
Bussonthemultiple,variantcelllineagesofmammalianimmunesystems.Whenwelookatthemoleculargeneticbasisoflife,allwecanfindaredifferencesand
singularities:multiplevariations,competingalleles,aberrantparticledistributions,unforeseeablesequencetranspositions.Thesemultiplicitiesneveradduptoanything
likeadistinctspeciesidentity.Postmodernbiologythusdealsnotwithfixedentitiesandtypes,butwithrecurringpatterns

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andstatisticalchangesinlargepopulationswhetherthesebepopulationsofgenesorpopulationsoforganisms.Ittendstoemphasizeanomalousphenomenalike
retroviralinfectionsandhorizontalgenetransfersinsuchencounters,alterationceasestobeahereditaryfiliativeevolution,becomingcommunicativeor
contagious(DeleuzeandGuattari).Postmodernbiologymovesdirectlybetweensingularitieswithoutidentityandpopulationmultiplicities,withouthavingrecourse
eithertointervening,mediatingterms,ortooverarchingstructuralorders.Itrejectstheholismformerlyattributedbothtotheindividualorganismandtothelarger
ecosystem.Lookatthemutationsandtranspositionshauntinganygenome,orobservethebehavioralquirksofthecockroachesinvadingyourapartment.Youwillfind
whatDeleuzeandGuattaricall
molecular,intensivemultiplicities,composedofparticlesthatdonotdividewithoutchangingtheirnature,anddistancesthatdonotvarywithoutenteringanothermultiplicityand
thatconstantlyconstructanddismantlethemselvesinthecourseoftheircommunications,astheycrossoverintoeachotherat,beyond,orbeforeacertainthreshold.(A
ThousandPlateaus)

Theobsolescenceofthoseoldorganicistandholisticmythsopensthewaytostrangenewsocialandpoliticalarrangements.Inourpostmodernworld,thedisciplinary
poweranalyzedbyFoucaultiscontinuallybeingdisplacedintomoresubtlyinsidiousmodesofoppression.Theubiquitouscodesofaninformaticsof
domination(Haraway)areinitiallydeployedbygovernmentbureaucracies,andthenprivatizedasthepropertyofmultinationalcorporations.Suchflexibleand
universalcodes,insinuatingthemselveswithinallsituationsbyaprocessofcontinualmodulation,arethehallmarkofwhatDeleuze,followingBurroughs,callsthe
postmodernsocietyofcontrol.Cyberneticregulationisthehumanequivalentofthepheromonesystemsthatregulateallactivityinanantcolony.Butletsnotassume
thatthisnewarrangementofpowerforeclosesallpossibilitiesofresistanceandchange.AsDeleuzesays,theresnoneedtofearorhope,butonlytolookfornew
weapons.SethBrundlespeaksofhisparadoxicaldesiretobecomethefirstinsectpolitician,suggestingthepossibilityofanalternativeinsectpolitics,differentfrom
thetotalitarianismofantsandbees.Considerthatflies,likemidgesandmosquitoes,tendtoswarmandthatlocustsperiodicallychangeform,andlaunchforthinto
massnomadicrampages.Suchinsectsformimmensecrowdswithoutadoptingrigidlyhierarchicalstructures.Theirlooseaggregationsofferfarmoreattractive
prospectsforpostmodernsocialitythandotheStateorganizationsoftheHymenoptera.Insectswarmsarepopulationsincontinualflux,distributingthemselves
randomlyacrossavastterritory.Theyareal

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teredbytheveryprocessesthatbringthemtogether,sothattheycanneitherbeisolatedintoseparateunits,norbeconjoinedintoahigherunity.Theirrelationsare
distancestheirmovementsareBrowniantheirquantitiesareintensities,differencesinintensity(DeleuzeandGuattari).Ifpostmodernpowerisexemplifiedbythe
informationalfeedbackmechanismsoftheinsectsocieties,thenmaybeapostmodernpracticeoffreedomcanbediscoveredintheuncannyexperienceoftheinsect
swarms.Thenexttimeyouseefliesswirlingoverapieceofdung,reflectuponwhatAgambencallsthecomingcommunity,onethatisnotgroundedinidentity,and
notmediatedbyanyconditionofbelongingoruponwhatBlanchotcallstheunavowablecommunityorthenegativecommunityor(quotingBataille)the
communityofthosewhodonothaveacommunity.
Postmodernpolitics,likepostmodernbiology,mustinanycasecometogripswithnaturalselection.Theromanticsandthemodernistsalikemisconceivedevolutionin
melioristicormoralizingterms.Eventoday,NewAgesentimentalistssearchfranticallyforanymetaphysicalsolacethatmightpalliatetheharshnessofneoDarwinian
struggle.Weheartalesofbeneficentfeedbackmechanisms(GregoryBateson,JamesLovelock),ofheartwarmingcooperativeendeavors(FrancescoVarela,
StephenJayGould),ofsynchronicspeciesprogression(RupertSheldrake),orofstrangeattractorsattheendofhistory(TerenceMcKenna).Theseareallvisionsof
aworldwithoutinsects,oneinwhichchangewouldalwaysconformtoourpettybourgeoisstandardsofnicenessandcomfort.BurroughsandCronenbergknow
better,asdobiologistslikeRichardDawkins.Welive,asBurroughsremindsus,inawaruniverse.Ifwewanttosurvive,wemustavoidthefacileselfdeceptionsof
teleologicalandruledrivenexplanations.Letusratherconstructourwarmachinesaccordingtopragmatic,immanent,selectionistprinciples.Mammalianimmune
systemsinfactalreadyworkinthisway:theylearntorecognizeanddestroyenemyproteinsasaresultofdifferentialreproductionratesamongwidelyvaryingT
cells.SimilarmodelsfortheadaptivegrowthofneuronsinthehumanbrainneuralselectionismandneuralDarwinismhavebeenproposedbyGerald
Edelman,StevenPinker,andothers.Andartificialintelligenceresearchhasstartedtoexplorethepossibilitiesofallowingselectionalprocessestooperateblindly,
insteadofimposingpredeterminedalgorithms.AllsuchselectionalsystemsarewhatDeleuzeandGuattaricalldesiringmachinesorbodieswithoutorgans:theyare
notclosedstructures,butrelationalnetworksthatworkonlywhentheybreakdown,andbycontinuallybreakingdown.Breakdownsareinevitable,sincethe
processofadaptationisneverrapidenoughtokeepupwiththepaceofcontinualchange.Andeverybreakdownbringstotheforean

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immensereservoirofnew,untappeddifferencesandmutations:materialinrandomvariationuponwhichselectioncanoperate.Theseselectionalprocesses,therefore,
donotguaranteeusanythinginadvance.Theydonotprovideforafuturethatwillcomfortinglyresemblethepresentorthepast.Theydonothelpustoimaginehow
thingsmightbebetterthatoldutopianfantasy,muchbelovedofprogressivesocialcritics.Rather,theirpoliticalefficacyliesinthis:thattheyactuallyworkto
producedifferenceswecouldnoteverhaveimagined.Theyprovokeinnovationsfarstrangerandmoreradicalthananythingwecanconceiveonourown.Ilovethe
uncertaintyofthefuture,asNietzschesostirringlywrote.
Socultivateyourinnerhouseflyorcockroach,insteadofyourinnerchild.Letselectionalprocessesdotheirworkofhatchingalieneggswithinyourbody.Anddont
imagineforasecondthattheseremarksaremerelyanthropomorphizingmetaphors.Wecankillindividualinsects,asspidersdobutwecantforallthatextricate
ourselvesfromtheinsectcontinuumthatmarkslifeonthisplanet.Theselectionalforcesthatmodulateinsectbodiesandbehaviorsarealsorestlesslyatworkinour
ownbrains,shapingourneuronsandevenourthoughts.Doessuchanidearevoltyou?Theproblemmightbethatwecantreadinsectexpressions:wedontknow
whattheyarethinking,oreveniftheyarethinking.Butthismayjustbeanunwarrantedvertebratephysiologicalprejudiceafterall,insectsarenaturally
expressionless,sincetheyweartheirskeletonsontheoutside(ChristopherWills).Watchforwhentheinsectmolts,anditsinnervulnerabilityisexposed.
Weshouldrejectalldistinctionsofinnerandouter,asofnatureandculture.Howcouldyoueverhopetoseparategeneticinfluencesfromenvironmentalones,or
biologyfromsociology?Thosesocialcriticswhothinkbiologicalmeansahistoricalandunchangingandrejectnaturalisticexplanationsonthatbasisclearlydont
knowwhattheyaretalkingabout.Thebizarre,irreversiblecontingenciesofnaturalhistoryandculturalhistoryalikestandoutagainstallendeavorstoendowlifewith
meaning,goal,orpermanence.Entomologyisfarlessessentialistic,farmoreopentodifferenceandchange,farmoreattentivetothebody,thanare,say,cultural
critiquesgroundedinFrankfurtSchoolpostMarxismandLacanianpsychoanalysis.Itscommoninwellmeaningacademichumanistcirclestoloatheanddespise
sociobiology.Butthisisntjustamatterofdisputingsomeratherdubiousclaimsaboutparticularaspectsofhumanbehavior.Whatmanyofmycolleaguesreallycant
forgiveissociobiologysinsistenceuponbiologicalembodimentitself.Itsnotreallyaquestionofwhetherthisorthatgendertraitisreallywritteninourgenes,so
muchasitisacaseofthepanickydenialofevolutionarycontingency,orgeneticlimitation,altogether.Dialecticalbiologistslike

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RichardLewontin,togetherwiththeirsocialdeterministallies,merelyperpetuateamassive,andquitetraditional,idealizationofhumanculture:onethathaslongfueled
delusivefantasiesofredemptionandtranscendence,andthathasservedasanalibiforallsortsofcontrolsoverpeopleslives,andmoralisticmanipulationsofactual
humanbehavior.EdwardO.Wilson,tothecontrary,madeonlyonerealmistakewhenhecametosystematizethedisciplineofsociobiology:thiswashischoiceof
ants,ratherthanhousefliesorcockroaches,asanimplicitreferencepointforexamininghumannature.Bethisasitmay,entomologicalintuitionscontinuetobemore
illuminatingandprovocativethannarrowlyhumanisticones.MauriceMaeterlinckwellexpressedtheuncannyfascinationofinsectlifenearlyacenturyago:The
insectbringswithhimsomethingthatdoesnotseemtobelongtothecustoms,themorale,thepsychologyofourglobe.Onewouldsaythatitcomesfromanother
planet,moremonstrous,moredynamic,moreinsensate,moreatrocious,moreinfernalthanours.Whathaschangedinthispictureinthelastonehundredyears?Only
onething.Wepostmodernshavecometorealizethatsuchaliensplendorispreciselywhatdefinesthecrueltyandbeautyofourworld.

PARTII:
SOMEGENDERS

Page57

THREE
TheEndoftheWorldof
WhiteMen
KathyAcker
Itwasthedayswhenmenwerecuttingtheircocksoffandwomenwereputtingonstrapons...

TheMusessometimesformintheselowhauntstheirmostlastingattachments...
Artaudspeaks:
WhenOwasayounggirl,aboveallshewantedamantotakecareofher.
Inherdream,thecitywastherepositoryofalldreams.
Acitywhichisalwaysdecaying.Inthecenterofthiscity,herfatherhadhangedhimself.
Thiscantbetrue,Othought,becauseIveneverhadafather.
Inthisdream,shesearchedforafather.
Sheknewthatitwasadumbthingforhertodobecausehewasdead.
Sinceshewasntdumb,shethought,shemustbetryingtofindhimsothatshecouldescapefromthehouseinwhichshewasliving,whichwasrunbyawoman.
Owenttoaprivatedetective.HecalledOadame.
Imlookingformyfather.
Theprivateeye,whoinonerealitywasafriendofOs,repliedthatthecasewasaneasyone.
Olikedthatshewaseasy.
Andsotheybegan.First,accordingtohisinstructions,Otoldhimallthatsheknewaboutthemystery.Ittookherseveraldaystorecountallthedetails.
AtthattimeitwassummertimeinDallas.Allyellow.

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Odidntrememberanythinginoraboutthefirstperiod.Ofherchildhood.
Afternotremembering,sherememberedthejewels.Whenhermotherhaddied,ajewelcasehadbeenopened.Thecase,consistingofonetray,heldinsidesofred
velvet.Oknewthatthiswasalsohermotherscunt.
Owasgivenajewelwhichwasgreen.
Odidntknowwherethatjewelwasnow.Whathadhappenedtoit.Herewasthemysteryofwhichshehadspoken.
Theprivateeyepursuedthematter.Acoupleofdayslater,hecameupwithherfathersname.
Oli.
Thenamemeantnothingtoher.
YourfathersnameisOli.Furthermore,yourfatherkilledyourmother.
Thatspossible,Othought,asifthinkingwasdismissing.
Thedetectivecontinuedtogiveherdetailsaboutherfather:hewasfromIowaandofDanishblood.
Allofthiscouldbetruebecausewhatcouldsheinallpossibilityknow?
WhenOwokeupoutofherinsanedream,sherememberedthathermotherhaddiedeightdaysbeforeChristmas.Despitethenotelyingbesidethedeadbodyin
whichthelocationofthefamilywhitepoodlewasrevealed,thecopswereconvincedthatthemotherhadbeenmurdered.Byamanunknown.Sinceitwasnow
Christmas,thesecopshadnointentionofinvestigatingamurderratherthanreturningtotheirfamilies,Christmaswarmth,andholiday.
Orealized,forthefirsttimeinherlife,thatherfathercouldhavemurderedhermother.Accordingtotheonlymemberofherfathersfamilywhomshehadevermet,a
rolypolyfirstcousinwhosedaughterpickedupBowerybumsforsexualpurposes(accordingtohim),herfatherhadmurderedsomeonewhohadbeentrespassingon
hisyacht.
Then,thefatherhaddisappeared.
Obecamescared.Ifherfatherhadkilledhermother,hecouldslaughterher.Perhapsthatswhatherlifehadbeenabout.
Duringthisperiodoftime,Olivedandstayedalivebydreaming.Oneofthereveriesconcernedthemostevilmanintheworld.
Itwasatafancyresortthatwaslocatedinthecountry,farfromthecity:Ostoodononeofthedisks,asifonagiantrecord,whichjuttedoutofahugecliff.
Shrubberywascomingoutofpartsoftherock.Eachrecordlaydirectlyoverandunderanotherrecord,exceptforthetopandthebottom.TheoneonwhichOwas
perchedthrustfurtherintoaskywhichwasemptytherecordwasastage.
Inthefirstactofthisplay,Olearnedthatevilhadenteredtheland.ThattheFather,whoisequivalenttoevil,isappropriatingorthievingall

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ofhissonspossessionswithsuccess.BoththefatherandthesonwerestandingbehindO.Thefatherbegantoincreaseanddeepenhisevilnessbytorturinghisson.
Heinflictedpainsolelyphysically.Oactuallysawtheoldermanpointatherthreedifferentmachineguns,eachofwhichwasdifferentfromtheothertwo.O
understoodwhatthismanwassayingtoher:hewantedtoscare,ratherthantoshoother.
Thenhelaughed.
Ohatedthemanofevilasmuchasitwaspossibleforhertoabhoranyone.
Eitherthenextdayoranunknownnumberofdayslater,whileOinherclassroomwasdoingwhatevershedid,which,accordingtohercontractwiththeuniversity,
hadtobecalledteaching,butteachingwassomethingwhichshedidntunderstand,shenoticedthatherstudentswerenolongerpayingattentiontowhatevershewas
doingandwerewhisperingtoeachother.Worse,theywerestaringatwhatshedidntknow.
Inthecenterofherclassroom,therewasacatchasingarat.Therat,forO,wasinthecenter,wasalmosttouchingher.Thentherodentleapedstraightup:itwas
closertoher.Ocouldntunderstandwhyshewasntterrified.Whywasntshejumpingupontheseatofawoodchairandliftingthefrontofherskirtupoverher
cunt?Artaudwrote:wemustgetridofMindaswemustgetridofallliterature.Butinsteadofdoingthatwhichshewassupposedtodo,perhapsbecauseshe
identifiedwithcats,shekickedthiswhiteratintheshins.Ofcourse,itwasbyaccident.Asshewaskickinghard,shesawthattheanimalwasasmallerversionofthe
hugestuffedwhitecatwithwhomsheslepteverynight.
Oneededtobeheldbyhercatinordertofallasleep.
Artaudcontinued:IsaythatMindandlifeinterconnectatalllevels.IwouldliketomakeaBooktodisturbpeople,likeanopendoorleadingthemtowheretheyhave
nevergone.Simplyadoorcommunicatingwithreality.
Osawthatthecatorratwasntgoingtodie.
Thenherrealsearchbegan.Shehadtofindthetorturersothatshecouldgetridofalltheevilthatwasintheworld.HissonandOhadbecomepartnersand
mercenaries:itwashewhotaughtOthatshewouldbeabletosearchonlyifshegotridofherfearofevil.
ForsomereasonunknowntoO,shewasfrightenedofeveryoneandeverything.
Thefatherofevilhadleftthemacluetohiswhereabouts:D.N.
NobodyseemedtoknowwhetherD.N.weretheinitialsofsomeoneorsomethingorwhethertheletterswerepartofalanguagenonapprehendablebyreason.Oand
thesonthoughtthatD.N.wasthenameofacoffeejoint...

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.......................................................................................Theycametoadesertedwesternstreet.The
coffeejointfoundinthislonelinessnamedastreet,withinallthisyellow,wasntnamedD.N.oranything...
.......................................................................................Theycametoaranch.Themainbuilding,atfirst
notnoticedornoticeable,wasawhiteonestory,peelingpaint.Toitsright,inoneofitssides,acafinthewall.
Agirlfedherdoghorse,largeasalargehorse,aplateofrawhamburger.Shehadoncebeenmarriedtothemanofevilsson.Now,separatedfromhimandlivingon
theranch,shewashappy.
ThiscluewhichwastrueinformedOandthepartnerthatthemanofevilwaspresent.
Hewalkeduptoher.Inallthatopenness.Therewasnoonebutthosetwo.ThenOrealizedthatallthathadhappenedtoher,thenarrative,hadhappenedbecause
andonlybecauseshewasattractedtothisman.Theevilfather.Shehatedhimbecausehewasirredeemablyviolent.
Obegantoteachhimthathecouldtransformhisviolenceintomutualpleasurethroughsex.
ItwasatthispointthatOdecidedthatshewantedtogowhereshehadneverbeenbefore...
Ospeaks:
TherevolutionhadyettobegininChina.Thewordrevolutionnolongermeantanythingtousbecausethesamegovernmentsnowownedeverything.Therewas
nowherelefttogo.Whereverwewereliving,allofmyfriends,includingme,weredyingbeforewereachedoldageand,beforethat,livinginwaysthatcrossedsocial
andotherlimitsbecauseotherwiselivingwasunbearable.
Inolongerhadinterestinpolitics.
IhadcometoChinaasIusuallycame:Iwasfollowingaguy.
Ibelievedthatwewereinlove.
Itdidntmatterthenameofthisunknowncity.Allunknowncities,inChina,holdslumswhichlookexactlylikeeachother:eachonealabyrinthoranactualdreamin
whichstreetswindintostreetswhicharewindingintomorestreetsandeverystreetgoesnowhere.Perhaps,becauseallthesignshavedisappeared.
Thepooreatwhatevertheycanget.
Rightbeforetherevolution,theChinesegovernmenttolditspeoplethattherecessionwasoverthepoorcouldnolongerdistinguishbetween

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economicviabilityanddisability.Someofthemwalkedaroundwithneedlesstickingoutoftheirbodies.
Mostofthefemaleshadwhoredformoney.
InChina,myboyfriend,W,toldmethatifIlovedhim,Iwouldwhoreforhim.IthinkthatalsoWgetsoffonwomenwhoarewhores.Idontknowwhetherornothe
haddeepfeelingsformeandwhatthosefeelingswere.Iwonder,againandagain,whyIrunaftermenwhodonthaveanyfeelingsformeandwhyI,forthisreason,
donthaveaboyfriend.
Itismymother,ratherthanmyfatherwhomIhaveneverknown,whodominatesmyrationallife.Whenshewasalive,mymotherdidntnoticeand,whenshenoticed,
hatedme.Shewantedmetobenothingorsomethingworsebecausemyappearanceinherwomb,notyetintheworld,hadcausedherhusbandtoleave.Whatmy
motherwhowasravishinglybeautiful,charming,andaliartoldme.Whileshewasalive.
Absenceisntthenameonlyofmyfather.EverywhorehouseischildhoodtheoneintowhichWplacedmewasahounfornamedAnge.
Intheoutsideworld,whichistheoneoutsideawhorehouse,menfearwomenwhoarebeautifulandrunawayfromthem:aravishingwomanwhoswithamanhas
anotherkindofdeepwoundsomewhereelse.Mymotherwasweakinthiswayandherweaknessisnowmyfate.
Whereasinsidethebrothel,thefemales,whoevertheyphysicallyare,mustalwaysappearbeautifultomentheyhavebeenimprisonedinordertofulfillmens
fantasies.Inthiswaywhatwasknownasthemaleregimeseparateditsfantasticallifefromitsrationalexistence.
SinceIwasthefirstwhitegirlwhohadeverenteredthishounfor,theothers,includingthemadamwhohadoncebeenamale,hatedme.Theysneeredatmy
characteristics,suchasmypolitenesswhattheyreallydetestedwasthatnecessity,economicnecessity,wasntdrivingmeintoprostitution.Tothem,thewordlove
meantnothing.ButIwasntbecomingawhorebecauseIwoulddoanthingforW,anythingtoconvincehimtoloveme,aloveIwasbeginningtoknowIwouldnever
receive.IhadenteredthebrothelwillinglysothatIcouldbecomenothingbecause,onlythen,couldIbegintosee.
IhadhadnoideawhatIwasdoing.
Ienteredthebrothelandthemadamtookawayallofmypossessions,evenmytinyblackreadingglasses.Itwasasifshewasaprisonmatron.Shesaidthatbecause
Iwaswhite,IthoughtthatIdeservedthingssuchastobehappy,thatIdeservedtopossesscommodities.Suchashappiness.ThatIwastoopale,delicatetobeable
tobearlivinginthisplace.
ThegirlsthoughtthatIcouldleavethecathousewheneverIwanted.ButIcouldntwalkawaybecauseinsidethewhorehouseIwasntanybody.

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Therewasnobodytowalkaway.Iwasnowachild:ifIridmyselfofchildhood,therewouldbenothingleftofme.
Artaudunderstoodthis.
Lateron,thegirlsacceptedmeasawhore.Astheywere.ThenIstartedtowishthatIwouldloveamanwholovedme.
Intheirsparehours,thewhoresvisitedfortunetellers.Thereweremanyprescientsintheslum.ThoughIsoonstartedaccompanyingmycoworkers,Iwasscaredto
sayanythingtothesewomenwhohadoncebeeninthebusiness.Iwouldstandinthoseshadowsandrarelyaskanything:forIdidntwanttotellanythingabout
myself.WhenIdidinquireaboutafuture,Iaskedasiftherewerenosuchthing.Ionlyfeltsafeaskingaboutthedetailsofdailylife,johns,anddefecation,allthatwas
adream.
Asifdreamsarentreal.
Fortunetellerswanderedaroundthestreetsrightoutsidethehounfor.
Thefortune,mine,whichIrememberwasbasedonthecardoftheHangedMan:
Thewomanwhowasreadingthecardsstilltooktricks.
DoesthatmeanthatImgoingtosuicide?
Oh,no,O.Thiscardsaysthatyoureadeadpersonwhosstillalive.Youreazombie.
Iknewbetter.TheHangedManorGerarddeNervalismyfatherandeverymanIfuckishim.LikeIsaid,fortuneisdeadwheneverallthemenarehung.
Myfatheristheownerofthecathouse.Hessittinginhisrealmofabsenceandhesurveysallthatisnot.
ThecardsclearlyshowmethatIhatehim.Whenamessagetravelsfromtheinvisibletothevisible,themessengerisanemotion.Myanger,thismessenger,willleadto
revolution.Revolutionsarealwaysdangerous.
Thecardssaidworse.Theytoldus,whores,thattherevolutionwhichisjustabouttohappen,duetoitsownnatureororigin,mustfail.Whenitfails,whensovereignty
beitreigningorrevolutionaryhasfinallydisappeared,whensovereigntyeatsitsownheadasifitsasnake,whenthestreetsareagaindustanddecaybutadifferent
dustanddecay,allmydreams,whichareme,willbeshattered.
Itsthen,theslutfortunetellersaid,thatyoullfindyourselfonapirateship.
WhatcardsIremembertoldmemyfutureisfreedom.
WhatllIdowhentheresnooneintheworldwholovesme?Whenallmyexistenceisthisnotoceanorfreedom?
Thecardsproceededtogiveimagesofstress,illness,disease...
Whoresarediseased.Thisiswhynoonelovesthem.Ihadnowbeenin

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thecathouseforamonth.Whadntoncevisitedmehehadnevercaredaboutme.IwasawhorebecauseIwasalone.
Threehelpersweregoingtoshowmehowtobecomefree.Theywereacockwhowasthelargestofallcocks,thejourneyintothelandofthedead,andYemaya.
IwastryingtogetridoflonelinessandnothingwilleverridmeoflonelinessuntilIsuicide.
Artaudspeaks:
Osaid,IwanttogowhereIhaveneverbeenbefore.
Iwaslivinginaroomthatwasintheslum.Iwasstillsane.
Iwasjustaboy.AllIsawwasthepovertyofthoseslums.Inordertocounteractthepovertythatwaswithout,andwithinme,Irantopoetry.Especiallytothepoetry
ofGerarddeNervalwhowantedtostophisownsuffering,totransformhimself,butinsteadhangedhimselffromarustypicturenail.
Ihadnolife.Ionlylovedthesepoetswhowerecriminals.IbegantowriteletterstopeoplewhomIdidntknow,tothosepoets,notinordertocommunicatewith
them.Todosomethingelse.Iwantedtohangmyself.
DearGeorges,Iwrote.
Ihavejustread,inFontanemagazine,twoarticlesbyyouonGerarddeNerval,whichmadeastrangeimpressiononme.
Iamalimitlessseriesofnaturaldisastersandallofthesedisastershavebeenunnaturallyrepressed.Forthisreason,IamkintoGerarddeNervalwhohangedhimself
inastreetalleyduringthehoursofanight.
Suicideisonlyaprotestagainstcontrol.
Artaud.
Thealleywayswerelyingallaroundme.Theyraneverywhichwaysohaphazardlythattheystopped.Herelaythehounfor.
Iwouldwatchmanaftermanwalkthroughthedoors.Menwenttothebrothel,notinordertohavethesexualintercoursetheycouldhaveontheoutside,buttoenact
elaborateandtorturousfantasieswhich,oneday,Illbeabletodescribetoyou.
Illbeablewhenthereispleasureinthisworld.AtthattimeIdidnothavealovernordidIknowwhatitwastobeabody.
DayafterdayIwouldlookthroughoneofmywindowsintooneoftheirs.ItwastherethatIfirstsawOwhowasnaked.Myeyewouldfollowher,asmuchasit
could,sothatitcouldclearawayallthatwasbeforeandbehindher.
Iwoulddieforher.Wheneveramanhangshimself,hiscockbecomessoimmensethatforthefirsttimeheknowsthathehasacock.
Oneday,Oemergedfromthebrothel.Isawherstandontheedgeof

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thedoorwayandlookawayfromthebrothel.Obviouslyshewasterrified.Finally,oneofherfeetpeepedoverthedoorframesbottom.Ihadnoideawhatwas
mirroredinthoseeyes.Herfeetmovedthreetimesbackandforthacrossthedoorstep.
Assoonasshewasfullyoutside,shebegantoturninthesamewaysthatwindsmovethroughtheairs.Perhapsshewasmeetingthisoutsideandtheairforthefirst
time.Perhaps,inthestaleairofthebrothel,OwasasheandnowOwasanothershewhowasindistinctfromair.Iwatchedherbegintobreathe.Itwasinthis
waythatO,alien,encounteredpoverty,thestreetswhichmybodyweredailytouching.Thestreetswhoseinhabitantsatewhatevertheycouldandthen,whenthey
couldnolongereat,committedsuicide.
ThestreetsremindedOofherchildhood.Whenshehadbeenachild,shehadalwaysbeenalone.Eventhoughshedhadahalfsisterwhowasnowmarriedtoa
Europeanarmamentsmillionaire.Everysummer,Osmother,sothatshewouldneverhavetoseeheroldestdaughter,senthertoaposhsummercamp.Thecamp
wascomposedonlyofgirls.
Whilethegirlspassedthroughthelatestdancesineachothersarmsinthehourbeforetheywereorderedintodinner,Ostoodonthesidelinesandwatched.Allshe
knewwasthatshecouldntdancebecauseshewasntlikealltheothers.Inthewhorehouse,perhapsforthefirsttimeinherlife,Ohadbecomesafebecausethere
werenohumans.Notthemenwhovisitedher.
Inthehounfor,shewasnaked.
NowthatOknewsafety,shehadthepowertoreturntoherchildhood.Tothepovertythatwasmine.IwatchedOwalkdownstreetafterstreet,searchingfora
body.IknewthatwhenOhadabody,shewouldbelongtome.
Ospeaks:
JustafterthefirsttimeWandIslepttogether,Iknewthathedidntloveme.Ididntknowwhy.ThisareaofnotknowingornausealeftmeshredsofbelieftowhichI
couldclingandIclung,beliefthatinthefutureWmightstarttoloveme.Likeachildwhocannotbelievethathermotherdoesntcareabouther.
Iremainedinthatbrothel.OnedayWreturnedandtoldmethatnowhewantedmetomeetthewomanwhomheadoredevenmorethanhisownlife.Inordertodo
thishewasgoingtotakemeoutofthebrothelfortheday.
Theyhadbeentogethermanyyears,beforeheevermetme.Heinformedme.Thatthenshelefthim.Ithadbeenhisfault:hewasntagood

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humanbeing.Thatshereturnedtohim,inChina,andnowhewantedtobeasgoodtoherasitwaspossibleforanyhumantobe.
Thoughshehadcomebacktohim,shewasstillunsurewhethershewantedtobewithhim,andthatmadehimlovehermore.
IdidntknowwhereIexistedinW,thereforewhyhewastellingmeabouttheonewomanwhomheworshipped.
MaybeIcouldclingtothisnausea.Maybenauseaissomething.Hisfatbody.Ifollowedhimintothestreetsoutsidethebrothel.IntothosestreetswhichIhadstarted
toexplorebymyself.Abirdflewthroughthesky.
Hisgirlfriendwaswhitelikeme.Shewasbeautifulandrich.AssoonasImether,IknewthatIdidntexistforherinthesamewaythatIdidntexistforW,thatshe
didntknowhowtolove.Shewasoneoftheowners.Shewasbeautifulandrich.Shehadanidentity.
IcouldloveWwhichshenevercould,butdidhewantthat?DidherealizeallthatIwouldbeabletogivehim?
Afterthehighclassdinner,hetookhisgirlfriendandmebacktothebrothelandhetiedmetomybed.Needlesinsertedintothefleshjustbelowthelowerlasheskept
theeyesopen.Infrontofme,Wmadelovetothisrichbitchfirstwithhisfingers.Delicatelyplayingwithherthickouterlabia.Slowlytheyturnedfrompalepinkto
almostbloodred.Andopenedtomyeyesasthefingerswentup.Someofhisfingerswereinhermouth.Hewasbendingheroverandthenheturnedaround,hercunt
juicedrippingsomuchthatIcouldseeitfromhistips,andputhislongcockwhichIcanstillknowinmymindintothatcuntthatmusthavebeenopen,wanting,
screamingforpleasure,whethershelovedhimornot,shewasbeingfuckedinsertedthrustintopummelledbruisedandallthatcomesoutispleasure,thebodyis
pleasure,Ihaveknownpleasure,andIamwatchingtheendlesspleasure,asitcomesagainagainagain,thatIhaveknownandnowIambeingrefused.
She,rich,canneverknowwhatmynausea,mylackis:whatmypleasureisandsoIamchanging.
ThroughoutallofthedinnerandthesexIwasforcedbymyselftowatch,Iwaswearingthedeepredlipstickwhichcolormymotherwore.Mymotherhadalways
walkedaroundthehousenaked,touchingherownwhitebodytheresheworehermenstrualbloodonhermouth.Therearenomen:myfatherhadleftherbeforeI
wasborn.
SinceIhaveneverknownyou,everymanIfuckisyou.Father.EverycockgoesintomycuntwhichisnowarivernamedCocytus.IhavesaidthatIwillnowonlytell
thetruth:Whenyou,CockofallCocks,youtheonlylayintheworld,andIamtheonewholivesifnotdiesforsex,whenyoutookaleaveofabsenceskippedout
ejaculateddisappearedandvan

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ishedbeforeIwasborn,youthrewme,andIhadntyetbeenborn,intoevenanotherworld.
ThenameoftheworldwasChina.
WhocanunderstandChinasteemingpopulaces,itschildren,itsmarching,studentsoldiers?
Artaudspeaks(therewritingofhisfirstletter):
Iamaviolentbeing,fulloffierystormsandothercatastrophicphenomena.AsyetIcantdomorethanbeginthisandbeginagainandagainbecauseIhavetoeat
myself,asifmyownbodyisfood,inordertowrite.Idontwanttowrite(talktheonlywayIknowhow)aboutmyself.IwanttodiscussGerarddeNerval.Hemade
living:alivingworld:hemadealivingworldoutofmythandmagic.TherealmofmythandmagicthathecontactedwasthatofaFuneral.Hisowndeathandfuneral.
Illtalkaboutdeath,mydeath,later.
TheTarotcardintherealmofNervalisTheHangedMan.HeideggerturnedawayfromHitler,reversedhimself,andatthesametimeexplainedthatthevery
possibilityoftakingactionorthewilltoruleanddominatewasakindoforiginalsin,ofwhichhefoundhimselfguiltywhenhetriedtocometotermswithhis...
pastintheNazimovement.Heideggerbeganatthattimetoemphasize,insteadofDasein,Sein,oranessentiallyreverentcontemplativenessthatmightkeepopenthe
possibilityofanewpaganisminwhichnosovereigntycouldarise,nosovereigntyoutoftheashesofHitlersabortedrevolution.
SuchcontemplativenessisthehangedmanintherealmofNerval.Suchcontemplativenessisahumanwhosintheactofdoingnothingoronlyturninginsideout,
reversing,travellingtheroadintotherealmofthedeadfromwhichhesreturningalive.Inotherwords,TheHangedMancardrepresentstheslightpossibilitythatthis
intolerablesociety(inwhichidentitydependsonpossessingratherthanonbeingpossessed),thissocietyinwhichImliving,couldchange.
GerarddeNervalwasasailorwhodescendedintooblivionand,ashedid,wroteagainstoblivion.HehatedhisowncockandsodescendedintotheCocytus,into
oblivion,threetimesuntilhiscockfloatedbloodyonitswaters.Orhehangedhimself.
(Ospeaks:Ispentdayafterdaywalkingthestreets.LookingforWwhomIknewIwouldneveragainfind.)
IamGerarddeNervalwhohangedhimself12:00p.m.onaThursdaybyhisownhandstheotheronediedinParisorheannouncedthatthisdeath

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wouldhappen,heannouncedthathehaddiedfromlonelinesscomingfromsocialrejection.
I,GerarddeNerval,whowroteintheteethoftheutilitarianconceptoftheuniverse,hangedmyselffromanapronstringtiedtoagrating.Therewasnothingleft.
NowI,GerarddeNerval,wanttotalkaboutthedistancebetweenhangingandTheHangedMan.IlivedinanunbearablesocietyandImurderedmyself.Thena
sailor,Ijourneyedtothelandsbetweendailylifeandmeaning(symbol).IAMMADANDSONOLONGERWILLMAKESENSE.Ihangedmyselfinorderto
screammoreloudlyIknowthatiswhysuicidehappensandIdiedandmyscreamgrewandcastratedmesothatthissufferingturnedintoeverlastingsuffering.The
nameofeverlastingsufferingiscontemplation.
InthiswayIturnedmyselfinsideout:
Onlytheheadcancuttheheadoff.Forinstance,deSadesvalet,Latour,flagellateddeSadewhohateddeSade.DeSaderanawayfromhisownclass.ButI
AntoninArtaudGerarddeNervalamnotrunningaway:IamwelcomingallthepainIcangetbecausepainisthebody.
I,AntoninArtaud,havehangedmyselfandIhaventdied.
ImlivinginasluminChinaandImenteringintosexuality.Imnowaholesoalltheliquidscangushthroughme.Iamsexuality.Beingamanoranabyssofaman,
Improtectingmymotherinthefullknowledgethatshehatesmyguts.MymothersabetrayerbecausesheisbeginningtoknowthatshesGod:shesperceivingher
cuntandovariesandallofherotherholestobethelabyrinthandsacred.Mymotherismyholiness.
AndIhaveadoptedtheembracesofSatan.
Antonin
Ospeaks:
WithoutW,Inolongerwanttobeawhore.
Artaudspeaks:
IenteredthevoodoohousesothatIcouldmeetO.Itwasntjustahouse.Itstrees,smallillnessrooms,altars,andaccompanyingchamberscalledghuevoswere
dedicatedtotheappearanceofspiritsinhumanbodies,tothespiritspossessionsofhumanbodies.
Thoughtheinsideswerecomplicated,staircasesappearingoutofnowhereandleadingtofloorsnotbeforeseen,roomsuponroomsallinajumble,somehowIknew
exactlywhereOsbedroomwouldbe.Whitedoves,pigeons,chickens,preciselyanddelicatelymarkedguineahens

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walkedandflewoutofthesewindows.Almostalloftheinsidewallswerebrilliantlywhitewashedexceptwhereacertainspiritwasbeinghonored.Ontheground
floor,themadamstoppedmetoaskwhereIwasgoing:IsaidthatIwasgoingtoserveO.
ShetoldmethatIhadtogivemoneysoIcouldbewithO.BecauseIdonthaveanymoney,Iwasthrownoutofthewhorehouse.
Ifoundmyselfinamarketplacewhereeverythingisbeingsoldforeverythingelse.Theresomeofthepoordidnthaveanylimbs.Otherswoulddoanythingsexually
foranyone.Thechildrenoftensaidthat,everyharvest,athirdofthemweregoingtodieifthegrowthwasntbountiful.IdecidedthatIhadtostopthehellinwhichI
wasliving.
IknewthattheyhadthrownmeoutofthewhorehousebecauseIdidntwanttogiveOmoney,Iwantedhertoloveme.
Thedenialofmysexualityplantedinmetheseedsofrebellion.Theremustbeotherwomenandmenlikemeinthatslum.Oneswhowoulddowhateverhadtobe
doneinordertochangeeverything.
Ilookedforthemintheholes,intheshadowsthathadeatenthemselvesup.
Itwasatthistimethattherevolutionaries,bothmaleandfemale,metinwhatlightcamefromthequartermoon.
Therevolutionaries,whoweremainlyyoung,talked.Theircitywasadumpandgrowing.Theonlyansweristhatwegetourhandsonweapons.
Werepoor.
Awhitemanjustgaveussomemoney,probablyinordertosavehisownneck.
ThoughIhadnointerestinweapons,Iagreedtoundertakethemachinegundelivery,dangerousatleast,inreturnfortheexactamountofcashIneededtobuyOso
thatIcouldgiveherherfreedomfromthebrothel.
IcutoffmycockandbloodoutofaheartIhadneverknownstartedtoflow.
Ospeaks:
Howlongwillthisreignofmasochismcontinue?
Artaudspeaks(thelettercontinued,addresseddirectlytoO):
Everywherehewent,deNervalwouldtakewithhimascummyapronstringwhichhadoncebelongedtotheQueenofSheba.DeNervaltoldme.Oritwasoneof
thecorsetstringsofMadamedeMaintenon.OrofMargueritedeValois.
Fromthisapronstringwhichwastiedtoagrating,hehangedhimself.

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Thegrating,blackfetidstainedwithhoundexcretionandpartlybroken,waslocatedatthebottomofthestonestairswhichleadtotheruedelaTuerie.Theresa
straightdropfromthatstairplatformdownward.
AsdeNervalswangthere,aravenhoveredover,asifitweresittingonhishead,andcawedrepeatedly,Imthirsty.
Imthirstyareprobablytheonlywordsthattheoldbirdknows.
I,AntoninArtaud,thoughslum,amanowner:Iowntheobjectsandthelanguageofsuicide.
WhydidGerarddeNervalhanghimselffromanapronstring?WhyisthissocietywhichisChinainsane?
TolearnwhyGerardmadlyoffedhimself,Iwillenterhissoul.
Gerardwasamanlikeme.Womenthinkthatbothofusaregoodlooking.
Nervalwrotethis:
...ledernier,vaincupar(Jehovah)
Qui,dufonddesenfers,criait:Otyrannie!
GerardwasledernierbecausehewasjustabouttosuicidehewastalkingtoGodthetyrantwhoseveryexistencewasputtingGerardinhell.So,Gerardsuicided
becauseoftheexistenceofGodGerardopposedthetyrantGodbycuttingoffhisownhead.Godisthehead,legenie.Hecutoffhisownheadwithawomans
apronstringsothathenowhasaholebetweenhisarmssonowheisawomanandcannolongertoleratethephallusheadorder.Thisholeistheholeofnothingness.
ThesoulofGerarddeNervalhastaughtmethatnothingnessistheabyssofhorroroutofwhichconsciousnessalwaysawakesinordertogooutintosomethingto
exist.
Theholeofthebody,whicheverymanbutnotwomanincludingGerarddeNervalandmyselfhastomake,istheabyssofthemouth.
IhavefoundmylanguagewhichiswhyIcanwritethislettertoyou.O.Yourenaked.Gerardgavemealanguagethatdoesntlie,thatlanguagethatisspurtingoutof
theholeofmybody.
YourenakedsoIknowyouvegotabody.
WhenGerardcutoffhiscock,hemadeallthatwasinteriorinhimexterior:allthatisinteriorsbecomingexteriorandthisiswhatIcallarevolutionandthosewhoare
holesaretheleadersoftherevolution.
IhavegottentoknowGerarddeNervalandhewasarevolutionarybothbeforeandafterhehangedhimselffromanapronstring.Hehangedhimselffromawomans
stringinordertoprotestagainstsocialcontrolbecauseallsuicideisaprotestagainstcontrol.Irepeatthat.Afterhecastratedhimself,languagelikescreamscame
pouringthroughhim.
IamGerarddeNervalafterhecastratedhimselfbecauseconsciousnessintheformoflanguageisnowpouringoutthroughmeandhurtingmeandImenteringinto
sexuality.Iwanttoownyou,O.

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Theresonlygloomornothingnessaroundwhatsrisingoutofmeoutofthenothingnessthegloomiseverywhere,thestreetsmadeupofpoverty,shadowsof
revolutionaries.I,AntoninArtaud,haveputdownthelanguagethatspoutedout,IvewrittentoO,butthislanguageisntme.
Ospeaks:
Ihaveafantasy,asexualdesire,whichisntadream.Firstofall,therehastobeaman.Then,therehastobesexbetweenmeandtheman.Thesearemy
prerequisitesfordesire.
First,themanrejectsmysex.Withrejection,absence,desireawakes.LustneedmemoryordesiretormentmybodysobadlythatIbecomesickandamontheedge
ofdeath.
Justwhenalmostallislost(theworld),thismanreturnstome.Takingmeinhisarms,herestoresmylife.
ForthefirsttimeIknewthatWwouldneverloveme.Iwasstilllivinginthewhorehouse.Thedinnerwithhimandhisrichgirlfriendwasover.Wwouldnevercome
backtome,wraphisarmsaroundme,andtakemeoutofthebrothel.
Knowledgethathewouldneverlovemewasrecognitionthatheneverhad.
SinceIwasnolongersafeinthebrothel,inthisrealmoffantasy,Ibecameverysick.Ihoveredatdeath.
Itwasatthistimethatthestudentrevolutionaries,armedmoreprofessionallythananyofthecopsaroundthem,burstintotheEnglishembassywhichwaslocatedin
thesectionnexttotheslums.Payinginviolentinjuryanddeath,theysuccessfullyannihilatedthegovernmentbuilding.Whenmyhealthreturned,IlearnedthatWpartly
ownedthecathouse.Ihadknownthathewasrich.Ididntcarewhathehadfeltorwouldfeelaboutme:allIwantedwasforhimtobeabsentfromme.
IwantedWtoremainabsentfromme:Iwantednothingtochange.
IlearnedthatithadbeenWwhohadfirstgiventheterroriststhemoneytobuytheweapons.Perhapshehadntknowwhy.Perhapstherewasaneedinhimto
disruptandtodestroy.IdidntknowWandIdont.WhentherevolutionaryraidontheEnglishhadsucceeded,red,probablyhehadbecomefrightened.Forthe
firsttimeinhislife,hehadrealizedthattoberichandwhiteistobevulnerable.Heunderstoodthathewasvulnerable.Sowhentherevolutionarieshadreturnedto
himandaskedformorefunds,hehadrefused.
Theybegantobeathimup.Theyalmostkilledhim.
AssoonasIlearnedthatthishadhappened,IstoppedhatingWfornotreturningmylove.

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IntheskirmishpriortotheexplosionoftheEnglishembassy,theyoungboywhohadrungunstotherevolutionarieshadoneofhisarmsseverelyinjured.
Withtheotherhandholdingthemoneythathehadearnedbyworkingfortheterrorists,heenteredthebrothel.Hefoundthemadamandgavehertheamountshehad
requestedasthepriceofmypurchase.
Iknewnothingaboutthepurchaseofmyfreedom.
thedegenerationofallmywork
Behindmybedroomdoor,Artaudsaidthathehadcomebacktome.
Ireplied,Imstillsick:Idontwanttoseeanyone.
Imwritingthewayonedreams.
ThenheforcedhimselfintomyroomsoIhithim.Hefelldowntotheflooronthearmthathadbeenbroken.Whenhecriedout,Iwassurprised.
Yourejustaboysohowcouldyoubehurtingsobadly?
Hetoldmethathehadbrokenhisarminordertogetthemoneytobeabletobuyme.
Hisarmwasbentthewrongwayforahuman.
Iunderstoodthatsomeonecouldhurtmorethanme.Ireacheddownandlifteduphisbody,ontomythigh,asmuchasIwasable.Ionlywantedtofuckhim.Atthat
point,painwasthesameforhimassexualpleasure.Forme,everyareaofmyskinwasanorificeandeachpartofhisbodytransformingintoaninstrumentcoulddo
anddideverythingtome.
Wewonderedatourbodies.
Artaudwroteinanotherletter:
IenteredintosexualityandthreetimesIbecameaholethroughwhichliquidsrushed,thenpoured.ThreetimesIwasplungedintothewatersofoblivion.
Afterwards,whenIsawO,Iwantedtoprotectherbecausesheworshipshercunt.
Ospeaks:
IneversawArtaudagain.
Weakenednotonlybythebeatingbutthenbythedesertionofhisrichgirlfriend,Wmusthavebeguntogomad.
HelearnedthattheyoungboyandIhadfalleninlove.HebegantofollowArtaud,throughtheslumsstreetswhichnowreekedofmoreandmorerevolutionaries,into
alleywayswhichwereblind.Inoneofthem,heshottheyoungpoetandlefthimfordead.

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Thereweretoomanydeadbodies,inthosedays,fortheretobesuchathingasmurder.
WhenIheardthis,InolongercaredwhathappenedtoW.Idepartedfromthewhorehouse.Forme,therewerenomoremenleftintheworld.
Ihadbeensearchingformyfather,inadream,andfoundayoungandinsaneboywhowasthenkilled.
NowIstoodontheedgeofanewworld.

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FOUR
ClassandItsCloseRelations:
IdentitiesamongWomen,
Servants,andMachines
AlexandraChasin
Yousee,wehumanshavespentcenturiestryingtoinventwaystomakeallwehavetodogobyeasier.Itprobablystartedwiththewheel.Andfire.Laterthereweretools.And
servants,ofcourse.Thencomputers.
Tomashoff

Theauthorofthisquotemakesanimplicitdistinctionbetweenwehumansandthethingswehaveinventedthingsthathavehistoricallymade,orwillsomeday
make,ourliveseasier.Welive,wehaveahardtime,weinventthings.Butwhataboutthem,thetools?Whatfollowsfromtheimplicationthatthereissomeclassof
thingthatcouldrelievethoseofuswhoarehumanbycontrasttothoseobjects,wesubjectsofallwehavetodo?Whatfollowsfromthehistoryand
pervasivenessofthebeliefthatsomekindofthingwillliberateusfromtheperpetualactivityoflabor,thatactivitythroughwhichwehavetraditionallyidentified
ourselves?Isitthepurposethebeingordoingofthosematerialsthatareactedupontoenableustoceaselaboring?Andwhataboutthepersistentassumption
thatthereisaclearandstableontologicaldifferencebetweenusandthem?
Theservantinthelistaboveistroubling.Thatservanttroublesthedistinctionbetweenwehumansubjectsinventorswithalottodo(ontheonehand)andthem
objectthingsthatmakeiteasierforus(ontheother).Istheservantoneofusoroneofthem,humanorthing,subjectorobject?Or,doestheservanthavethekindof
bodythatpointspast,orambivalatesbetween,thepolesofthisbinaryscheme?Andwhataboutthelastelementintheseriesabove,theidentitythatpointspastthe
pointingpastoftheservant,andaddsambiguitytohis/her/itsambivalence?

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Whataboutthecomputer?Ifthesubjectobjectoppositionhasalwaysbeenaninadequatemodelforunderstandingsocialidentitiesandrelations,therehavealways
beenbodiesthatexposeditsinadequacy.IntheU.S.today,computersspecificallyintheirtendencytoengageinwork,andintheirimaginedcapacitytoreplace
humanworkersarethelatestsortofbodytogivethelietotheoldbinary.Becauseidentitiesderivefromdoing,ratherthanfrombeing,workservesadefinitiverole
inthedistinctionsbetweenhumansandourOthers.Contemporarybodiesthattroublethosedistinctionsdosoin,andthrough,laborallwehavetodo,orlabor,
maybetheactivitiesinandthroughwhichsuchbodiesidentifythemselvesasposthuman.
ThetroubleisthedenaturalizationoftheconceptualbasisfordistinguishingbetweenSubjecthoodandObjecthood.Thesecategoriesare,ofcourse,culturally
constructed,ratherthangivenbyGodornature,butalso,theirconstructionhashistoricallyempoweredtheindividualsandgroupsandkindsthatinhabitthepositionof
thesubject.SubjecthereborrowsthemeaningsgivenitwithinthemodernWesternphilosophicaltraditionthatcomprehendsDescartesandAlthusser.Object
referstothethingsthathavebeendesignated,withinthesametradition,asstaticandstationary,passiveandinert.Canposthumanbodiesdomorethanembodyan
epistemologicalcrisis,morethanpointtotheinternalcontradictionsofthebinaryschemathroughwhichwedisidentifywiththem?Cantheyhelpsuggestanalternative
tothisWesterntraditionalmodel?
Otherfamiliardichotomiesalignwiththeoppositionbetweensubjectandobject:maleandfemale,masculineandfeminine,whiteandnonwhite,richandpoor,normal
anddeviant,mentallaborandmanuallabor,developedandunderdeveloped,strongandweak,activeandpassive.Agreatdealofwork,especiallyrecentfeminist
work,hasgoneintotherejectionand/ordismantlingofsuchdistinctions.Onewayintothisproblematicistoaskhowobjectsarenotpassive,orhowtheyactsocially.
Howdoobjectsparticipateinsocialnegotiations,intheevaluationandconstanttransvaluationofthecategoriessuchasgender,race,class,sexualorientation,and
nationalitythatareimplicatedinhumanidentitiesinthecontemporaryU.S.,andinthepracticesthatproduce,reproduce,anddeconstructthosecategories?In
particular,howdoelectronicmachinesdoso?
MyfirstconsiderationofthedeconstructivepropertiesofelectronicsfollowedfromanexchangewithmyAutomatedTellerMachine.Inoticedyearsago,thatwhen
wehadcompletedourtransaction,andthemachinespatmycardbackout,theterminalscreendisplayedthefollowingmessage:Thankyou,AlexandraChasin,it
wasapleasureservingyou.IwasshockedIwantedtoaskthething,Pleasure?!Whatdoyouknowabout

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pleasure?Myfirstthoughtwasthatthereferencetopleasureconstitutedthemachinesclaimtohavehumanexperience,aclaimthatitalreadyimplicitlymakesby
speakinginnaturallanguage.Butalmostasimmediately,Inoticedthatthemachinesclaimtotakepleasureinservingme,placeditinacertainclassposition,ifnotin
acertaingenderpositionaswell.Toappeartotakepleasureinserving,hasbeen,traditionally,anidealforwomen,justasithasbeenforworkers,especiallyservants,
andoftenforslaves.
TherearetwoimportantpointstomakeabouttheATM.Thefirstisthatthemachine,totheextentthatitrepresentsitselfashuman,couldnothelpbutrepresentitself
asaclassed,gendered,speakerofstandardAmericanEnglish(theofficialnationallanguageoftheU.S.)thisinevitablemarkingofarepresentationofanythinghuman
thenpointstotheimplausibilityofauniversalhumanidentity,thatimaginedidentitythathasunderwrittenliberalhumanism.Inotherwords,theperformanceof
humannessentailstheactivationofsuchidentitymarkersasrace,class,gender,andnationality,atleast.(Thisentailment,inturn,suggeststhatsuchfeaturesforma
weakfoundationforidentity.)Thesecondpointisthatthemachine,inmakingitsclaimtopleasureinserving,effacesthealienationthatsooftenattendslabor,justas
initsveryoperationiteffacestherealhumanlaborthatwentintoitsperformanceofservicefrombankpersonneltosoftwareprogrammerstothethirdworld
workerswhosooftenmakethechips(OConnor,249).
Indisablingthemythofauniversalhumanidentity,electronicsconfoundtheboundarybetweenhumanandmachines.Therefore,theelectronicsalsocontributetothe
negotiationandrenegotiationofyetanotherbinarythatalignswiththesubject/objectbinarythatistheoppositionbetweenhumanandnonhuman,ormore
specifically,humanandmachine.Electronicsparticipateinthosenegotiationspartlybyexceedingthedefinitionalnormsofbothcategoriessuchexcessestheneffect
changesintheconstructionofthecategoriesthemselves.
Electronicmachinesemphaticallydenythedistinctionbetweenmaterialityanddiscourse,iffornootherreasonthanthatthematerialityofelectronicmachinesisso
elusiveelectronicdevicesseemtobenothingbutrepresentations.Itsasthoughtheresnotherethere.Toidentifythemetalandplasticboxes,inwhichlogicboards
aresooftenhoused,asthethingsinquestionmissesthepoint,eventhoughthemostcommonpracticalinteractionswithelectronicdevicesconsistinhuman
manipulationsofplasticandmetal.Ontheotherhand,toidentifyanelectronasmaterialissomewhatunsatisfyingsinceitisaverysmallparticle,rarelyatrest,and
characterizedmainlybyitsnegativeelectricalcharge.Moreover,whenusingelectronicdevices,mostpeoplehavenodirectexperienceof

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theelectronsthatmakethedevicesworkthewaytheydothatis,theydontfeelliketheyremanipulatingelectrons.Thedistancebetweenpeopleandelectronsin
suchaninteractionismediatedbyaseriesofsymbolicrepresentationscodesandlanguages.Throughthebinarycode,anditstranslationintonaturallanguage,
electronicmachinesrepresentthemselves.Theymay,infact,belittleotherthanrepresentationsofthemselvesnevertheless,thefactthatthemetalandplasticboxes
takeupspacenominateselectronicdevicesasobjects.Ifallobjectscontributetonegotiationsofsocialrelations,eachonedoessoquitedifferentlyitfollows,then,
thattherewillbeveryparticularwaysinwhichtheelectronicsparticipateinthenegotiationofgender,race,nationality,andclass.Electronicsalso,andperhaps
uniquely,contributetotherenegotiationoftheboundarybetweenhumansandmachinesatthesametimeas,ifnotthrough,areorganizationofkindsoflaborthatis,
shiftsinidentitycorrelatewithshiftsinthecharacterofcertainkindsoflabor.(Iwillreturntothispoint.)
Iftheidentitiesofhumansandmachinesdonotderivefromessentialfeatures,fromwhatcantheyderive?Morespecifically,ifhumansandmachinesbothappearas
endowedwithidentitymarkingsthatderivefromtheiractivitiesandinterestsandthatreinscribetheaxiomaticdivisionsofWesterntraditionalhierarchicalbinarisms
(i.e.,thosethatalignwithsubjectandobject),thenhumansandmachinesseemtosharetheculturalconditionofexhibitingculturallycontingentidentities.What,then,if
anything,distinguisheshumansfrommachines?
Thetraditionalanswerstothisquestioninvolveidentifyingcharacteristicsthatdistinguishhumansfromallnonhumans,includinganimalsthosecharacteristicsare:
thinking,talking,feeling,andotherwiseperceiving,intentionality,andthecapacityfortoolmaking.1 Basedon,andreinforcing,anevolutionarymodel,argumentsfor
thedistinctivetraitsofahumanspeciesmay,inonesense,placeusonacontinuumwithanimals,butinanothersense,theyfixourdifferencefrom,andsuperiority
over,animals.Thesameambivalencedividesattitudesaboutthedifferencebetweenpeopleandmachines.Forexample,BruceMazlishassertsthatmanandthe
machineshecreatesarecontinuous,andproposesthatweabolishtheideaofdiscontinuitybetweenmanandmachine(3).2 Itcouldbesaidthatproponentsof
artificialintelligencedependonMazlishspremise.Ontheotherhand,theliteratureonelectronicsaboundswithhumanisticinsistencesthatpeopleandmachinesbelong
fundamentallyandunalterablytodistinctontologicalcategories.Forexample,inanargumentagainstanthropomorphisminthedesignofuserinterfacesystems(thatis,
whatcomputerssaytotheirusers),Dr.BenShneidermanwritesthatitisimportantforchildrentohaveasenseof

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theirownhumanity.Theyneedtoknowthattheyaredifferentfromcomputers(9).(Iwillelaboratefurtheronthesetwobasicpositionslater.)Butifthequestionof
differencebetweenhumanbeingandmachinebeingimmediatelyariseswiththeissueofelectronicactivity,so,asimmediately,doesthequestionofwhetherpeople
andmachinesactdifferently.
Whilethinking,talking,feeling,andotherwiseperceiving,intentionality,andthecapacityfortoolmaking,areoftenlistedashumancapacities,theyalso,obviously,
nameand/orimplyrealmsofactivity.Theidentityordifferencebetweenmachinesandpeople,then,maybeanalyzedbycomparingtheiractivitiesatleastasfruitfully
asbycomparingtheirtraits.Theveryactivitythatdefinesmachinesistheactivitythatconfoundsthedistinctionbetweenthemandpeoplethatactivityiswork.From
allpointsonapoliticalspectrum,peoplehaveassertednotonlythatmachineswork,butthatworkistheirraisondtre,andquiteproperlyso.Inhisintroductionto
theTimeLifebookMachines,HenryFordIIwritesofhisgrandfather,HenryFord,Hisboyhoodona19thCenturyfarmconvincedhimthatmenandhorseswere
doingalotofhardworkthatcouldandshouldbedonebymachines(OBrien).HegoesontoquotetheoriginalFord:[We]havetakentheheavylaborfrommans
backandplaceditonthebroadbackofthemachine(OBrien).Extendingthisvisiontowardatotalizedand(thisiscrucial)socializedarrangement,LewisMumford
neverthelessconcursthatThatis,infact,theidealgoalofacompletelymechanizedandautomatizedsystemofpowerproduction:theeliminationofworkthe
universalachievementofleisure(279).Thisessaywillexamineinsomedepththeidentityanddifferencebetweentheworkthatpeopledoandtheworkthatmachines
do.Intheinterestofthisexamination,afocusonservicehascertainadvantages.First,ithighlightsthesocialmeaningsofwork,ortherelationbetweenvarious
definitionsofworkandvarioussocialarrangements.Second,itcountersthemarxisttendencytounderstandworkascommodityproduction.Finally,electronics,as
distinctfromamorepolymorphouscategoryofmachine,andespeciallyasaU.S.phenomenon,suggestareconsiderationoftheparticularkindoflaborcalled
serviceitsnatureanditsroleamongsocialpractices.
Whatisserviceandhowisitrelatedtootherkindsoflabor?Itisacommonplacewithinmarxisttraditionstodistinguishbetweenproductivelaborandreproductive
laborinbothcases,thetelosoflaborisprofit.Wheretheformerisinvestedincommoditieswhosedistributionandsalesprofittheownerofthemeansofproduction,
thelattersupportsandmaintainstheactivitiesofproduction.Reproductivelaborconditionsthesupportandmaintenanceofculturalandtechnicalsystems,systems
that,inturn,conditiontheuninterruptedoperationofproduction,aswellas

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theuninterruptedcontrolofproduction,whetherbyowner,state,ormostlikely,somecombinationofthetwo.Withinthisschema,serviceisdesignatedas
reproductivelabor.Whilethisschemaisitselfuseful,itisprovocativeforthepurposesofthisprojecttothinkofserviceasakindoflaborthatisimmediately
consumedorexhausted.Thatis,itcannotbestored,accumulated,orsaved.Serviceisexhaustedinitsperformance.Inthissense,serviceitselfabetstheforgettingof
labor.Onceexchanged,serviceceasestoexist,andthereforeceasestostore,materially,thelaborthatgoesintoitand,equally,intotheexchange.
IhavejustclaimedthattheATMsspeechandactionsdemonstratetheimpossibilityofrepresentingahumanidentitythatisnotmarkedbygender,race,class,and
nationality,andthattheserviceperformedbyelectronicmachinesrequiresareexaminationofthedistinctionbetweenhumanandnonhumanidentities.If,asIwillgo
ontoclaim,themeaningsofthesekindsofidentitiesandtheirmarkerschangeinrelationtohistoricalchangesintypesoflabor(i.e.,theincreasedprevalenceoverthe
courseofthetwentiethcenturyofelectricandthenelectronicmachinesinthereproductivelaborforce),thenlookingatthehistoryofservicecanhelpmakesenseof
therelationbetweenmachineidentitiesandhumanidentities.
Thehistoryofdomesticserviceprovidesanespeciallygoodplacetoexploretherelationbetweenthelaborofhumansandthatofmachines.Notincidentally,domestic
laborissubjecttoatleasttwokindsofforgetting:first,likeotherkindsofservice,itisfundamentallyreproductive,andsecond,ittakesplaceinthehousehold.As
RogerSanjekandShelleeColenwriteinAtWorkinHomes:HouseholdWorkersinGlobalPerspective,
ContemporaryWesternsocietyisplaguedwithitsownmystificationtheideologicalseparationmadebetweenthehouseholdandtheworkplace.Withcapitalistorganizationof
industrialproductioninthenineteenthcentury,muchproductiveworkmovedoutsidethehometonewworkplaces.Mostreproductiveactivityremainedinthehousehold,
performedprimarilybywomen.Workbecamesomethingonedidforawageinaworkplacethehomewasnolongerseenasthesiteofwork,andpaidhouseworkwas
regardedbyemployersaslowstatus,evenstigmatizedwork,ornotrealworkatall.Inadditiontoitsideologicalimplicationsforgender,thisseparationinterfereswithour
capacitytoseethehomeasaworkplace,andtoconceptualizetheinterpenetrationofproductionandreproduction.(4)

Encouragedbythisapproachtodemystifyingthedivisionbetweenhomeandworkplace,andhavingobservedcrucialsimilaritiesbetweenthe

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natureofserviceinthehouseholdandthenatureofserviceinlowstatuspublicsectorpositions,ImovenowfrommyATMinthestreetintothehousehold.The
questionhereishowelectronicmachinesinanysphereparticipateinthenegotiationofsuchstatus,andhowlowstatuselectronicserviceconfoundsthe
distinctionsbetweenhumanandmachineidentity.
AccordingtoSanjekandColenscharacterizationofpaidhouseholdwork,atrootinallcasesisanemployerworkerrelationship(3).Thehistoryofdomestic
serviceintheU.S.,then,isequallyahistoryofemployerworkerrelations,mostoftenasamegender,crossclass,andinthelasthundredyears,acrossrace,relation.
InheressayIdeologyandServitude,JudithRollinscountsthewaysinwhichclass,racial,andgenderidentitiesintersectinemployerworkerrelationsinthedomestic
workplace.Amongthem,
thehiringofahouseholdworkeralsosupportsgendersubordination.Themiddleorupperclassfemaleemployerisabletopurchaseherfreedomfromtheleastrewarding,least
prestigiousaspectsofhersociallydefinedgenderobligations....Shethuscircumventssomeofthemostoppressiveaspectsofherwomansroleasdefinedbythepatriarchy.
(Rollins,85)

Thewhite,female,middleclassemployerthusbuyssomesocialstatusforherselfattheexpenseofaparticularworkermoreover,theemployersmiddleclassstatus
dependsontheclassstructurewithinwhichshehasthepowertobuytheservicesoftheworker.And,asRollinselaborates,throughtheexerciseofherclassprivilege,
theemployertransfersherowngendersubordinationtotheraciallyandeconomicallysubordinatedworker.Thisrelationtypically
afford[s]theemployertheegoenhancementthatemanatesfromhavinganinferiorpresentand...validate[s]theemployerslifestyle,herclassandracialprivilege,herentire
socialworld.Mostimportant,theperformanceandrelationshipdemandedfunctiontoprovidetheemployerwithideologicaljustificationfortheeconomicallyandraciallystratified
systeminwhichshelivesandfromwhichshederivesbenefit.(78)

ThehistoryofdomesticserviceintheU.S.bearsoutthisanalysis.HouseholdworkersconstitutedthelargestsingleoccupationalgroupofallemployedAmerican
womenduringthenineteenthcentury.Ofthosehouseholdworkers,thevastmajoritywerewhitewomen,andthisphenomenondependedontheoperationofslavery.
Intheearlierpartofthecentury,theoccupationwasfilledingreaterproportionsbyU.S.born

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whitewomen,butasthecenturyprogressedandimmigrationincreased,householdworkerswereincreasinglybornabroad.English,Scandinavian,German,but
especiallyIrishwomencomprisedthepopulationofforeignborndomesticworkers.InthedecadesfollowingtheCivilWar,asAfricanAmericansmoved,inlarge
numbers,outofthereconstructingSouth,andasfactory,clerical,andsalesworkbecameincreasinglyavailabletowhite(U.S.bornandimmigrant)women,African
AmericanwomenbegantofilltheranksofthedomesticworkforceintheNorthandespeciallyintheMidwest.LargenumbersofAfricanAmericanwomenalso
remainedintheSouth,atworkinwhitehouseholds.Asoneofthesewomenreportedaboutthetowninwhichshelived,in1912:
MorethantwothirdsofthenegroesofthetownwhereIlivearemenialservantsofonekindoranother,andbesidesthatmorethantwothirdsofthenegrowomenhere,whether
marriedorsingle,arecompelledtoworkforalivingasnurses,cooks,washerwomen,chambermaids,seamstresses,hucksters,janitresses,andthelike....Thotodayweare
enjoyingnominalfreedom,weareliterallyslaves.(Katzman,2425)

DavidKatzmanreportsthat,in1890,24percentoffemaleservantsandlaundresseswereAfricanAmericanby1920,thatfigurehadgrownto40percent.The
correspondingfiguresfornativebornandforeignbornwhitewomendroppedfrom44percentto39percentandfrom32percentto21percent,respectively(62
63).AndJudithRollinsreportsthat,
Throughoutthetwentiethcentury,untilthe1970census,householdworkhasbeenthelargestoccupationalcategoryforAfricanAmericanwomen.Butsince1940,thepercentage
ofemployedAfricanAmericanwomenreportedbythecensusasprivatehouseholdworkershasbeendecreasingdramatically:in1940,nearly60percentofallAfricanAmerican
womenworkerswerehouseholdworkersin1970,18percentwereandby1980,only5percentofemployedAfricanAmericanwomenwerestilldoinghousework(cits).Theyare,
ofcourse,beingreplacedbywomenfromLatinAmerica,theCaribbean,andAsia.(76)

Thesedemographicshiftsindicatewhatlargenumbersofdomesticworkershavesaidaboutdomesticwork,whichisthatitisextremelyundesirablework,bothby
virtueofitsdifficultyandbyvirtueofitslow,perhapslowest,statusamongtypesofwork.Itsdifficultyanditsstatusare,ofcourse,mutuallyreproducing:itslowstatus
derivesfromthefactthattheworkisdirty,thehoursarelong,thebenefitsarenearlynonexistentfurthermore,periodicreformeffortsnotwithstanding,thiskind

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oflaborhasalwaysbeenwhollyunprotectedbygovernmentorunionregulations.Thelowstatusoftheworkisalsoacarryoverfromslavery,aninstitutionthatwould
certainlyhavecementedtheassociationbetweensubordinatedlaborandhouseholdwork.Racism,andalsoxenophobia,musttosomedegreeaccountforalow
valuationofhouseholdworkwheresuchlargeproportionsofpeopleperformingitareAfricanAmericansorimmigrants.Thefactofitslowstatus,togetherwithracism
andxenophobia,appeartohavelicensedtheinhumanetreatmentofdomesticworkersbytheiremployers.Asadomesticworkerinterviewedintheearly1960ssaid,
Iwouldntevenmindthemeaslypayandallthedemandsandthebadworkingconditions,ifonlyIweretreatedlikeahumanbeing(Gratz,n.p.).Thistreatment,
morethananythingelse,hasdrivenwomentofindalternativeemploymentwhereverpossible,andofcoursethepossibilitieshavedifferedaccordingtotheraceofthe
worker.
Inthelastcoupleofdecades,thedemographicsoftheoccupationhaveshiftedagainoncemore,workershavecomefromtheleastenfranchisedsectorsofU.S.
society.AsRollinspointsout,sinceAsianandHispanicimmigrationhasgrown,AsiansandHispanicshavemoveddisproportionatelyintodomesticservicepositions.
Theirtreatmenthasbeenlittlebetterthanthatoftheirpredecessors.Forexample,inSouthernCalifornia,in1983,whereHispanicsconstituted60percentofall
domestics,awhite,female,employerpublishedTellaMaid,a28pagememopadofkeyphrasesandclipoutprintedmemosinSpanishandEnglishfor
communicatingwiththeestimated100,000HispanicdomesticsintheLosAngelesarea(Holmes).This,courtesyofPeoplemagazine:
HispanicleadersinLosAngeles...denounceTellaMaid(anditscompanionTellaGardener)asinsulting,demeaningandracist....Criticssaythememosaredehumanizing.I
knowitisameansofcommunication,butiteliminatesthathumancontactandcreateslittlerobots,saysGloriaMolina,whoseL.A.districtisheavilyHispanic.(Holmes)

Thespokeswomanfrom1912speaksofbeingaslave,thedomesticworkerinterviewedinthemid1960sspeaksofnotbeingtreatedlikeahumanbeing.Speakingin
the1980s,CongresswomanMolinaequatestheinhumanetreatmentofdomesticworkerswiththecreationofrobots.Whilemanyfactorsnodoubtinfluencetheshift
fromslavetononspecificnonhumantorobot,itmayalsorelatetoconcurrenttechnologicalchanges.Italsobringsusback,squarely,totheplaceofelectronics.
Thefitfulchangeswhichhavemostoftenbeendeclinesintheservantpopulationhaveledmanymiddleclasswhitewomen,inthelastcentury,tocomplainofa
servantproblem.Theproblem,forthem,hasbeen

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boththeunavailabilityandthepoorqualityofdomesticworkers.Thisphrasewascoinedatleastasearlyas1869,whenCatherineandHarrietBeecherwroteaboutit
(NCHE,68).Thedeclinethathasoccasionedthisperpetuallamentcoincides,historically,withincreasedprevalenceofelectricandelectronicmachinesinthe
household.
Whereverandwhenevertheleisureclass,undercapitalism,grows,itsgrowthobviouslydependsonstructuralinequalitiesthatproduce,andarereproduced,through
paid(andalsounpaid)householdwork.Suchgrowthmayalsodependonthedeploymentofmachinesashouseholdworkers,whichistosaythatitdependsona
serviceclassofbeing.Inotherwords,thesocialinequalitiesthatpredicatetheexpansionofthehumanmiddleclassinthiscountrymaydependontheeverincreasing
utilizationofmachinesasperformersofworkoflowsocialstatus.
Perhapssincethesocalledindustrialrevolution,ithasbeeninadequatetodefineproductivelaborastheworkthatahumanlaborerperformsbecausemachines
appeartoperformworkthatisindistinguishablefromhumanwork,itisimpossibletoassumethatthelaborcongealedinacommodityisexclusivelyhumanlabor.3 By
thesamereasoning,itisnolongeradequatetodefineservice,asacategoryoflabor,asthatwhichisprovidedbyahuman.Ifhowever,itisstillpossibletodefine
commoditiesbytheircongealmentofsomekindoflabor,itispossibletodescribeserviceasthekindoflaborthatresistscongealmentaltogether.Itisalsoinadequate
todefineakindoflaboraccordingtothetasksormotionsinvolvedinitsexecutionforexample,repetitivemotionsmaycharacterizeeitherproductiveorreproductive
labor.Nordoesthesocialclassofthepersonperformingtheservice(inthosecaseswhereitisaperson)determinewhetherlaborisserviceforexample,membersof
themanagerialandprofessionalclassesdoctors,lawyers,bankers,teachers,bureaucraticworkersofpublicandprivateemploysupplytheirlaborintheformof
services,asdonursesandhouseholdworkers.Conversely,service,perse,doesnotdesignateakindoflaborthatnecessarilycarrieswithitlowsocialstatus.Itis
equallyimpossibletodefineaclassoflaboronthebasisofwhethertheemployerispublicorprivateinstitutionorindividual.
Whereandhowdomachinesoccupythesemeanings?MumfordandFordbothsuggestthatmachinescan,do,andshouldwork,andthattheiridealroleistorelieve
peopleoflabor.ReferringtoatraditionalWesterntaxonomyoflabor,Mumfordgoesontowrite,Butworkintheformofunwillingdrudgeryorofthatsedimentary
routinewhich...theAthenianssoproperlydespisedworkinthesedegradingformsisthetrueprovinceofmachines(279).Again,thedegradingformsofwhich
Mumford

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writesarefoundinproductivelaborformsaswellasservice,butwhereservicefitsthedescriptionofunwillingdrudgeryorsedimentaryroutine,machinesmaybe
aseasilyinductedintotheperformanceoflaborastheyareintotheperformanceofstrictlyproductivelabor.Iwillpursuethekindofservicethatfitsthatdescription,
askinghowelectronicsparticipateinthenegotiationofthemeaningsofsuchwork,aswellasthenegotiationoftheidentitiesofthebeingswhoperformit.
ReturningoncemoretotheATMsassiststhispursuit.HavinginformallyobservedthechangesinthespeechofATMsoverthepasttwodecades,Dr.Ben
Shneidermanhasdescribedthefollowingtrendinthedevelopmentofuserinterfacesystems.Intheirearlyforms,accordingtoShneiderman,ATMshadnamessuch
asTillietheTellerorHarveyWallbankerandwereprogrammedwithphrasessuchasHowcanIhelpyou?(Beyond,6).Thisphase,whichhedesignatesasa
momentofanthropomorphicfantasy,personifiesthemachinebygivingitahuman(IwouldsayAmericanEnglish)name,byreferringinthatnametothehumanthat
usedtoperform(and,inanotherlocation,stillperforms)thetransactionwhichthemachinewillperformelectronically,byprinting(inreferencetoitself)thefirst
personsingularpronoun,andbyoffering,explicitly,toactlikeahuman,thatis,tohelp.
IfthefirstandanthropomorphicwaveofATMuserinterfacedesignhumanizesthemachinesinordertoattractandinitiateaskepticalpublic,thesecondphase
countersthathumanizationbynamingtheelectronicmedium.Inthisphase,stillaccordingtoShneiderman,Thesedeceptiveimagesrapidlygavewaytoafocusonthe
computertechnologywithnamessuchasTheElectronicTeller,CompuCash,Cashmatic,orCompubank(Beyond,6).Inthesenames,thesemioticpendulum
swingstotheothersidetheyeitherimplyorinfer(orboth)thatthetechnologyitselfattracts,andevenaddicts,users.
Overtime,writesShneiderman,theemphasismovestowardstheserviceprovidedtotheuser:CashFlow,MoneyExchange,24HourMoneyMachine,Allnight
Banker,orMoneyMover(Beyond,6).Whiletheanthropomorphicsoftwaredesignemphasizestheintentionalagencyofthecomputer,andthesecondphase
emphasizesthemediumthatmakespossibletheappearanceofthecomputersintentions,thethirdphasedeemphasizesintentionalagencyaltogether.Thesenames
reducethemachinetoitsfunctionsandrhetoricallyremovethemachinefromitsintermediarypositionbetweentheuserandthefinancialinstitutionalthoughthe
machinemayconductthesametransactionsasever,itsnameliterallydescribesitasapurelytransparent(asopposedtointentional)agent.Thisthirdsetofnames
referstotheactionsthathumanbanktellersper

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formwithoutreferringtotheirortothemachineshumanity.Inthisway,thenamebeginstocollapsethehumanityofbothmachineandhumanbanktellerintotheir
commonperformanceoflabor.
GaylonHowe,oftheWachoviaBank,confirmsShneidermansobservations.4 Intheearly1970s,herecalls,ATMmarketingstrategyassumedthatthegeneralpublic
wouldberesistanttousingthenewtechnology.Asaresult,theinterfacedesignfocusedonthepersonalaspectoftheATM.CharacterizingtheerainwhichATMs
firstemergedasatimebeforepersonalcomputers,andbeforecreditcardshadcomeintosuchprevalenceastheyenjoytwentyyearslater,Howesuggeststhat
ATMshadtodemonstratesomerelationtothingspeoplewerecomfortablewith...[to]people.ConcurrentwiththewiderpublicacceptanceofATMs,theEFT
(ElectronicFundsTransfer)technologiesdevelopedinsuchawaythatindividualATMswerenolongerconstrainedtoserveonlythecustomersofasinglefinancial
institution.Asbanksjoinedinregional,national,andtheninternationalnetworkswithotherbanksintheearly1980s,featureslikenetworkaccessandnumberof
locationsandvarietyoftransactioncapabilitiesfiguredmoreprominentlyinthemarketingofATMs.Itisimportanttonotethatbankpersonnelandnotcomputer
scientistsorinterfacedesignersmadesuchmarketingdecisions.
ItisnearlyimpossibletoestablishtheveracityoftheclaimthatthesenamesformachronologicalsequenceintheemergenceofATMs(ifthereaderisanATMuser,
shecan,nodoubt,thinkofsomeexamplesthatsupport,andalsosomethatcontradict,thoseclaims.)Regardless,Shneidermanssequencetellsastoryofthemoral
developmentofthemachines.Forhim,thedifferencebetweenanthropomorphicandnonanthropomorphicstylesininterfacedesignisthedifferencebetweenimmoral
andmoralmodesofcomputertohumanspeech.Proponentsofnonanthropomorphicuserinterfacedesignthinkthatcomputersthatmimichumanfunctionsare
deceptive,thattheyessentiallymistreattheuser.WinogradandFlores,theoreticiansofArtificialIntelligence,advocatecounteringthistrendthroughthedesignof
transparentinteraction,orinterfacesystemsthatenablethesystemitselftodisappear,nottointercedeintheguiseofanotheragentbetweenhumanusersand
thecomputationalsystem(FriedmanandKahn,11).
Asquotedearlier,Shneidermanalsobelievesthatanthropomorphicdesignfailstoupholdandconveytheideaofdifferencebetweenpeopleandthesemachines.I
wouldarguethatifthereisaproblemwiththeserepresentations,itisnotthattheyconfoundmachinebeingwithhumanbeing,orblurtheboundarybetweenhuman
andmachine,northattheydeceivethehumanuseraboutthenatureorcapabilitiesofthemachine.Therealproblemisthattheyleaveintactthenotionthatsocial
relationsdepend

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necessarilyandproperlyonaservicebeing,evenonaserviceclassofbeing.Perhapscommoditiesarenottheonlythingsthateffacelaborperhapsservicecan,in
effect,bemadetoeffaceitselfqualabor.Perhaps,indeed,theconventionsthathavethusfarmadeupthefaceoflaboringmachines,succeedexactlytotheextentthat
theyhidethelaborthatgoesintotheperformance,muchliketheconventionsofWesternrealistdrama.Inotherwords,theperformanceofserviceeffaceslaborina
differentwaythancommoditiesdo.Theperformanceofservicedependsonpeopleactingasthoughtheirserviceisnotlabor.Inthisway,whetheramachineora
personservesaperson,theservicebeingmustseemtoenjoyservingthatis,shemusthideherownlabor.
Theideathatmachinescanandshouldinterveneintotheservantprobleminthiscountrygoesbackatleastasfaras1917,whenelectricity,ormoreprecisely,electric
appliances,begantofigureinadvertisementsasidealservants,asthingsthatcouldperformlaborwithoutthedisplayingtheliabilitiesofhumansubjectivities.Atwork
inthehousehold,machineshavepromised,explicitly,tosavelabor.However,asRuthSchwartzCowan,amongotherresearchers,hasshown,thiskindofequipment
doesnotactuallysavetimeforthepresumptivelyfemalehomemaker.Consequently,thelaborsavingdevicenames,andisnamedby,theverythingsitmeanstohide,
thatis,bothlaborandthefalsityofitsownpremise.Nevertheless,theideathat,inthewordsofTimeLife,ThemodernAmericanhouseholdteemswithagleaming
assortmentofwillingmechanicalslaves,hasbeenpopularandpotentthroughoutthetwentiethcentury(OBrien,166).
Contemporaryrepresentationsofthisideaoftenadvertiseelectronicdevices.Forexample,GeneralElectricairedaseriesofthreetelevisionadvertisementsforits
majorhouseholdappliancesin198586.ThisreadingofGEsadsstartsfromtheassumptionthattheyreflectastandardadvertisingstrategy,thatis,thattheseads
attempttoseducetheviewerintobuyingtheproductadvertisedbytappingintofamiliarconfigurationsofsocialrelationsinotherwords,byrepresentingideologies
andmyths,soprevalentinU.S.culturethattheviewerwillcertainlyhavealreadyboughtandconsumedthem,andbyrepresentingtheseideologiesandmythsin
associationwithproductswhichtheviewer,itishoped,willbuyandconsumeinthenearfuture.Suchmythsare,ofcourse,atworkinassociationwiththeproducts
advertisedadditionally,theadsrevealmoreaboutbothGEandthestructureofthosemythsthancouldpossiblyhavebeenintendedeitherbytheadvertisersorby
GE.Suchmomentsofrevelationaretextualironies,momentsinwhichthetruerangeofGEsoperationsarebetrayedorinwhichthepoliticalimportofthemyths
showthroughtheirostensiblyinformativecharacterinthesemoments,theambivalenceof

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Figure4.1

Page87

themachines,andpossiblyoftheirconsumers,ifnotalsotheirproducers,isbelied.
Thefirstadpicturesadishwasher,andhere,heintroduceshimself(Figure4.1).Thisadreliesonprevalenttropesofmaster/servant,orclass,relationsandlikewise
tellsaChristianstory,featuringmostprominentlymomentsofcreationandsanctifiedprocreation,whichinturninvolvetraditionalconfigurationsofgenderrelations.
TheChristianconfigurationofsubservientwomanpartnertomansubtendsthecapitalistconfigurationofpublicproducingmananddomesticreproducingwoman.
Hello.Thetitleofthis60secondspotisSonofBeepwhichresonateswithbothnamesofsequelsinvariouspopularcultureforms,andalsowithJesus,Sonof
God,theembodimentinhumanform,ofGod.Inthisad,initsbeginning,therewastheword,andthewordwasbeep.Andbeepbegetsbeeps.Inthefirstframe,
thereisonlythelightwhichisalwaysthefirstmoveofprimemoverslikeGodandGEandthebeep.Thelightandthebeepsignifytheelectronicmachinesbasic
language,whichisbinary,andtheconversionfromthatlanguagethelanguageofonoroff,zeroorone,andnotincidentally,ofobjectandsubjectintonatural
language,andthusthemachinecancommunicatewiththehumanviewer.Hello.
Thissamebeepalsoconnotestheairbroadcasttechniquefordeletingexpletivesinthiswayitisasignifierofabsence,orofeffacement.Thebeepisthereforethe
primaryunitoftheexpressionofambivalenceinthatiteffectsthosetextualironies,momentswhenthetextitselfreferstotheverythingsiteffaces,oratleasttothefact
oftheireffacement.
Rightaway,thedishwasherestablishesanidentitywhichisonlypartially,andnotgenerically,human.Hespeaks,andspeaksEnglish.Heismasculine(sonofbeep),
butdivine:hereshismagnificentself.Thedishwasherannounceshisintelligenceandrefersoncemoretohiscreation,areferencethatsustainstheChristiansubtext
ofthead.Heisbornexnihilo,ofasinlessbirth,machinefrommachinewithouttheapparentcontaminationofhumanlabor:machinaexdeus.Hishumannessisfore
groundedinhisbrainandhisspeech,whichsoundslikeaseductionnarrative,asthoughheisasensitivenewagemanwhohelpswiththecleaning,amodernMr.
Right.Hecanmakeyourpotsshine,yourcrystalsparkle.Thenheclaimstohelpyousaveenergy,bywhichhemanifestlymeanselectricityand/orgasand/oroil,but
thisisoneofthosemomentswherethemachinebetraysitself.Itdothprotesttoomuch.Again,Cowanhasdemonstratedthatwomenwhoperformunpaidhousework
fulltimeintheirownhomesdidnot,inthe1980s,dosignificantlyfewerhoursofhouseworkperweekthandidtheirpredecessorsofthe1950s(theaveragenumber
ofhoursperweekmayhavedroppedfrom40to35)(208).

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Thedishwasherthenannouncesthathecanbeprogrammedtostarthimselfhereferstotheconsummationofthesexualrelationshiphesbeenleadingupto,making
themovefromcreationtoprocreation,linkingthesexualandreligiousnarratives.Atthesametimethatthebigvoiceoverintheskyspeaks,themachineappearslitup
insideasthoughtherewereaghostinthemachine,perhapsaholyghostthesingersaddthechoraltouch.GEsmotto,webringgoodthingstolife,associatesthe
corporationwithGodoncemore,evenasitmakesexplicitthepermeabilityoftheboundarybetweenlivingandnonlivingentities,andbetweenhumansandmachines.
Thelaborforceisalmostcompletelyeffacedinthisad.However,thecombinationofnarrativesofChristiancreationandgenderedseductionfeaturedinthisad
supportprocreation,orthereproductionofthelaborforce,materiallyandideologically.Theprofitabilityofcorporateproductiondependsonalloftheseacts,or
processes,ofreproduction.IfthehumanlaborbehindthisperformanceofmachinelaborisnotcompletelyeffacedbecauseofthecameoappearanceoftheAfrican
AmericanfemaleservantfigureattheGEAnswerCenter,itisonlybecausesheactsasthefailsafemechanismbehindthismachine.Sheistheverypictureofacy
borg,inDonnaHarawayssense,hookedup,pluggedin,locatedontheintegratedcircuit.Theironyisthatsheis,inthissamesense,adoubleofthemachine,whose
professedidentityisalsocyborgian.Againstabackgroundofbeeps,spokenforbybeeps,sheisnamedbyanumberwhenIcalledthisnumber,thecircuitswere
busy.
Inthenextad,thedishwasherwelcomestheelectronicrefrigeratortothekitchen(Figure4.2).Thedialoguebetweenthembringstotheforegroundthemilitarytheme
thatwasjusthintedatinthelastad,anelaboratelayeringoffailsafesystems.Thefridgereferstohissmoothoperation,toafailsafebackupsystem,andtothe
rigoroustestingprocedures,thatsoundlikebootcamp,andwhichthedishwasherhasalsobeenthrough.Havingsharedthetestingproceduresclearlyaffordsthema
certaincamaraderie,orfraternity.Whenthefridgenotesthathisinteriorisingeniouslydesignedforefficientuseofspace,hebetraystheentirerangeofGeneral
Electricsoperations(indicatedbytheirrangeofpublications),operationswhichrangefrommeteorologicalresearchtoXraystudies,fromtheinnerspaceofthebody
totheouterspaceofouterspace.Thisisanotherofthoseironicmomentswhenthemachinespeaksofthatwhichithides,inthiscase,thefactthatapparentlybenign
householdappliancesrepresentonlyafractionofGEstotalproductionandthat,atthetimethattheseadvertisementsairedontelevision,thebulkofGEs
productionactivityplaceditamongthetoptwoorthreedefensecontractorsintheU.S.

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Figure4.2

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Theassuranceofthefailsafefeaturemimicstheassurancesmadetothepublicbymilitaryexpertstocounterthethreatoftechnologyrunamoktelevisionviewersare
assuredthatthemachinesarebackedupbypeople,thattheyareultimatelyunderhumancontrol.Theboyenters,thefailsafehumaninthiscase,andspeakstothe
machine.Onlyachildcanspeakwiththemachinequaservant(wewillseeinthenextadthattheadultwomancannotspeakwiththemachine)thisbehavior
unsocializedasitiswouldbeinappropriateinanadult.SherryTurklesresearchonchildrensbehaviorwithelectronictoysrevealsthatchildrenspeakvery
differentlytomachinesthanadultsdo.Theadimplies,correctly,thatanappreciationofclassdifference,andofontologicaldifference,issomethingthatsubjects
matureinto.Theunintendedmilitaryassociationsaremadegraphicintheboyspajamas,onwhichtheonlylegiblewordisdefense,asinStrategicDefenseInitiative,
StarWars,theproposedU.S.defenseplanformilitarycontrolofouterspace.Thismachineissoadvancedthatitspeaksforitself,indeed,andalsospeaksforGEs
involvementinthemilitaryindustrialcomplex,formajorappliancesmoremajorthandishwashersandrefrigerators.
Finally,thereistheadfortheelectroniccookingcenter,withmicrowave,stoverange,andselfcleaningconventionaloven(Figure4.3).Thisadisstructuredasa
dramaticperformanceherelaborisdramatized,asarelaborrelations.Totheaudiencewhichisconstitutedbythedinnerguestsoffscreen,thewomaninthead
appearstoperformthelaborofpreparingdinneranddessert.Herperformancefortheminvolvesentrances,exits,andapplause.Simultaneously,themachineperforms
forthetvviewingaudience,bothbyspeakingtoit,andbyrevealing,throughthatspeech,itsconvictionthatithasreallyperformedthelaborofpreparingdinner,the
samelaborthatthewomanappearstohaveperformedforherdinnerguests.Ifitsspeechhumanizesthemachine,thenthecookingcenterseemstoperformlikea
servant.
Thecookingcenterconfidestotheviewerthatitisthereallaborerinthepictureitevenmakesafamiliarcomplaintoflaborers,acomplaintwhichisofcoursea
commonsenseanalysis,thattheboss,orowner,isprofitingfromitslabor,andwithoutrecompensingthelaboreradequately.Moreover,itconfidestotheviewerits
abilitytospeak.Itkeepsthisabilityhiddenfromthewoman(itstopsbeepingwhenshewalksin)andthusthecookingcenterapparentlyagreestoeffaceitslabor(by
notinterferingwithherperformanceoflaborforherguests),anditalsoeffacesitsownpseudoalienation(bynotmakingthesamecomplainttoherthatitrevealsto
us).
Theadaskstheviewertoidentifydoubly.Firstly,withthemachine,whoseconfidenceamountstoakindofconspiracywiththeviewer.Ifthe

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Figure4.3

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viewerunderstandsthecomplaintandanalysisofthemachine,ifthevieweracceptsthemachinesclaimtobelaboring,thisisthefirstpointofidentification.Secondly,
theviewermustidentifywiththewoman,presumablybyaspiringtoperformfortheguestsasshedoes,aswellasbyaspiringtocontrolthelaborofsomeotherentity,
here,themachine.Underneathitspromisethatthemachinesaveslabor,theadpromisestheprospectiveownerofthecookingcenteraraiseinclassstatus,because
themachinepromisestoperformtheservicesofaservant.Infact,theservicesofthecookingcenterwillnotsaveitsownerappreciableamountsoftimeorwork.
Intheframeofthewomansperformanceforherguests,thewomanmaybeobjectified,buttheadobscuresthatobjectificationbykeepingthatperformanceoff
screen.Thetvviewingaudienceisnotprivytothenetworkofgazesthatfixherthetvaudienceislimitedtotheframewithinwhichthemachine,apparentlywillingly,
objectifiesitself.Ineffect,thesubjecthoodwhichthemachineofferstothewoman,itoffersthroughitsownobjectification.Ontheotherhand,thetvviewerisalso
madethevoyeurofthewomansincesheisevidentlyunawareofthetvaudience,aswellassheisunawareofthecommunicationbetweenthemachineandthetv
audience.Thetvaudienceseesherachieveafeminineidealamiddleclassfeminineidealwhenitwatchesherappeartoherdinnerguestsasnothavinglabored.
Themachineappearsasanidealservantbyappearing(tothewoman)nottohavemindedlaboring.Puttogether,thewomanandthemachinegiveaperformanceof
theideologyoflaborrelations,totheextentthatthemachinecheerilyfailstorepresentitsalienation.AsintheadinwhichtheAnswerCenterwomanappears,thereal
laborbehindthesemachines,aswellastheseads,iseffaced.ThesamewaythattheAnswerCenterwomanisobscuredwithintheGEapparatus,therealhumanlabor
thatgoesintothesecommoditiesandadvertisementsisobscured.Here,oncemorethelightintheovenhasthatremotedivinequalitylaborisreducedtoitsghostly
afterimage.
Theelectronicappliancehereenactstheperformanceofdominantideology,accordingtowhichownershipandcontrolofcommoditiescarrywiththemincreased
socialpower,whileitalsosituatesthebreakdownoftraditionalepistemologicalboundariesbetweenhumansandotherthings.Thesemachinesoffertosubstitutefor
servantsexactlytotheextentthattheyrepresentthemselvesashumanlikeobjectsand/orobjectifiedhumans.Numeroussocialobservers,fromAristotletothe
authoroftheTimeLifebookonMachines,haveproclaimedthedemocratizingfunctionofmachines.However,totheextentthatthemaintenanceofcapitalistclass
relationsdependsonsomeformofsubordinatedlabor,

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machinesseemcapableofsharingsuchlaborwithhumans,themoresothemorehumanliketheyact.
Severalphenomenaresultfromthisdynamic.Foronething,becausetheproduction,distribution,anduseofelectronicsrequiresmultipleservicerelations,the
increaseduseofelectronicdevicesmayeffacethephenomenon,andpoorworkingconditions,ofhumanservicelaborers,ratherthanobviatingtheexistenceofa
serviceclass.Foranother,in,andfollowing,theeraofReaganBusheconomics,inwhichthemiddleclasshasactuallyshrunk,andtheupperandlowerclasseshave
polarized,thenumberofelectronichouseholdapplianceshasrisenwithratherthancausedadiminishmentinthenumberofdomesticworkers.
Inthisclimate,electronicsstabilizetheideathataserviceclassofbeing(s)isproperandevennecessaryhere,electronicsparticipatein,andtherebyreinforce,the
unequalsocialandpsychologicaldynamicsuponwhichthemythofaconstantlyexpandingmiddleclassdepends.Finally,withelectronics,theboundariesbetween
humansandnonhumansarerenegotiatedifnotaltogetherdisintegrated.Inorderforclassrelationstochangedramatically,thislastpropositionmustbefully
understood.Electronics,ingeneral,occupyaliminalspace,challengingconventionalassumptionsaboutthedifferencesbetweenpeopleandmachines,aswellas
betweenlivingandnonlivingentitiessuchchallengesnecessarilyentailrethinkingthecategoriesthemselves,thedefinitionsbehindthem.Itiscrucial,inmeetingthe
epistemologicalchallengespresentedbyelectronics,toavoidtheseductivesuggestionthatsomethingmustbeenslavedinorderthatsomethingelsemaywin
emancipation(Winner,21).5 Howeverstrangeitmayseem,thefateofworkingpeopleisinextricablylinkedwiththefateofmachines.Inthesetimes,increasingly,
weworkandliveattheelectronicsiteletusbemindfuloftheconsequencesofassumingthatsomebeingorothermustservetomakeiteasiertoliveandtowork.
Ifworkisacomplexofpracticesthatground,quintessentially,theobservationthathumanandmachineidentitiesarehardtodistinguish,itisjustonesetofpractices
thatdoesso.Nevertheless,historicalchangesinthetechnologiesoflaborwouldconcurwithontologicalchangesintheidentitiesofworkers,aswellaschangesinthe
relationsamongworking(id)entities.Electronicsarisein,aswellasinform,ahistoricallyspecificacontemporaryconfusionamongidentities.IfIhaveusedthe
locutionoftheposthumantentatively,thatisbecausethecontemporarytechnologiesthatmakevisibletheanalyticalinsufficiencyandthepoliticalundesirabilityofa
schematicoppositionbetweenhumansandthings(andhencesituateitsrenegotiation)aremerelycontemporaryoccasionsfornoticingwhathasbeentrueallalong:
weareaninventionnotless,

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notmore,thanthethingsweinvent.Torecurtotheepigraph,perhapsthecrucialinvention,theonethatmakesallwehavetodogobyeasierisnotthetool
object,butispreciselytheinventionofdifferencebetweenhumansubjectsandotherthanhumanobjects.Morethanthedesignoftools,thedesignationofabsolute
differencebetweenusandthemhasservedasaclaimtoentitlement,tocategoricalsuperiority,toexclusiverightstoselfhood,andtoselfishsocialandtechnical
arrangements.Workingbeingshaveoftenthrownintocrisistheschematicoppositionbetweensubjectsandobjects,justastheyhaveobjected,dramatically,tothe
unequalarrangementsthatdependonit.Herewegoagain.
Workingmachinesdonotreplacehumanworkers.Theveryideathattheycouldandshould,livesintheheartofahumanismthatpreservesaseparatesocialsphere
forthehumanidentityitalsowantstopreserve.However,theydoreplacehumanisms,totheextentthattheyenabletheoriesthatsupersedethemasternarratives
narrativesthatdescribeauniversalindividualidentityasthenatural,fundamentalunitofthepoliticalandphilosophicalsystemsthatembodyliberalhumanism.Not
incidentally,theprogressiveemergenceofmachinesthatworkelectronicallyhascoincidedwiththeprogressivetheoreticaldisplacementofhierarchicalbinarisms,and
withtheproliferationoftheoriesaboutidentity.Inotherwords,contemporaryworkingbeingsrenegotiatehumanidentityatthesametimethattheyparticipateinthe
renegotiationoftheoriesofidentity.Inthissense,beingslikeelectronicmachinessituatetheelaborationofaposthumanisminwhichmastersdonotdesignateand
devalueserviceastheworkactivitybywhichobjectsandotherOtherscanbedistinguishedfromthosewhomtheyrightfullyserve.Thetheoryandpracticeof
posthumanismswillrequiretheredesignofidentitiesandofdifferencesamongthem.
Notes
1.Onthesubjectofintentionality,seeJohnR.Searle,Intentionality,anEssayinthePhilosophyofMind(Cambridge:CambridgeUniversityPress,1983)and
BatyaFriedmanandPeterH.Kahn,Jr.,HumanAgencyandResponsibleComputing:ImplicationsforComputerSystemDesign,(n.p.:J.SystemsSoftware,
ElsevierSciencePublishingCo.,1992).Onthesubjectoftoolmakingasadefinitivefeatureofhumanbeing,seeSherwoodWashburn,ToolsandHumanEvolution,
ScientificAmerican,vol.203,no.3,September1960.
2.BruceMazlish,TheFourthDiscontinuity,TechnologyandCulture8.1(1967):3.Mazlish,infact,tracesabriefhistoryofdiscontinuities(ideasthatplacedman
apartfrom,andabove,otherthingsideaswhichhadtobeovercome,

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andgenerallywerewhenscientificbreakthroughsfinallyprovedthecaseforcontinuity).Henamesthemenwhoseproofsinducedthethreehistoricegosmashings:
Copernicus,whodisplacedmanfromthecenteroftheuniverseDarwin,whoarguedforourgeneticdescentfromanimalsandFreud,whoconvincedusthatwe
werentevenatthecenterofourownselves,subjectasweweretotheworkingsofourunconscious.Lestthislastclaimseemlessobvious,asasupportforthe
argumentthatFreudunseatedacherisheddiscontinuity,IquoteMazlish(whocitesJeromeBruner,FreudandtheImageofMan,PartisanReview23.3[1956]):
WithFreud,accordingtoBruner,thefollowingcontinuitieswereestablished:thecontinuityoforganiclawfulness,sothataccidentinhumanaffairswasnomoretobe
brookedasexplanationthanaccidentinnaturethecontinuityoftheprimitive,infantile,andarchaicascoexistingwiththecivilizedandevolvedandthecontinuity
betweenmentalillnessandmentalhealth(Mazlish,3).ForMazlish,thecombinationofmathematics,experimentalphysics,andmoderntechnologythatcreatedthe
machinesthatnowconfrontus(Mazlish,8),confrontus,precisely,withtheneedtoabolishwhathecallsthefourthdiscontinuity(Mazlish,1),theonebetweenman
andmachines.
3.Thisstatementisnotintendedasaproofthattheworkthatmachinesdocanbecalledlabor.Itissimplyasuggestionthatitisincreasinglylessaccuratetodefine
laborandkindsoflaborbywhatkindofbeinghasperformedit.
4.Inprivateconversation,April1992.
5.LangdonWinner,AutonomousTechnology:TechnicsoutofControlasaThemeinPoliticalThought(Cambridge:MITPress,1977),p.21.Contraryto
Aristotle,Giedion,OBrien,andcountlessothers,Winnerevincesdoubtthatmachinescouldfulfilltheageoldpromisetorelievehumansoflabor.Thisattitudetoward
technology,fromClassicalantiquitytothepresent,assumesthatliberationisazerosumgamefollowingWinner,Iwonderabouttheconsequencesofthatassumption
andabouttheplausibilityoftheprojectionthattechnologywillinevitablyenablehumanfreedomorequality.
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Cowan,RuthSchwartz.MoreWorkforMother:TheIroniesofHouseholdTechnologyfromtheOpenHearthtotheMicrowave.NewYork:BasicBooks,
1983.
Friedman,Batya,andPeterH.Kahn,Jr.HumanAgencyandResponsibleComputing:ImplicationsforComputerSystemDesign.N.p.:J.SystemsSoftwareand
ElsevierSciencePublishingCo.,1992.
Gratz,Roberta.TheCareeroftheLastResort.ReprintedbypermissionoftheNationalCouncilofJewishWomen.NationalCommitteeonHousehold
Employment,1964.
Haraway,Donna.AManifestoforCyborgs:Science,Technology,andSocialistFeminisminthe1980s.SocialistReview80,15(2)(MarchApril1985):65108.

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Holmes,MarianSmith.IntheMoney.People,May2,1983.
Katzman,DavidM.SevenDaysaWeek:WomenandDomesticServiceinIndustrializingAmerica.1978.Urbana:UniversityofIllinoisPress,1981.
Mazlish,Bruce.TheFourthDiscontinuity.TechnologyandCulture8.1(1967):115.
Mumford,Lewis.TechnicsandCivilization.NewYork:Harcourt,Brace&World,1934.
NationalCommitteeonHouseholdEmployment.ReportofDevelopmentalProject:NationalPilotProgramonHouseholdEmployment.(Washington:
ManpowerAdministration,U.S.DepartmentofLabor,Feb.23,1966March15,1968)Feb.23,1966March15,1968.
OBrien,Robert.Machines.NewYork:TimeLifeBooks,1968.
OConnor,DavidC.WomenWorkersandtheChangingInternationalDivisionofLaborinMicroelectronics.Women,HouseholdsandtheEconomy,ed.Lourdes
BeneraandCatharineStimpson.NewBrunswick:RutgersUniversityPress,1987,24367.
Rollins,Judith.IdeologyandServitude.SanjekandColen:7487.Sanjek,Roger,andShelleeColen,eds.AtWorkinHomes:HouseholdWorkersinGlobal
Perspective.Washington:AmericanAnthropologicalAssociation,1990.
Shneiderman,Ben.BeyondArtificialIntelligence:OvercomingTheObstacleofAnimism.ProceedingsofWorkshoponLongTermSocialImpactofArtificial
Intelligence,OfficeofTechnologyAssessment,October23,1984.
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Tomashoff,Craig.WhyWeMakeLists.SanFranciscoChronicle,April7,1992,D3.
Turkle,Sherry.TheSecondSelf.NewYork:Simon&Schuster,1984.Winner,Langdon.AutonomousTechnology:TechnicsoutofControlasaThemein
PoliticalThought.Cambridge:MITPress,1977.

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FIVE
SoftFictionsandIntimateDocuments:
CanFeminismBePosthuman?
PaulaRabinowitz
Question#1:Doposthumanbodieshavehistories,genders,orsexualities?Inposingthisquestiontheeditorsofthisvolumechallengeconventionalrelationsbetween
thehumanandgender,thehumanandhistory,thehumanandsexuality.Asimplisticreadingoftheposthumanmightseeitasbeyondandbeforetimeandtype,and
outsidetheboundarieschronologicalandspatialandgenericthathaveheldhumanityandhumanism.Whileobviouslytheposthumancannotclaimforitselfsucha
utopicspace,stillthequestionalsofixesacertainstabilityontotheconstructsofhistoryandgenderandsexasifweknowpreciselywhatthesehighlyfluid,
contestedandmalleableformsactuallyareorhavebeenbeforewepostedthem.ItwasnotsolongagoasVirginiaWoolfnotedinhersearchthroughtheBritish
Museumsarchivethatlearnedmencouldaskofwomen:Doyouhavehistory,gender,sexareyouhuman?Doesthatmakewomenposthumanorprehuman?
Doesthetermhumanhaveanymeaningforwomen?Asmanyfeministscholarshavenoted,followingFoucault,theriseofthehumansciencescomesfastontheheels
oftheriseoffeminineselffashioning.1 Butinclaimingspacefortheposthumanareweerasingyetagainwomenslivesandstories?Iamnotarguingformaking
womenhuman.Whoneedsit?RatherIwanttosuggestthatwomensstoriescirculateapartfromhumanknowledge.
Question#2:Cantheposthumanspeak?Andifso,whatstheretosay?WhenGayatriSpivakaskedherprovocativequestioncanthesubalternspeak?she
exposedthepoliticswithinposthumanistcritiquesofthesubject.2 Speakingisalwaysalreadysomethingdonetousorforusbyotherswhosepresenceas
antecedents,asauthorities,asinterpreters,over

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powersours,evenwhenoneinhabitsthemostprivilegedofpositionsthatoftheWestern,educated,middleclassprofessional,likemyself.Howcanthestoriesof
othersfaroutsidethecirculationofnarrative,capital,goods,andsoforthbeheard?Theirvoicesonlyaccessiblethroughvastnetworksofmediationproneto
recuperationandmisinterpretationatbest,morelikelyimperialsilenceandviolation.Poisedbetweenactionandrepresentation,posthumanbodiesvoguingqueens,
PWAsarebodieslivingoutsidenational,sexual,economicborders.Theyexceedandoverridebordersbyturningbodiesintoactsandactionsintorepresentations.
Eliminatingthedistinctionbetweenactionandarticulation,deedandword,theposthumanbodyisstillsaturatedwiththestoriesofhumanitythatcirculatearounditit
speaksthroughalanguagestraddlingthebordersbetweenhealth/sickness,male/female,real/imaginary.Ittellsitsstories,however,throughthosealreadytolditrips
offthepasttorefusethefuture.Andsotheposthuman,alienandmarginallikethesubaltern,probablycannotspeakbecauseitisalwaysspokenthroughthestories
thatsomeoneelsealreadytold.
Question#3:Isthereaposthumanwoman?Whenwomenbeganspeakingbitternessintheconsciousnessraisinggroupsofthe1960sand1970s,womens
humanitywasstillupfordebate.Feministssoughttodocumentwomensstruggletobeheardpolitically,historically,sexually,throughtheimmediacyandrealismof
testimonyinfilm,womensstudiescourses,poetry,andcrgroups.Thesegroups,modeledontheChineseandVietnamesepracticesofcriticism/selfcriticismwhich
cultivatedangerandhatredwithinpeasantsandcadreswherenoneexistedhatredbeingtosomedegreetheluxuryofanindividualisticandmobileculturenotone
basedonfamilial,filial,ancestraltiestothelandchanneled(mostly)middleclasswhitewomensangerintopoliticalactionandtheory.Basictothecrgroupswas
theunspokenassumptionthateachwomantoldthetruth.Herstory,hersecret,herfury,hermemory,perhapsherfantasybecametheevidencefromwhichtofashion
atheoryofwomensoppression.Butwhatifshewerelying,orifnotlying,thenembroidering,weavingafabulousstoryfromoddencounterswiththeworld?
Feminismrequiredsincerityforwomentoclaimtheirexperiencesasauthenticallyhuman.Perhapsaposthumanfeminismdevelopsfromtheevasionoftruthfrom
fantasy,exaggerationandlies.Inthisessay,Iwanttoexplorethispossibility(andsuggestsomeanswerstothequestionsasked)byexaminingalittleknownfilmby
Californiafilmmaker,ChickStrand.
ChickStrandsSoftFictionrevealssecrets.Thisfilmsignalsrealnessandtruththroughvariouscinematicdevicestoallowwomentovoicetheirfantasies.However,
thefilmsreenactments,restagings,retellingsofgang

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rape,addiction,incest,seduction,intotalesofpowerandcontrolunderminesandbetraysthefeministhumanistprojectoftruthtelling.AsinBetteGordonsVariety
thefantasyandpowerofgenreconspiretoaltersexualhistories.Varietysheroine,whosellsticketsata42ndStreetporntheater,beginswatchingthefilmsgradually
theyinhabither,butsheultimatelyinhabitsthemassheretellstheirplotsasifrecallingthedaysevents.Hasshebeenmadeoverbytheimagesshewatches,orhave
theyprovidedherwithnewwaystospeakaboutherself?Issheinthem,oraretheyinher?Thebordersbetweenwordsanddeedsarepermeableactsandimages
dwellinthesameroom.
Thisroommaybethesafespaceofafriendshome,whereoneisfreetoexposeoneselfbecausethethickvegetationsurroundingtheyardshadestheinteriors,
becauseafriendwillneverbetrayasecreteventhoughacameraisfixedonyouandatsomepointeveryonewillseeyou,hearyou.Whenyoutellasecretafterall,
youexpectittogetarounditbecomesthesubstanceofgossip.Theexchangeofsecretsisfundamentaltofriendship,butalsotopowerjohnstellprostitutesstate
secrets,informantstellethnographerslocalsecretstheexchangegivesawaysomethingbutgetssomethinginreturn:Controlofthestory.Themundanesecretsof
middleclassgirlhoodaredivulgedoverkitchensinks,acrosstelephonewires,inprivatefemalespaces.Butwhatiftheroomsarebugged,whatifacameraisthere,
too?Arethesecretsstillsecret?Dothestoriesringtrue,soundreal?Hardly.Andyetladenwithmeaningastheyarewestillwanttobelievethem.Moresoperhaps
becauseweknowthemnottobesecretsanymore.
Fromitsinception,feminismhasengenderedradicalskepticismoncethelidwasblownoffandculturerevealedtobehopelesslymaledominated,whocouldtake
anythingseriously?Evenwomensauthenticvoices.Byspeakingtruthtopower,womencalledintoquestionbothtruthandpower.Butthejokewasonthose
sincerebelievers,actinglikenaiveethnographersinthefieldsoakingupauthenticculture,whofoundwomensvoicespure.Thefactisthatposthumanbodieshave
beenaroundalongtime.Theydohavehistoriesandthesehistorieswillbefoundinwhathasbeenleftoutoftheofficialaccountsofthemarginal.Posthumansalways
lie.Canposthumanwomenspeak?Ofcourse.Willtheyspeaktous?Notlikely.Orthodoxiesgetestablishedveryquickly,andthoseoutofboundsaremadeto
disappear,keptsilent,evenbythoseofuswhosejobitistolisten.Feministstalk,theorize,act,butinwhose(human)interest?
AsIperformmyroleasposthumanfeministfilmcritic,Iwanttosuggestthatthisprocessisitselfcinematic,thatis,itisbothaspectacleandspeculative.Theideaof
critiqueasculturalperformance,asposthumanactivity,canperhapspointawayoutofthepoliticalimpassesthatboth

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identitypoliticsandpsychoanalytictheoryconstructforfeminism.Asenseofthedynamicintersubjectivityoftheperformanceofcinemaofthebodiesonscreen
enactingconsciousperformancesandofthebodiesintheaudiencetakingupandremakingtheseperformances(un)consciouslyandcollectivelymightopenfilmto
posthumanacts.3 Somethingdifferenthappensinamovietheaterfromadreamorfantasy.Otherpeoplesurroundyoucoughing,laughing,eating,kissingwho
havealsotraveledtothetheater,paidmoney,andexpectaffectiveresults.Inshort,theperformanceofcinemaonscreenandintheaudiencedefiestheboundaries
ofindividualsandtheirpsychesbyrecastingthemintomassformations,posthumanassortments.
ChickStrandsSoftFictionrecirculatesmanyoftheclichsaboutwomenseroticandsexualfantasieswithinitsvisualandsoundtracks.Bringingtofocusquestions
abouttherangeoffemalesexualityandfantasy,themodesoffemaleaddress,thegenre(s)ofwomensstories,theformofthefemalebodyasvisualspectacleand
narrativesubject,SoftFictiondwellsbetweenthebordersofethnography,documentary,pornography,avantgardeandfeministcountercinema.4 Itstitleevocativeof
softcore,trueromance,hardfact,Strandherselfdescribesherbeautifullyshot,blackandwhitefilmasanethnographyofwomen.5 Indoingso,sheplacesit
directlywithintherealmofanthropologicalfilmmaking,whereshebeganhercareer.Strandinvokes,yetresists,theexoticculturalOtherthatformsthesubjectof
muchethnography.
OneofStrandsearliestfilms,MosoriMonika(1971),investigatestheimpactofaSpanishMissionontheWaraoIndiansofcentralVenezuelathroughthediffering
narrativesofayoungSpanishnunandanelderlyWaraowoman.ThisfilmexposesthemissionaryprojectasanessentiallyimperialistonethatteachestheIndians
howtoliveahumanlife....Thelifeofaman,whiledemonstratingthattheWaraocagilyemployaformofresistancetothecolonialpresenceoftheMissiondespite
theirapparentwillingnesstobeclothed,fed,andfetedbythenuns.Strandsnarrowfocusonthestoriesofthesetwowomenandherevocativecloseupsofthe
bodiesofmenandwomenworking,resting,eating,playing,breakmanyoftheconventionsoftheanthropologicaldocumentarybyrefusingtopresentthewhole
pictureofthebodyortheculture.Inherjustificationofthatfilm,NotesonEthnographicFilmbyaFilmArtist,shechallengestheconventionsofwholenesswhich
KarlHeiderhadestablishedasthemarkofwellwroughtethnographiccinema.6 Arguingfortheuseofextremecloseups,fragmentedmovementsandthesmalltalk
ofdailylife,sheseekstogetamicroscopicviewofoneofthethreadsthatmakesupthetapestryofthewholeculture.Locatingthepartialandthe

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conditional,herfilmsevolveinthefieldintoworksofartratherthanscientifictextbooks.7
Sincethemid1960sStrandhasbeenfilmingthelifestoryofherfriendAnselmo,anIndianfromNorthernMexicowhomakeshislivingasastreetmusician.Because
eachfilminvolvesalevelofperformancethatisselfconsciouslyrenderedtoalterthepurityofethnographicforms,shedescribesthefilmsvariouslyas
experimentaldocumentary,expressivedocumentary,orintimatedocumentary.Herfirstfilm,Anselmo(1967)isasymbolicreenactmentofarealeventin
whichStrandtriedtofulfillAnselmoswishforadoubleEflattuba.Shefailedtofindone,butmanagedtolocateabrasswraparoundtubawhichshesmuggledinto
Mexicoandpresentedtohim.Later,theyreproducedthetransactionforthecamera.InCosasdemiVida(1976),StrandtracestenyearsinAnselmoslifeashe
strugglestoendurepoverty.ThefilmisnarratedbyAnselmoinEnglishalthoughhedoesnotspeakthelanguage.StrandtranslatedtheSpanishnarrationAnselmo
providedandthentaughthimhowtosayitforthefilm.Again,Anselmoperformshimselfasasubjectforthese(inauthentic)ethnographies.Hermostcelebrated
film,MujeresdeMilfuegos(1976),presentsafakeethnographyaboutthewomenwhowearblackfromtheageof15andspendtheirentirelivesgivingbirth,
preparingfoodandtendingtohouseholdandfarmresponsibilities,bydepictingtheirdailyrepetitivetasksasaformofobsessiveritual.8
Theideaoftransformingtheethnographicfilmfromanobservationaltool,onewhichrecordsdailylifeand/orritualasdata,intoanexpressive,intimate,experimental
documentaryrequiresasenseofcinematicaddressasperformative.Italsopresumesthatculturalidentitiesandideasoftheindividualsubjectareconstructedas
performancesfortheself,forothers,forthecamerawithinvariousculturalarenas.Performingeverydayactivitiesasritualsforthecameraunderminestheconcept
ofritualaswellastheconceptofcinema.Itsuggeststhattheimagesonthescreenrespondtothecapacitiesoftheactorstotakeuponeposition,leaveitandtake
upanotherinastylizedfashion.Perhapsthissamesenseofmobilityofmovinginandoutofaperformanceoccursaswellforthespectator,who,ratherthanbeing
lockedintoaunified,orevensplitgaze,isalwayscallingupvariousperformativeaspectsofidentitywhichecho,refuse,confrontormergewiththescreen
performances.Togiveanotherexample,towardtheendofTrinhT.MinhhasfilmaboutSenegalesewomen,Reassemblage(1982),thefilmmakerremarks:
IcomewiththeideathatIwouldseizetheunusualbycatchingthepersonunawares.Therearebetterwaystosteal.Withtheothersconsent.Afterseeingmelaboringwiththe
camera,womeninviteme

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totheirplaceandaskmetofilmthem....WhatIseeislifelookingatme/Iamlookingthroughacircleinacircleoflooks/115Fahrenheit.Iputonahatwhilelaughterbursts
behindme.Ihaventseenanywomanwearingahat.

Thefilmmakertakesupherpositionamongthewomenshehasbeenfilmingandrespondstotheirresponsestoher.Theyarehappytobefilmedbutthefilmingmust
bebyinvitation.Thevillagewomenengagethefilmmakingprocessasanexchangeoflooks,asagestureandrecognitionofdifferencesandsoperformtheirdailylives
forTrinhwhoherselfbecomesaspectacleforhersubjects.
Recentfeministandgaystudiestheoriesofperformancestresstheconstructednessandhistoricallycontingentnatureofgenderandsexualidentities.JudithButler,for
instance,arguesthatgenderisanidentitytenuouslyconstitutedintime,institutedonexteriorspacethroughastylizedrepetitionofacts.9 DeniseRileysuggeststhat
theconditionofwomenisascontestedandhistoricallyindeterminantasthemythicalcategoryofwoman.Neithertermwomen,womanshedeclares,can
sufficientlypindownthemultivalentclaimsandstrategies(asButlercallsthem)entailedinconstitutingasubject.Ibelievefeministpoliticsmusttakeitscuefromqueer
andAIDSpoliticsandbecomeselfconsciousofitscontingentaspectofitselfasaperformancerespondingtoitsownculturalspaceandhistoricalperiod.
Likewise,Iwouldarguethatfeministfilmtheoryneedstoembraceitsperformativequalitybothasitspeaksofanobjectproductiveofandproducedby
performances,andasitbecomesanotherformofcinematicperformance.Theovervaluationofthepsychoanalyticmodel,whichreadstheeffectsofthecinematic
apparatusthroughthesubjectsunconsciousresponsestotheimaginary,forgetsjusthowconstructedandhowperformativeeventhatprimalsceneis.Afterall,the
scenetowhichcinematicvoyeurismsupposedlyrefersisrarelyseenitisanimaginativereconstruction,asymbolicperformance,ofdesire.Forallitscritiqueof
narrativerealismasoppressiveandofcriticalreflectionismasvulgar,feministpsychosemioticfilmtheoryhasperhapsunconsciouslyreinstatedareflectionistaesthetics
bydeclaringthecinematicapparatustobeamapoftheunconscious.Ratherthandescribefilmscontentsasreflectiveofsociologicalformations(likegenderroles),
cinesemioticsrepresentscinematicformasamirrorofimaginaryconstructions(likesexualdifference).Bypryingfilmawayfromitshistoricalreferencesto
performers,filmmakers,critics,andaudiencespsychoanalyticfeministfilmtheoristsveerclosetotheanalysesofculturalfeminists.
Strandsmanufactureofritualperformances,herreconstructionsof

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realevents,herrephrasedtranslations,indicatetomethattheethnographicscene,asmuchasthepsychoanalytic,isalsoaperformancethatdependsonthe
filmmakersdesirefortheencounterandtheinformantswillingnesstoactitoutforanaudience.10FilmslikehersandTrinhsdepictthehistoricityofcinematic
engagementbycallingattentiontotheperformancesofdocumentaryfilmssubjectsandobjects.Stranddescribesarecentfilm,ArtificialParadise(1986),asan
Aztecromanceandthedreamoflove.Theanthropologistsmosthumandesire,theultimatecontactwiththeinformant.Aromanceandadream:acultural
constructionandapsychicreenactment.Thus,asanethnographyofwomenwhichisjustagroupofStrandsfriendswhovisitherhomeinTujungaCanyon
between1976and1979totelltheirstoriesStrandsfilmchallengesthenotionsoftheexoticandthewholeandoftheinformantandthescientistbutalso
insistsonsocialrelationsofcinematicaddress.TheeroticcontentandstyleofSoftFictionsuggeststhemalleabilityandthepornographic,i.e.,mythic(inAngela
Carterssense),qualityofallfictions,includingethnographies,andthefictionalityofalloralandvisualtestimonies,especiallythoseoffemininedesire.11
Thefilmbeginswithasequenceoftrainsoundsandhorizontallymovingpatternsoflightanddark.Ittakesafewminutestoorientoneselftothesoundandimage
whichfinallyresolveintoacloseupofawomansfaceagainstawindow.ShedepartsthetrainandlikeMayaDereninMeshesoftheAfternoon(1943),towhich
SoftFictionpayshomage,walksinthelateafternoonSouthernCaliforniasunthroughsomegreenerytoalockedhouse.Sheremainsoutside,butthecameraenters
theroomandsurveysitvoyeuristically:checkingthekitchen,bathroom,bedroomrecreatingthedizzyingdescentofthestaircaseinMeshesgrazingtheshadowof
thefilmmakerherselftodiscoverawomansittinginanarmchairnearawindowcalmlysmokingasawomansvoiceoverexhortsustomove,firstonewaythenthe
othergathering,lifting,squeezing,releasing,justsoitfeelsgood.ThisreferencetocounterculturalCaliforniasensualityalsonodstoafemaleavantgardefilm
history.
BeginningwithGermaineDulacsLaSourianteMme.Beudet(1922)andcontinuingthroughDerensMeshesandMenkensGlimpsesinaGarden,muchwomens
avantgardecinemadevelopsasanexplorationandexposureofinteriors.DerensandStrandscamerasscrutinizetheemptyhousestheyenter,butthesehousesare
theirown,turningthevoyeuristicgazeintoanexhibitionistdisplayofitsobjects.However,whereDerenmultipliedherownbodytodisplaytheterrorsanddesiresof
thefemalesubject,Strandincludesthevoicesofmanywomentodemonstratethemultiplicityandresistanceofwomensfantasies.LikeCarmelita,theWaraowoman,
whoseincorporationintothemissioncanbereadasvictimiza

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tionbutwhoseownrenderingofitchallengesustoreadresistanceinherveryacceptanceofthenunsofferings,thewomentellstoriesofincest,addictionandNazis
whicharepotenttropesforwomensvictimization.Yetthewomensvoices,theimagestheyconstructtoaccompanytheirtalesandthesequencingoftheseimages
counterpreconceptionsoffemalepowerlessnessbysubstitutinginitsplacethepowerofacting.Thechallengetopoliticallycorrectfeminismhasaforgottenhistory.
LongbeforeCamillePagliaandKatieRoiphewerecondemningfeminismsembraceoffemalevictimization,Strandandherinformantswereexploring,even
celebrating,theirpoliticallyincorrectdesires,fantasiesandexperiences.
Astheseatedwomanbeginsherstory,initiatedbyrubbingthecurvingbanisterofthePasadenaArtMuseum,herdesiretobecomethisrailingbecomethispiece,
invitesustoquestiontheverytermsofrepresentationthatobjectifywomensbodies.Thattheplayonthewordpieceisdeliberate,wehearinherslow,precise
language.Weseeherlips,noseandeyespeeringdirectlyintothecameracinematicconventiontellsussheisrevealingtruth.Thecameraleavesherassheasks,
Haventyoueverwantedtolivewithinblackfur?Thetactiletransvestismofthiswomansdesiretoinhabitcurvedalloyedmetals,blackfur,toturnherbodyinto
anobjectoftouchdestroysthesensationofinside/outsideforusasitextendsthebodyintonewspaces,newdesires.Italsotransgressesbothculturalfeminisms
andpsychoanalyticfeminismsrigidresistanceto(yetironicinsistenceupon)womansobjectification.Thespeakingsubjectofthissequencedesiresobjecthood.
AnotherwomanappearsintentlystudyingapieceofpaperwithamagnifyingglassbeforeshebeginstoreadaletteraddressedtoStrandrecountingthestoryofa
photographerwhoseescapadeatarodeoshehadgonetoshootendswithhergivingaseriesofblowjobstoanonymouscowboysinadarkdormitoryroom.The
incidentsseeminevitabletotheletterwriterherlossofcontrolattherodeobecomesvisibletotheletterreaderinherhandwritingshefailstocapitalizeherIs.
Alreadymediatedonseverallevels(thewomansstoryappearsasaletterwrittentoChickbutreadbyagigglingwomanthroughamagnifyingglasstothecamera),
herstoryisdeeplyambivalent.Hasshebeencoerced?Isthisacaseofgangrape?Orisitastagingofafantasywhichoscillatesbetweenherpowerasvoyeur,as
photographerandtheirsasexhibitionists,assexualcowboys?Aftersheandhercameraescapeunharmedfromthisencounter,shepicksupyetanothercowboy
toshoot.Hetakeshertoastablewhereshephotographshimnakedexceptforhisbelt,hatandbootstheregaliaofs/mscenesandwhereagainshegiveshima
blowjobwhilehisbuddieswatch.Herfeariscounteredbyherexcitement,whichismediated

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furtherbyhisfinalremarksofcomfort:Itwillmakeagoodstorytotellyourgrandchildren.Inabizarrereorderingofthefemaleoraltradition,sexualpleasureexists
forthemaninhisfellatedorgasm,butforthewoman,whoneverquitegetsoffherself,itisdeferred,availableonlyintheverbalrecreationofdesirethroughmemory,
narrative,andperformance.12
Inthisstory,Strandandherinformantmanipulateoneoftheprivilegedscenesofhardcoreporn,theblowjob,evokingvisceralreactionsfromaudiencemembers
aboutthewomansstatusasavictim.13LindaWilliamshasarguedthatthegrowingpopularityduringthe1970soffeaturelengthpornfilms,suchasDeepThroat,
TheDevilinMissJones(Damiano,
1972),BehindtheGreenDoor(Mitchell,1972),signaledthattherewasanaudienceforthevisibleevidenceofdesireasafetishizedcommodityandthatmassmedia
couldproduceit.Thesefilmsinvokedwomensdemandsformoreandbettersexthroughfantasiesthatfulfilledmaledesire,thusresistingthethreatoffeminismby
constructingwomensdesireasaturnonformen.LiketheradicalfeministAnneKoedt,DeepThroatrejectsthemythofthevaginalorgasm,but,asitorchestrates
itssexualnumbersaroundtheejaculationoffellatedpenisesintoLindaLovelacesecstaticface,itsultimateaudienceismale.14Still,thenarrativeappealtoa
broaderaudience(onethatpresumablyincludedheterosexualwomen)refractedthemessagesofsoftcoremelodramas,suchasLookingforMr.Goodbar(Brooks,
1977),whichalsoassumedwomensindependentdesiresforsexualadventure,butprovidedcautionarytalesaboutthedangersofarousingmalesexualaggressionfor
theirlargelyfemaleaudiences.15Thesoftcorefilmslookedbacktothe1940swomansfilmgenre,andtothepopularwomansromancesfoundinTrue
Confessions,wheretransgressivesexualityinawomanalwaysresultedinshameandpunishment.16
ButinSoftFiction,thephotographerreturnstoherpleasureandherpower.Inherironicreplytous,nottoherhandsomecowboy,sheasserts,Well,photography
isapowertobereckonedwith,revealingthataftersheprintshisphotoshediscovershisnameonhisbelt,trackshimdown,obsessivelyfollowshimhome,and
declaresIknowwherehelivesnow.AsStrandsaysofallherinformants,theytakeresponsibilityforhavinghadtheexperience.Itsnotthattheytake
responsibilityfortheexperiencehappeningbutforhavinghadit.17Theclaimofresponsibilitychallengeswomensvictimizationin/bynarrativebyassertingthat
theirstoriesareconsciousreenactments.Theprocessoccursasatranslationarefashioningoftheexperienceintoanarrativeandvisualsequence.Thisrecursat
varioustimesthroughoutthefilmwhichcontinuestoswitchcodesbetweentheexpressionisticframeofthewomansquest(forpleasure?)andtheconcrete
documentarylikestorieswomentellaboutthe

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realandfantasizedcausesandeffectsofthesequestsstoriesofpain,violation,anddesire.
Thenextshotrevealsasundrenchedkitchen.Wewatchanudewomanenter,herbodystrongsheisunselfconsciousofitassheflipsontheradiobeforeshestarts
preparingaheartybreakfastofjuice,coffee,eggs,butteredtoast.Theshow,GrandCentralStation,beginswiththesoundsofatrainoverwhichthenarratorintones
thisisalovestory,remindingusthatthedoortothegreatwhitewayisusuallythroughthebackalley.Atthispoint,wehearavoiceoverasawomandescribesa
sensuousmemoryofswimminginapondasachilddivinginandupanddownuntiltiredsherantohergrandfatherwaitingwithatowel.Shedescribeswalking
backtotheircabinwatchingthedropsofwatersplashinginthedust.Then,matteroffactly,states,Iwasyoung,onlyseven.Wewouldmakeloveonthecouch,the
redcouch,Itrustedgrampaevenfellintoenjoyingit.Shedescribeshowhekissedherandundressedher,notingthatonlyoncedidsheseehispenis...likea
snake,apinkvelvetsnake...heuseditonmyclitoris...hewantedtoteachmehowtomakelove...howtobesensual.Bythistime,sheiseating.Thecamerano
longerdisplaysherwholebody,butagainisextremelycloseup.Cuttingintotheeggyolkwiththesideofherspoonandsmearingitoverthewhites,sheremembers
howitscaredmeitwastoocloseandtoostrong....Ijustwouldntallowmyselftobealonewithhimjumpoutofbed,feignsleep,allthetypicaltacticsof
femaleavoidanceIlearnedthemyoungnowImamaster.Pursuedandcaptured,reallycapturedcausetheresnowayout,shedeclaresassheexhalesherafter
breakfastcigarette.
Again,ambivalenceiscrucialtotheperformanceofthisscene.Hersistheonlybodyweseewhole,performingawholeact,herstorydistancedbytheoffscreen
narrator.Hervoiceisstrong,ironical,yetvulnerable.Sheisangry,butthecircumstancesshehasconstructedtodisclosehersecretimplythatshehaspowerover
them.HersiscertainlyNotaLoveStoryandtheresponsibilityiscertainlynothers,yetherimageandherstoryitsdisembodiednarrationrunningoverherreal
timeactunpacksthecinematicbaggagethisstoryoffemalepowerlessnessholdsforusandperhapsher.
ThefilmnowcutstoaclichdimageoffeminineeroticismasanudewomandancestoSidneyBechetsrenditionofPetitFleur,andweseetheplayoflightanddark
asherbodyandhairbreakthesunsrays.Thisdiversionmomentarilybreaksthetensionofcaptivityencodedinthewomaninthekitchensstoryandintheprevious
useoftheextremecloseupinthewomanatthemuseumsandrodeosstories.Butthenextwomantellsaboutbeingreallyhooked.Again,lips,eyes,broware
promi

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nentinextremecloseup,asthewomanchainsmokes,drinkswineanddescribesherplan,herprogram,tobecomehookedfirstonaman,thenonthepainhe
caused,thenonherointoescapethepain.Ultimately,shekicks,despitewonderingwhy:Itwassogood,soclear,soreal,sospacious.ButIdiditthatwasthe
planandIexorcizedhim.Theexorcismextendsintothefilmmakingprocess.Strandclaimsthatthemostincrediblepartofmakingthefilmwasmyrelationshiptothe
womenwhentheyweretalkingandbeingoncamera,anddoingitknowingtheresult,knowingthattheywouldbeonthisbigscreenandalotofpeople,strangers,
wouldseethem...themtellingitoncameraactedasanexorcism....18Inotherwords,theinformantsbecameselfstyledperformersforanaudiencewhowas
bothdistantfrom,yetintimatewith,theconnectionsinthesestories.
Thecomplicitybetweenstoryteller,filmmaker,andaudienceintheproductionofavoyeuristicfantasycontinuesaswewatchadogarrangingitselfintoacomfortable
positiononanarmchair.Thesoundtrackisofloudvoicesatrainstationperhaps,no,anaudienceataperformancewhobreaksintoapplausewhenthedogstands,
revealingthatithasonlythreelegs.Thenawhitefaceandwhitehandsemergefromtheblackness,thewomanbeginssingingSchubertsDeathandtheMaiden,
whoselyricsevokethelongingfordreams,forsleep.Incallingforththeromanticvisionofdesireasdeath,theconventionalreadingofwomensmasochismis
reinsertedasacommentaryonthewomensstoriessofar.Yet,bydoingsothroughasopranosrenditionofthelieder,thefemalebodyasaperformativetoolis
reasserted.Althougheachstoryhasbeenpainfulweseetheirfacescontort,heartheirvoicescrackastheyspeaktheyhaveallbeenhumorousaswell.Each
womanhasrestagedhertragedyintoastoryofpowerandpleasurebythestylesoftheirtellingandthecompositionsoftheirimages.Still,thesetropesofcaptivity
arethestuffoffemalemasochism,theirtrueconfessions,thestoriesofsurrenderanddesirethatfueledmypoliticallyincorrectpreadolescence.Asiftoconfirmour
secretcomplicitywiththemechanismsofpornographicsurrender,afterthelieder,wefindthetravelingwomanagain.Watchingherdepartthehouse,hersuitcase
opensexposingyardsofclothandasequinedteddy.
Thefinalsegmentframesatight,nervousface:Okay,shesays,thisisgoingtobealittlebitdifficult.HerstoryissetduringthewarinthePolandofherchildhood,
whenshesaysitwasdemandedofmethatIstayquiet...peoplewereafteryou.ItisnotclearwhetherherfamilywashidingJewsorwerethemselvesJewsin
hiding,butafteraneighborinformsonthemtheGestapovisitsherhome.Sheremember[s]beingput

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onaGestapoofficerslaptodiverthisattentionIunderstoodthatwhatmyjobwas....Irememberflirtingwithhim.Herfalteringvoicecontinueswitha
memoryofbeingawakenedbyhermotherwhenshewas31/2andwalkingatnightformiles:
Itwasnecessaryformetobeverybrave.IrememberthatIlikedthatandIrememberthatIlikethatnowthatIwasbravethen.AndIrememberahillwithfireandexplosionsofall
sorts.Irememberhowfrightenedeveryonewasandmyfathercarryingthebirdcagewiththekittens.AndIrememberfeelingproudthatIdidntwanttobecarried.AndI
rememberthathillandtherewassomethingverybadgoingonontheotherside,andthentheresablank.

Unliketheprecedingstoriesofsexualadventureandsurrender,whichemergeascoherent,wellplottednarrativesthestuffofconventionalmelodramathese
memoriesofhistoricalnecessityarefractured,disrupted,andlackclarity.Yet,evenhere,thesensationisofcontrol,ofthepowerthisyounggirlexperienceddespite,
orratherbecauseof,knowingshewasanobjectofexchangeinalargertransaction.
Thelastimagesofthefilmreturntomoreclichdimagesfromsoftcorepornawomansabandonasashowerofclearwaterwashesoverher,awomanwalking
barefootalongtheshore,twonakedwomenfrolickingonhorseback.ThesealsoaretheclichsofCaliforniaindependentfilmmakingofthe1960sthesensuous
displayofthebodyatplayinnature.LiketheSchubertLieder,thetrainjourney,orthesolodance,theyrecontainthestoriesoffemaletransgressionandpleasurein
thefaceofmasculinepowerwithinthelimitsofconventionalizeddepictionsoffemaledesire.Yetthestoriesundercutthiscontainment,violatingboundaries,justasthe
excessesoftheextremecloseupsexplodethedocumentaryconventionsofthetalkingheadbyovervaluingthepartialelementsofthefacelips,brows,nostrilsand
bodyhands,legs,feet.Thesefragmented,cutupiconsoffemininitythatappearcommodifiedinadvertisementshavebeenrechargedbythespeakers.Byallowing
movementinandoutofframe,thestationarycameraenablesthespeakerstotakecontrolofandproducetheirimages.
ThestoriesinSoftFictionflowoutofeachotherthewayonemightrevealsecretstoastrangeronatrain.Theyareintenselyprivateandpersonal,yetby
orchestratingthemwithinthecompositionsofavantgardecinematography,documentaryaddress,ethnographicfilmmakingandsoftcoreporn,Strandwantsusto
beginquestioninghowfemalepleasuresareexperiencedandrepresentedinpatriarchalculture.Thefilmsethnographicinquiryseemstoask,whatarethenarrative
andvisualcomponentsofwhitemiddleclasswomens(hetero)sexualities?Howarethey

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representedandperformedinbourgeoisculture?Thestoriesacquiretheirmeaningsthroughacomplexinterplayofimage,sequence,andsound.Thetightframingof
facesrestrictswomensbodiesascinematicspectacle,yetwealsoparticipateinavoyeuristicinvasionofprivatespaceandconventionalizedmodesofdisplaying
femaledesireaswellaslisteninonsomejuicysecrets.Thestoriesseemprivate,yettheirperformancesenterpublicspaces.Intheprocess,thetropesofthevictimare
recastthroughtheprocessofstorytellingintoagrandpanoramaleadingfromnarcissisticjoytogenocidalhorror.Astheyinvokeahistoryofgenresmelodrama,
casestudy,gossip,romancealltoofamiliarintheircontainmentsofwomensdesiresandtheircommodificationsofwomenspleasureandpain,thesestoriesaskus
tostepoutsideofconventionalnarrativesandimagesputforthbyhardandsoftcoreporn,andbytheirantipornfeministcritics,toallowforthepossibilitythatthe
storyisasexualfantasylivedout.19Intheirdevelopmentofwomenspowersofperformancepowersdependinguponculturalcontradictionsthatrecognizeboth
theOedipalnarrativespowerover,butalsoitsancillarystatusforwomenthisfilmalsochallengesthepsychoanalyticmodelofspectatorship.Insodoing,theverbal
andvisualperformancesofdesirepresentwhatAdenaRosmarincallsthepowerofgenreasaputon,becauseherethegenrespowerisputonanddisplayed
throughitsclichs.20
Strandslimitedethnographyprovidesapartialviewofthecultureofheterosexualpracticesthatarebothoppressiveandpleasurabletowomen.Herpictureofwhite,
middleclasswomenscultureowesmuchtotheboycrazygirlsgossipsessionsIrememberfromjuniorhighschoolslumberpartiesinwhichsecrets,fantasies,and
homoeroticdesiresmergedwithpopularculturalrenderingsofwomanssurrender.Howeverthisfantasydependsuponandfuelstheracismandclassdivisionthat
producesthefantasyofwomenscultureinthefirstplace(forinstance,theonlyblackwomanonscreenisseendancingnudetoBechetjazzandtheblackwomans
bodybeingiconsforwhitedreamsofsexualescape).Inshort,thefilmbecomesretrogradeinitsobsessiveexplorationsofwhite,middleclassheterosexuality.21Thus,
toacertainextent,SoftFictionparticipatesintheantipornfeminist(andAmericanNewRight)hysteriathatelideswomensvictimizationbymalesexualitywith
genocidalpracticesoffascismasitmovesfromtheprivatefantasyexperiencedoutsidepoliticalcontextstotheintrusionofmilitaryforceintothedomesticspace.In
addition,thestraightforwardpresentationofwomensvoices,coupledwiththeecstaticimagesoffemalesensualityappearasunsophisticatedrepresentationsof
desire.22Thesedistortionsrevealthefaultlinesof,becausetheystemfrom,Strandsinvestmentinauniversalizedvisionofwomensculture.

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Moreover,Strandiscaughtinaseriousdilemmawhensheembraces(albeitcritically)ethnographiccinema.Ontheonehand,ethnographyasahistoricalpracticein
whichwhitepeoplelookatand(throughcinema)displaypeopleofcolormaintainsimperialistrelationsofdomination.Ontheotherhand,byturningthelensonher
ownculturethatofwhitemiddleclassfilmartistsStrandsethnographyofwomenwouldseemtorectifythecolonialrelationshipofethnographertoinformant.But
byremovingherlenstoherownbackyard,SoftFictionplacesthethirdworldundercompleteerasure.Ineithercase,assympatheticyetstillcolonizingspectatorof
theother,orasempatheticexhibitoroftheself,Strandsfilms,byinvokingethnography,despiteproblematizingsubjectandobject,inevitablyfallvictimtotheirown
tensions.
Nevertheless,herfilmsdependontheperformancesoftheirinformantsmemoriesappearingsimultaneouslyauthenticandconstructed,humanandposthuman.As
restagings,theartificeinvolvedinthedeliberatedictionandtheclaustrophobicframingofSoftFictionconstructsspeakingsubjectswhoeventuallycallintoquestion
thepossibilityofacultureofwomenaboutwhomonecouldmakeanethnography.Thestoriesindicatethewaysinwhichcultureasahumanpracticemaybe
irrelevant.Posthumanfeministsperformthecompetingcollectivestrategiesofstorytellingandactingwecarryoutinalltheircontradictorymodeseveryday.Thatmay
bewomansculture,therebycallingforthanethnography,butmaybeitssomethingelseinstead.
ImnotseekingtorehabilitateSoftFictionbyinsertingitintoanexistingcanonoffilms.Iwouldhopethatmydiscussionofthefilmhaspointedupsomeofthe
polarizedpositionswithinfeminismsantiporn/prosex,cultural/psychoanalyticthatvergeintheirdrivetowardpurityandtruthontheaestheticizationofpolitics
thatWalterBenjamincalledfascism.Ibelieveweneedtorethinkthecategoriesgoverningourpoliticalandculturaltheorizinginordertobegintheposthumanproject
of(re)politicizingart.SecondwavefeminismintheUnitedStates,likeitspredecessors,hasreliedonculturalperformancesfromtheMissAmericaPageant
demonstrationthroughtheWomensPentagonActiontotheGuerillaGirlsrecentbillboardstoforegroundpolitics.Theoryalsomightbestbeconsideredasa
performanceacollectiveplayingoutofculturalcodesinpublicspacesthataresociallyandhistoricallyconstructedandreconstructedinresponsetopolitical
challenges.Strandsfilmandthemanyotherexpressionsthatstepoutofboundsdemandthatweconstantlyinspecttheways,inthenameofpoliticalcorrectnessor
theoreticalsophistication,wepolicethebordersoffeminism.

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Notes
1.SeetheworkofNancyArmstrong,MaryPoovey,DeniseRiley,AnitaLevy,CathyN.Davidson,amongothers.
2.GayatriChakravortySpivak,CantheSubalternSpeak?MarxismandtheInterpretationofCulture,ed.CaryNelsonandLawrenceGrossberg(Urbana:
UniversityofIllinoisPress,1988):271313.
3.IshouldnotethatinChanges:ThoughtsonMyth,NarrativeandHistoricalExperience,Mulveyreconsidersthespectacle/spectatormodel,situatingitasa
polemicalinterventionmadeataprecisemomentinthepoliticalhistoriesoffeminismandfilm.VisualandOtherPleasures(Bloomington:IndianaUniversityPress,
1989):15976.
4.PatriciaMellencampdescribesthestrategiesofheterogeneityinrecentfeministfilmandvideo:(1)theemphasisonenunciationandaddresstowomenas
subjects...(2)thetellingofstoriesratherthannovels...(3)theinextricablebricolageofpersonalandtheoreticalknowledge(4)theperformanceofparodyor
thetellingofjokes...(5)animplicitorexplicitcritiqueandrefashioningoftheoriesofsubjectivityconstructedbyvisionand(6)atransgressionofboundaries
betweenprivateandpublicspacesandexperiences,Indiscretions(Bloomington:IndianaUniversityPress,1990):13031.SoftFictionemploysvirtuallyallofthese
strategies.
5.ThiswashowStranddescribedSoftFictioninapubliclecturebeforeitsscreening.AnnArbor,MI,November1979.
6.KarlHeider,EthnographicFilm(Austin:UniversityofTexasPress,1976)states:Abasicprincipleofethnographyisholism....Fromthisprinciplecomethe
relateddictaofwholebodies,wholepeople,andwholeacts(7).
7.Strand,NotesonEthnographicFilmbyaFilmArtist,WideAngle(1978):4550.ThisispreciselythesamepointTrinhT.Minhhahasmadeabouther
controversialdocumentaryaboutSenegal,Reassemblage(1982).IknewverywellwhatIdidnotwant,shesaysofmakingthefilm,butwhatIwantedcame
withtheprocess....Myapproachisonewhichavoidsanysurenessofsignification...thestrategiesofReassemblagequestiontheanthropologicalknowledgeofthe
other.ConstancePenleyandAndrewRoss,InterviewwithTrinhT.Minhha,CameraObscura(SpringSummer,1985):89,93.
8.CanyonCinemaCatalogue6:22123.
9.JudithButler,GenderTrouble:FeminismandtheSubversionofIdentity(NewYork:Routlege,1989):140.
10.ThisgoesbacktoRobertFlahertysreenactmentsofthewhalekillinNanookoftheNorth(1925).
11.MarshaKinder,SoftFiction,FilmQuarterly33(Spring1980):50.
12.ThankstoJaneGallopforthispunwhichshemadeinresponsetothepanel,

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En/CounteringCensorship:FeministTransgressions,atthe1990ASAConventioninNewOrleansatwhichIpresentedaversionofthispaper.
13.ChickStrandattheCinematheque,Cinemanews3/4/5(1980):11.
14.AnneKoedt,''TheMythoftheVaginalOrgasm,"NotesfromtheSecondYear(NewYork:RadicalFeminists,1970).SeeLindaWilliams,HardCore:
Pleasure,PowerandtheFrenzyoftheVisible(Berkeley:UniversityofCaliforniaPress,1989)forafullanalysisofthegenreoffeaturelengthpornfilms.
15.SeeAnnSnitow,MassMarketRomance:PornographyforWomenIsDifferentinPowersofDesire,ed.Snitow,Stansell,andThompson(NewYork,
MonthlyReviewPress,1983):24563.
16.SeeAnnSnitow,MassMarketRomance:PornographyforWomenisDifferentTaniaModleski,LovingwithaVengeance(NewYork:Methuen,1986),
andJaniceRadway,ReadingtheRomance(ChapelHill,UniversityofNorthCarolinaPress,1987).
17.ChickStrandattheCinematheque,Cinemanews:11.
18.Ibid.,1.
19.Ibid.,14.
20.AdenaRosmarin,ThePowerofGenre(Minneapolis:UniversityofMinnesotaPress,1987).
21.However,inthequestionandanswersessionafterscreeningSoftFiction,
Strandoutedthewomaninthekitchen,saying,Shesfine,shesalesbiannow.PubliclectureAnnArbor,MI,November1979.
22.SeeKajaSilvermanonthesophisticatedfeministfilmsoftheavantgarde.SoftFictionisnotamongthem.TheAcousticMirror(Bloomington:Indiana
UniversityPress,1988):153.

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SIX
ReproducingthePosthumanBody:
EctogeneticFetus,SurrogateMother,
PregnantMan
SusanM.Squier
Natureandculturearereworkedtheonecannolongerbe
theresourceforappropriationorincorporationbytheother.
Haraway,Simians149

Fourfiguresanchoredthenineteenthcenturypreoccupationwithsexastheobjectofexpertknowledge,accordingtoMichelFoucault:thehystericalwoman,the
masturbatingchild,theMalthusiancouple,andtheperverseadult.Astheseparationofsexualityfromreproductionaspirestotechnicalcompletioninthepostmodern
era,wecanaskwhatfiguresnowanchorourunderstandingoftheotherterminthatcopulanownearlyundererasure:reproduction,nowattheboundariesofthe
posthuman.Asawayofbeginningtomapthatterrain,thisessaywilltracethelineageofthreeimagesfoundationaltoourcontemporarypreoccupationwith
reproductionastheobjectofexpertknowledgeandpower:theextrauterinefetus,thesurrogatemother,andthepregnantman(Foucault105).
Thesethreeimagesserveasbodilysitesforpotentiallyoppressivescientific/technicalinterventions,yetthe[re]constructionofthehumanbeingtheydepictisnot
uniformlynegative.Bytracingsomeofthefantasiestheseimagesenactintheculturalimaginary,Iwillshowthattheyplaydifferentrolesdependingupontheir
institutionalandgenericpositionings.Whiletheimagesfrequentlyexpressadisturbingtendencytowardgenderbasedobjectification,theycanalsoarticulatemore
emancipatorymodelsofthehumansubject,andhumanrelationsmodelsthatdisplacethebinaryconstructionsofmodernistepistemologies(Haraway,Simians187).
Neitherinherentlyoppressivenorinherentlyliberatory,thistrioofimagesmarksthepointatwhichwithareturntonaturenolongerpossiblereproductive
technologiesareproducingtheposthuman.Whethertheresultwillbetheemancipationfromcertainfixedandhistoricallyop113

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Figure6.1.CoverofTheAustralian
Magazine,September2223,1990,
featuringanimageofanextrauterine
fetus.Usedwithpermission.

Figure6.2.TheFatherofthePill,Dr.CarlDjerassi,
asapregnantman.CopyrightJockMcDonald1992.

pressiveconstructions,thecementingofanew,evenmoreoppressivesetofsocialrelations,orasismostlikelybothatdifferenttimes,dependsnotonthe
reproductivetechnologiesthemselves,butonthesocialandculturalconditionsoftheiruse.
Twocrucialfeaturesmarkthesecontemporaryimagesofreproduction.1 First,ineachimage,thefetusisseparatedfromthegestatingmothertobe:whetherleft
tofloatfreelyinabottle,inspace,orinsidethegloberesituatedinanothermotheror(mostshockingly)placedinthebodyofaman.Althoughthisseparationis
graphicintherepresentationsofthefetusandthepregnantman,andonlyimplicitinthefigurationsofsurrogatemothering,theimageshaveascommondenominator
theprocessofdeandrecontextualization,aprocesswhosepostmodernimplicationsarerootedintheRomanticandmodernhistoryofreproductiverepresentations.
Second,theseimagesallrepresentdifferentversionsofwhatwenowcallreproductivetechnology,versionsrangingfromtheactualtothehypothetical,fromthe
visuallyexplicittothevisuallyveiled.Yettheimagesarenotthesameasthemedicalpracticestheyrepresent.Agapexistsbetween

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therangeofmedicalpractices(actualandhypothetical)knownasreproductivetechnology,suchasAID,IVF,GameteIntrafallopianTransfer,ZygoteIntrafallopian
Transfer,Zonadrilling,abdominalpregnancy,cloning,andsoon,andtheirrepresentations.Asmaterialpracticesthathavealowsuccessrate,thepotentialfor
iatrogenichealthdamage,andaproblematicrelationshiptoapronatalistcultureandsociety,reproductivetechnologyhasbeenindictedbyfeministsocialscientistsas:
unsuccessful,unsafe,unkind,unnecessary,unwanted,unsisterly,unwise(Stanworth29091).Convincingasthatcritiquehasbeen,itfailstotakenoteoftwo
importantpoints:thatthesocialandculturalconditionsoftheirusehaveshapedtheimpactofthesetechnologies,andthatrepresentationhasplayedacrucialrolein
settingthesocialandculturalboundaryconditionsfortheiruse.
Literaryfigurationsofthereproductivebodyhavealwaysbeenopentoawiderangeofmeanings,becauseliteraturefunctionsasoneoftheinstitutionsthroughwhich
humanbeingsareshapedtotheneedsoftheirsociety,throughtheprocessofidentityconstructionthatoccursin,andmutuallyimplicates,boththesymbolicandthe
materialrealms.AsCatherineBelseyhasargued,representationshelptoconstructwhatweunderstandasourculturalandsocialexperiences,includingour
experiencesofthebody(Belsey593,598).IwillarguethatfigurationsofreproductioninliteraryandnonliterarytextsperformedthreefunctionsintheRomantic
andmodernperiods,allrelatedtotheproductionofpower:thecreationofametaphoricbreakbetweenmotherandfetusthatenabledtheirdifferentsocial
positioningsthereconstructionofwomansbodytoproduceorconsolidatemalepowerandthereconfigurationofthe[maleandfemale]humanbodytoserve
industrialproduction.Iwilltracethosedifferentwaysofproducingpowerastheyoperateinrepresentationsofarangeoftechnologicalinterventionsinreproduction,
fromthehypothetical,totheobstetrical,tothebiomedicalfromtheRomanticera,throughthemodern,tothepostmodern.
Whilereproductivetechnologyshiftedfromahypotheticaltoanactualmedicalpracticeduringtheperiodunderdiscussion,itisnotthebreakinmaterialpracticethat
concernsmehere,butthecontinuityinrepresentationalstrategies.InitiallyreflectingtheEuropeancontextofRomanticism,therangeofthesereproductive
representationsexpandsinthemodernindustrialeratoreflectBritishandAmericanconcerns,andbythepostmodernmoment,theimagesreflectandhelpto
consolidatetheglobalpowerofmultinationallatecapitalism.Theserepresentationsbothconvergeanddivergeinthepostmodernera,asanexaminationoffour
contemporarytextsdealingwithaspectsofreproductivetechnology

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threefictionsandonenonfictionreportofagovernmentcommitteewillreveal.Producingdifferentoriginstoriesandconstructionsofidentity,theserepresentations
functiontodefineanddistributedifference,withinandacrossavarietyoftemporallyandgeographicallyoverlappingpowergrids:civilsociety,psychoanalysis,
industrialcapitalism,institutionalscience,andmedicine.
MaryShelleysFrankensteininauguratestheRomanticmomentwithitsimageofmalebirth.Writtenatatimewhenfemaleprocreativepowerwasbeingcoopted
metaphoricallytorepresentthebirthoffraternalcontractualdemocracy,Frankensteinfiguresasmonstrousthemalemonopolyonpoliticalcreation.Shelleys
monster,asoutcast,conteststheinclusive,egalitarianposeoftheliberalcivilstate.YetthereproductivecritiquearticulatedbyShelleysnovelcoincidedwithshiftsin
contemporarymedicalsciencethatenabled,ratherthancritiqued,ongoingpoliticalchanges.AroundthetimethatFrankensteinwaspublished,thefieldsof
embryologyandobstetricsauthorizednewrepresentationsofthepregnantwomanandthefetusharmonizingwiththenewpoliticalarrangements.Lateeighteenthand
earlynineteenthcenturyembryologyaffirmedthetheoryofepigenesis(thenotionthatanembryodevelopsfromlessertogreaterorganizationinthecourseof
gestation)overtheearliertheoryofpreformation(thenotionthattheembryoisastatic,preformed,miniatureentity,somewhatlikethehomunculus).Thisshiftin
scientificknowledgejoinedRousseaueannotionsofchildrearingtoproduceanindividualfittingtheneedsofbourgeoiscapitalism.AsAndreaHendersonobserves,
EarlynineteenthcenturyepigenesissketchesusapictureoftheRomanticfetus[as]theperfectbourgeoissubjectitmakesitself,andsoisneithersimplythe
inheritorofpaternalpowernorthecommoditylikeproductofitsmotherslabor(Henderson11213).
Paralleltothevictoryofepigenecistembryologywasashiftintherepresentationofthegestatingandchildbearingwomaninanatomicalengravingsandmidwifery
manuals.Emphasizingthebonystructuresofthematernalpelvisasobjectstobemanipulatedbyequallyrigidobstetricalinstruments,theseillustrationsarticulateda
trend...topresentchildbirthasamechanicalprocess,havingaffinitieswithmechanicalproduction,butwiththeroleofthewoman...intheproductiveprocess...
notaslaborerbutonlyasamachine(Henderson103).LikeFrankenstein,thesenonliteraryrepresentationsparticipatedintheRomantic[re]constructionof
reproductivesubjectsman,woman,fetus.Theyreshapedthefetusasthestatesideal,organicallydeveloping,autonomousindividualtheymarginalizedwoman,
exilingherfromthepublicrealmofthesocialcontracttotheprivaterealmofthesexualcontractandtheyrecon

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structedmanasbothfatherandmotherofthenewpoliticalorder(Pateman88).
Modernrepresentationsofreproductivetechnologybuiltontheromanticseparationofdevelopingfetusfrommachinelikemothertoserveendsnotpoliticalbut
productive,andultimatelyindustrial.Fueledbyracism,misogyny,andclassism,theearlytwentiethcenturyeugenicsmovementaspiredtothebioengineeringofa
raciallyuniform(white)andgeneticallyperfecthumanspecies,fantasiesthatachievedculminationintheNaziera.Yet,paradoxically,therewerealsoeugenics
enthusiastswhoweremotivatedpredominatelybytheirbeliefthatthebiologicalsubstrateofhumanexperiencewasnotnaturalandunchanging,butconstructed,and
hencesubjecttomanipulation(Kevles,Werskey).Forthesereformers,eugenicsspoketowomensdreamsofescapingtherestrictive,essentializedreproductive
body,andworkersdreamsofupendingthehereditarydistributionofpower(Brittain,Haldane).
TherationalizationoflaborcarriedonintheearlytwentiethcenturyinEurope,England,andAmericaaimedatmaximumefficiencybyfragmentingtheworkprocess.
Thesenewindustrialmethodslentthegoalofgainingeugeniccontrolofthereproductivebodyaspecificallyindustrialform.Theytreatedtheworkersbodyasa
machine,breakingdownthelaborprocessintoitssmallestpossibleunits,usingtheassemblylinetoenforceauniform,externalschedule,andcarryingonconstant
surveillance.Modernliteraturedrewmetaphoricallyonthismonitored,mechanistic,regulated,andfragmentedwayoflife,usingittofigurenotjustproduction,but
reproduction.DrawingtheircentralmetaphorfromTaylorismandFordism,suchrepresentationspresentedareconfiguredhumanbodymaleandfemaleavailable
forindustrialproduction.
JustastheselfcreatingembryoorfetuswascentraltotheRomanticfigurationofreproduction(expressingboththepowerandthecritiqueofthenewcivilstate),so
theectogeneticfetusiscentraltothosemodernconceptionsofreproduction.Ectogenesis,orgestationoutsidethebodyofawomaninanartificialuterus,figuresinthe
mostfamiliarliteraryimageofreproductivetechnologyafterFrankenstein,AldousHuxleysCentralLondonHatcheryandConditioningCentreofBraveNew
World.There,anectogeneticassemblylineoftesttubebabiesembodiestheprincipleofmassproductionatlastappliedtobiology(A.Huxley4).Followingthe
divineprincipleofOurFord,eachbottledembryoisseparatedfromitsmaternalcontext,placedonaconveyorbelt,stimulatedbothchemicallyandenvironmentally,
monitoredandheldtoanormativetimeframe,untilthefetusesarenotbornbutdecanted...assocializedhumanbeings(A.Huxley8).
SixyearsbeforeAldousHuxleypublishedBraveNewWorld,hisolder

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brotherJuliantookabreakfromhiszoologicalstudiestowriteTheTissueCultureKing.Thissciencefictionshortstory,originallypublishedinTheYaleReview
withthesubtitleAParableofModernScience,tellsthestoryofaBritishmedicalresearchertakencaptivebyanAfricantribe.Dr.Hascombeintroducesthetribeto
Westernmedicaltechniquesmicroscopy,tissuecultureandcomesupwithaschemeforexpandingthepowerofthekingandcoincidentally,hisownpower.
Hascombepersuadesthekingtodonateasampleofhisowntissues,whichisculturedinthelaboratory,andreproduced,enablingthenewdoctorprieststogiveeach
tribalmemberabitofthekingsimmortalbody,torevereendlessly.Hascombealsocreatesalaboratorytoproducefreaksandcrossbreeds(chimeras),forthetribal
citizenstoworship.Initsplayonthetechniquesthatwouldbecomefoundationaltocontemporaryreproductivetechnology,suchasmicroscopy,tissueculture,and
geneticengineering,JulianHuxleysstoryembodiesanotherfacetoftheconflictingsignificationsattachedtoreproductivetechnologyintheearlyyearsofthetwentieth
century.
StillanotherfacetappearedinthedebateaboutthesocialsignificanceofextrauterinegestationcatalyzedbyJ.B.S.HaldanespopularDaedalus,orScienceandthe
Future(1923),withitsspeculativescenarioforectogenesis.InoneofthemoststrikingexchangesinresponsetoHaldanesbook,amasculinistandapassionate
feministsurprisinglyagreedthatectogenesiscouldbeputtofeministuses,onlytodisagreeontheimplicationsofthatfact.NietzscheanphilosopherAnthonyLudovici
gloomilypredictedthatwhenextrauterinegestationbecameareality,triumphantFeminismwillprobablyreachitszenith....Menwillthenbefranklyregardedas
quitesuperfluous(Ludovici93).Incontrast,novelistVeraBrittainsawectogenesisasatemporarystageintheprocessofshapingpregnancyalongfeministlines.
Shepredictedthatwhileectogenesiswouldbewelcomedincaseswherenormalpregnancywasexceptionallyinconvenienttothewife,orwouldinvolvealong
separationfromherhusband,parentswouldnotswitchwhollytoectogeneticgestationbecausechildrenthusproducedwouldbefoundnottothrive.Rather,parents
wouldfindmeanstomakechildbirthpainlessandpregnancydefinitelypleasurable,leadingnearlyalltwentyfirstcenturyparentstoreturntonaturalmethodsof
reproduction(Brittain7778).Likeallimagesthathaveculturalprominence,reproductiveimagesservenotsomuchtoarticulateasingleideologicalposition,asto
provideasiteonwhichpositionscanbecontestedthecontrastbetweenBrittainsandLudovicispositionsonectogenesisrevealsthepowerofreproductiveimages
toexpressnotonlypower,butalsoresistance(Poovey).

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ThedominantfeatureofpostmodernismisitschallengetothemasternarrativesofWesternmetaphysicsandphilosophy,withtheirbasesinbinaryoppositions:
mind/bodymale/femaleself/otherfirstworld/thirdworldhuman/nonhuman.Dependingonthedefinitionofpostmodernismtowhichwesubscribe,thenotionofan
exhaustive,andthereforetrue,narrativeisreplacedeitherbyanemancipationfromnarrativesthatclaimtopossessuniversaltruthorbyaturntothemanipulation
andcontrolofinformationinordertomaximizeitsefficienttransfer.N.KatherineHayleshasarguedthatwhileonedefinitionstressesphilosophicalemancipationand
theothertechnologicalcontrol,bothdescriptionsofpostmodernismhaveattheircentertheprocessofdenaturing,ordepriv[ing]somethingofitsnaturalqualities.
2 YetthatveryoppositionbetweennaturalanddenaturedisitselfimplicatedinamodernistepistemologynowunderminedbywhatDonnaHarawayhascalledthe
informaticsofdomination.AsHarawayremindsus,Wecannotgobackideologicallyormaterially....Ideologiesofsexualreproductioncanno
longerreasonablycallonnotionsofsexandsexroleasorganicaspectsinnaturalobjectslikeorganismsandfamilies(Haraway,Simians162).
Scienceandtechnologyhavesorearrangedtheboundaryconditionsforthereproductionofhumanidentitythatthechoiceisnolongerbetweenthenaturalbodyand
theculturallyconstructedbody,butbetweendifferentfieldsofbodily(re)constructionbearingdifferentsocialandculturalimplications.Thesignificanceofpostmodern
representationsofreproductivetechnologywilldiffer,dependingonthestrategydeployedfordenaturingthehumanbeing:whethertheycallintoquestionthetotalized
notionofahumanbeing(bodyandsoul,thenarrativeofalife)inordertoaffirmothermultipleidentitiesandpositionalities,orsubstituteforthattotalizationan
instrumentalfocusonbodyfragmentsassegmentsofinformationsubjecttomanipulation.
Threepostmodernliterarytextssuggesttheimplicationsofthechoiceofaparticulardenaturingstrategy.RobinCooksMutation(1989),ElizabethJolleysThe
SugarMother(1988),andAngelaCartersThePassionofNewEve(1977)figureimagesoftheectogeneticfetus,thesurrogatemother,andthepregnantman.I
willmovefromapparentlycomplicittoresistantrepresentationsofreproductivetechnologythoughineachnoveltherearegapsthatfigureresistancebeneath
complicity,oraccommodationbehindcritiquesoIwilldiscussthesenovelsinreversechronologicalorder.ButbeforeIdoso,Iwanttomapouttwoanalyticaxes,
partiallyoverlapping,thatcanilluminatethedenaturingprocesscentraltotheirpostmodernrepresentationsofreproductivetechnology.Althoughtheseaxesoccupy
differentpositions,theyarealsointerrelated,fortheymea

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suretheextentofresistanceorcapitulationtotheoperationsofpower.Onthefirstaxis,theoreticalpostmodernismaimsatemancipationfromallmasternarratives,
throughaconstantprocessofunderminingtotalizingstatements,whileitsoppositepole,technologicalpostmodernism,workstowardevergreatercontrolof
informationthroughaprocessofcontinualmappingofchaoticsystems.Utopianpostmodernism,onthesecondaxis,critiquesthecommodificationthatisaffirmedby
itsoppositepole,cooptedpostmodernism.Tosummarize,then,thefirstaxismeasurestheextenttowhichknowledgeproductionaimsatemancipationorcontrol,
whilethesecondaxisgaugestheextenttowhichmaterialandpoliticalpracticesarecriticalof,orcomplicitwith,existinginstitutionalizedpowerrelations.3
RobinCooksMutationstandsatoneendofthecontinuumbetweenculturalcomplicityandculturalcritique.DedicatedtoMaryShelley,andtakingforitsepigraph
herquestion,Howdareyousportthuswithlife?CooksmassmarketthrillerMutation(1989)tellsthestoryofDr.VictorFrank,aresearcherturned
endocrinologist,whousesinvitrofertilization,cloning,genetherapy,andsurrogacytoproduceageneticallyengineeredgeniusbabyhisownson,VJ.Then,ina
recapitulationandconservativerecuperationofShelleysradicalnarrative,themonstroussonbecomesamonstrousscientist,whocreatesaraceofgenetically
engineeredectogeneticfetusesinhissecretbasementlaboratory.
Inacentralscene,theectogeneticfetusesarediscoveredinthemonsterscientistslaboratorybyandthisisacrucialtwistthemonstersmother:
Onalongbenchbuiltofroughhewnlumbersatfourfiftygallonglasstanks....Insideeachoneandenvelopedintransparentmembraneswerefourfetuses,eachperhapseight
monthsold,whowereswimmingaboutintheirartificialwombs....Theygestured,smiled,andevenyawned....Marshatimidlyapproachedoneofthetanksandpeeredinata
boychildfromcloserrange.Thechildlookedbackatherasifhewantedherheputatinypalmupagainsttheglass.Marshareachedoutwithherownandlaidherhandoverthe
childswithjustthethicknessoftheglassseparatingthem.Butthenshedrewherhandback,revolted.Theirheads!shecried....Marshastaredatthetinyboychildwithhis
prominentbrowandflattenedhead.Itwasasifhumanevolutionhadsteppedbackfivehundredthousandyears.HowcouldVJdeliberatelymakehisownbrothersandsisters
suchastheywereretarded?HisMachiavellianrationalemadehershudder.(Cook318,320)

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Dr.Frankhasdeliberatelybioengineeredretardedfetusesinordertobreedaraceofworkerstohelphiminhisgrandplan:thelaboratorycreation,throughinvitro
fertilization,ofasuperraceofintellectuallysuperiorhumanbeings.Thisimageofectogeneticfetusespurportstorepresentatechnologicalbreakthroughthatthreatens
Westerncivilization.Yettherealsubjectistheproductionofpolitical,ratherthantechnologicalpower:thesceneyokestheunscrupulousmethodsofMachiavellitothe
purportedlymorelegitimatemethodsofRousseaueancontractualdemocracy,andreinscribestheforcesthatconsolidatedtheliberalstatethroughthemetaphoric
constructionoftheautonomouscivilsubject.InMarshasencounterwiththeectogeneticfetusesweseedramatized:theseparationoffetusandmother(asMarsha
andthefetusesarekeptapartbytheseethroughwallsofthemachinewomb)theconstructionofthefetusasaminiatureindividual(possessedofagencyand
intentionalityabletowatch,gesture,smile,evenyawn)theconstructionofthemotherasmarginalizedmachine(splitintoMarshaasobserver,andthegestational
tanks)theappropriationofevolutionarythinkingtotheendsofsocialreconstruction(embodiedinH.G.WellsslatenineteenthcenturyTheIslandofDr.Moreau
andrecapitulatedhereintheNeanderthalbrowsofthedeliberatelyretardedfetuses)andfinallythedistinctionbetweenfamilytiesandcontractualorpublicrelations.
ThislastisfiguredwhenMarsha,explicitlyframedasacaringwomanincontrasttoherson,aninstrumental,rationalman,wonders:HowcouldVJdeliberatelyretard
hisownbrothersandsisters?
AsLondaSchiebingerhasshowninherstudyofgenderandearlymodernscience,scientifictruthisitselfvariable:
asymmetriesinsocialpowerhavegivengreatauthoritytothevoiceofscience...sciencecannotbeconsideredneutralsolongassystematicexclusionsfromitsenterprise
generatesystematicneglect(ormarginalization)ofcertainsubjectmattersandproblematics.(266)

YetalthoughCooksthrillerdramatizesascientificdecontextualizationinitsplotofectogeneticfetuses,itdoessonottochallengeexistingcategoriesofwhatis
natural,buttoreinscribethem.Acceptingthenotionofaneutralsciencecapableofrepresentingrealityobjectively,Cooksvisionofreproductivetechnology
colludeswiththeasymmetricalpowerrelationsstructuringthatscience.
WhileRobinCookacceptsthenotionofanaturalworldthatsciencecandocumentobjectively,ElizabethJolleyusesthethemeofsurrogacyinTheSugarMotherto
attackthenotionthatthereisanaturalworldexistingbeforeorbeyondrepresentation.Thisperverselycomictaleofhowa

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younggirlusestheruseofbecomingasurrogatemothertogainhousing,succor,andfinancialassistancefromahistorianleftalonebyhisobstetricianwifewhoison
overseasstudyleave,immersesusinapostHeisenbergianworldinwhichscientificfactsareshapedbytheveryepistemologicalandrepresentationalprocessesby
whichtheyarediscoveredandreported.
JolleysnoveldramatizesLatourandWoolgarsinfluentialanalysisofscientificknowledgeproductionasasystemofliteraryinscription,anoutcomeofwhichisthe
occasionalconvictionofothersthatsomethingisafact(LatourandWoolgar105).ArguingthatScientificactivityisnotaboutnature,itisafiercefighttoconstruct
reality,LatourandWoolgarconcludethatscienceisnotobjective,itisprojective.InstancesofrealityunderconstructionproliferateinJolleysnovel.Thetitular
themeofsurrogacyisthedominantexampleofsucharepresentationalconstructionofreality,butanotheristhebodydiarykeptbyEdwin,readable(atdifferent
moments)aspostmodernperformance/bodyartastextorapathologicaltextualizationofafullblowncaseofhypochondria:
Thebooksweretheexternal,theinternalandtheintangible.Thebookoftheskin(theexternal)hadseparatepagesfordifferentplacesonthebody.Heplannedatsomestageto
haveaseriesofmapslikeordnancesurveymaps(insections)ofthehumanbody,hisbody,withspecialmethodsofmarkingwrinkles,hair,moles,bruises,drypatchesandthe
rathermoreunusualblemishes.Everypagehaditsownlegendandscaleandhehoped,ultimately,tomakeanaccurateindex....HeoftenimaginedCeciliaspleasureatreceiving
thecopies,handsomelybound,atsometimeinthefutureafterhewasdead.(Jolley8)

Edwinsbooksofthebodyaremorethanmerelyobsessiveintellectualizationandsexualdisplacement,thoughtheyarethat.Edwinsuseofinscriptiontogaincontrol
overthebodylinksthenovelsthemesofliterature,religion,andsurrogacy.
AsJolleyportraysit,surrogatemotheringjoinstwoepistemologicalsystemsthereligiousandthescientificonlytocollapsethemintoathird,thediscursive.Jolleys
ironicrepresentationofcontemporarysurrogatemotheringlinksittothemedievalbeliefintheVirginBirthineachcaseafact(whetherscientificorreligious)is
revealedtobenotnaturallygiven,butsociallyconstructed.JolleysuggeststhatweinventedthemythoftheVirginMary,andthenewscientificallymediatedroleof
surrogatemother,inordertocopewithasetofindeterminaciesandungovernabilities:theindeterminacyattheheartoffatherhood(that

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paternityisalwaysinvisible,maternityvisible),andtheungovernablenatureoffemaledesireandprocreativepower.Althoughbothreligionandscienceclaimthe
authoritytoascertainnaturalrealitybeforeorbehindsociallyconstructedappearances,inactualpracticetheymanifesttheshapingpowerofrepresentation.
DenaturingisfundamentaltoJolleysstrategiesforcharactercreationinTheSugarMother.Thecentralcoupleinthenovelareprofessionallyinvolvedintheprocess
offactcreationanddeployment:EdwinasanhistorianandCeciliaasaobstetrician/gynecologistandinfertilityspecialist.YetJolleysnarrativecontinuallyundermines
thefactstheymanipulateprofessionally,aswellasthefactsaboutthemselvesandothersthattheyrelyondaily.Physicalappearance,genderidentification,sexual
orientation,eventheirreproductivecapacitiesandroles,areallundercut.NotonlydoesEdwinobsessivelychartinhisthreebooksofthebodyeveryphysicalchange,
insideandout,butbothEdwinandCeciliawearwigs,forthoseoccasionsdemandingchange,andattendparties...[that]consistedoftenofpeoplewhowerenot
beingthemselves(Jolley42).Sexualidentityposesproblemsforbothcharacters:ambivalentandfumbling,Edwingeneralizesfromhisownexperiencewhenhe
wondersaboutCeciliasworkoninfertility,howmanyofthemwouldbefertileiftheydidthethingproperly(Jolley14).AndCeciliasstatusasthefaithfulwifeis
complicatedbyherlesbianrelationshipwithacolleague,Vorwickl,withwhomsheistravelingwhileonstudyleave.Eventhedog,Prince,isrevealedtobenotmale,
butbothfemaleandpregnant.
Alloftheseslylydeauthorizedfactspointtothecentralfactthatthenovelcallsintoquestion:thattheyounggirlLeilaisasugar,orsurrogate,motherforEdwin
andCeciliaschild.Thedoubtaboutthechildsparentage,andthedesireforpaternalcertainty,resonatethroughoutthenovel:inallusionstotheVirginBirth,tothe
JosephandMarymaternitywingofthehospitalwhereCeciliaworks,andtothepensiveandgentlefacesoftheMadonnabyHansMemling,Durer,andVanEyck
which,asEdwinmuses,neverceasedtofillhimwithindescribablelongings(Jolley2627).
WhenTheSugarMotherends,Leilahasabsconded,notmerelywiththesurrogacypayment,butwiththebabytoothesonshehadearlierturnedovertoEdwinas
specifiedinhersurrogacycontract.EdwinhascometoquestionbothhispaternityandLeilasMadonnalikequality:LikeJoseph,perhapshewasnotthefatherof
thischild....Hethoughthewouldwritesomething,aparable.Asuburbanparableforanentirelynewbible(Jolley193).Writingherownironicsuburbanparable,
Jolleyemphasizesthemaledesireforcontrolthatconnectsthebiblicalnotionof

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immaculateconceptiontothecontemporarynotionofsurrogatemothering.ShethuscallsintoquestionnotjustthemiraculoussingularityoftheVirginBirth,butalso
themedicalscientificdistinctionbetweenanaturalandasurrogatemother.YetJolleydoesnotreinscribetheformerbycritiquingthelatter.Rather,sherevealsthat
allsuchoppositionsaretheproductofsocialnegotiations,forintentionalityisascentraltosurrogacyasinancienttimestheideaoffatheringwastopaternity(Laqueur,
Strathern).
JolleysTheSugarMotherilluminatesthemasculineanxietyproducedbytheinvisibilityofpaternity.AngelaCartersThePassionofNewEverespondstothatsame
maleanxietybyimaginingareconstructionofthemalethatgiveshimaccesstowomansbiologicalandsocioculturalpositionandpowers.Yettheresultingvisionmay
bemoredisturbingthanJolleysineffectualEdwinorCooksschemingscientist.Jolleysdramaunrollsonthepurelypersonallevel(shiftingonlybyanalogytoamythic
orreligiousregister),whileCarterexplicitlyusestheimageofmaletranssexualpregnancytoconnecttheprivaterealmofpersonalsexualrelationstothepublicrealm
oftheliberalcivilstate.Withitsepigraphgesturingtothesocialcontract(InthebeginningalltheworldwasAmericaJohnLocke),Cartersnoveltracesajourney
tothecenterofthesexualcontract,exploringhowprivatesexualdifferenceismappedontoanAmericawhosepublicspaceisundergoinganapocalypticunraveling.
Theprotagonist,aBritishmannamedEvelyn,iskidnapedandbroughttothedesertcenterofAmericabyMama,theGreatParricide,...Castratrixofthe
PhallocentricUniverse,inordertobemadeintoasurgicallycreatedwoman,thenewEve.Astheplanisexplainedtohim:
Mythismoreinstructivethanhistory,EvelynMotherproposestoreactivatetheparthenogenesisarchetype,usinganewformula.Shesgoingtocastrateyou,Evelyn,andthen
excavatewhatwecallthefructifyingfemalespaceinsideyouandmakeyouaperfectspecimenofwomanhood.Then,assoonasyoureready,shesgoingtoimpregnateyou
withyourownsperm,whichIcollectedfromyouafteryoucopulatedwithherandtookawaytostoreinthedeepfreeze.(Carter68)

ThenovelsemancipatorynarrativechallengestheidentitystoriesfundamentaltotheconstructionofsexandgenderincontemporaryAmerica,and,becauseof
Americasculturaldominance,tomuchoftherestoftheworld.Carterstaleofreproductive(re)constructionisparalleledbyataleofsexual(re)construction,for
Evelynisonaquestforthewomanofhisdreamsthefilmstar,Tristessa.ThisquestculminateswhenthesurgicallycreatednewEvediscovershernewAdam:
Tristessa,strippednaked,

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andunambiguouslymale.ThesecretsexualreversalthathasbeenTristessaslifelongaccomplishmentilluminateshowdesireisimplicatedinsexualidentity,makingit
notnatural,butconstructed:
Ifawomanisindeedbeautifulonlyinsofarassheincarnatesmostcompletelythesecretaspirationsofman,nowonderTristessahadbeenabletobecomethemostbeautiful
womanintheworld,anunbegottenwomanwhomadenoconcessionstohumanity.(Carter12829)

ShelleysunbegottenmanFrankensteinsmonsterisjoinednowbyCartersunbegottenwoman,asCartersnovelroundsbackontheliberalcivilstatewhose
beginningsMaryShelleyplumbedinhernightmarevision,togiveusanightmareimageofitsapocalypticdemise.
ThePassionofNewEvenotonlyrecallsFrankenstein,butanticipatesRobinCookspulprewriteofit,inlinkingthethemesofsinglecreationandsurgicalbirthto
cryogenics,invitrofertilization,andartificialinsemination.However,CartersnovelinsistentlydeconstructsallthebinarydistinctionsonwhichCooksplotisbased:
male/femalepublic/privatescience/magicnatural/cultural.Ratherthanpreachinggreaterscientificcontroloverconceptivetechnologies,Carterurgesustointerrogate
thebeginning,whetherweconstructitbiologically(asthemomentoffertilization,theoriginofsexualdifference)orpolitically(asthemomentofthesocialcontract).
Howeverwedefinethatpointoforigin,Cartersnovelsuggests,itisnotnaturallygiven,butonlynaturalized.
OctaviaButlersXenogenesistrilogyreimaginesposthuman,polysexual,interspeciesreproductionxenogenesisinaplotbasednotonscientificprocedure(like
Cook)ortheexplorationofidentityconstructioninsociety(likeJolleyandCarter),butonatriedandtruesciencefictionformula:thealien.4 Kinshipanddifference
thealienandthefamiliar:theseoppositionsconcernnotjustsciencefiction,butanthropologyaswell.Inherstudyoftheanthropologicalimplicationsofthenew
reproductivetechnologies,MarilynStrathernhasexploredtheirroleinshapingourdifferentconceptionsofidentityandrelationship,inauguratinganotionof
reproductionnotasagivennaturalprocess,butastheoutcomeofanidentityconstructingand/orconfirmingconsumerchoicefromamongavarietyofidentity,
parental,andkinshipconfigurations.Ifthehistoricalunderstandingofkinshipasthesocialconstructionofnaturalfactshasbeendestabilizedbythenewnotionof
reproductionasachoicebetweenvariousdifferent,commodifiedreproductivetechnologies,itdoesnotnecessarilyfollowthatidentityisnolongerbiologically
grounded(Strathern17).Choicecanmeantheabilitytocreateanelective,

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biologicallybasedidentityinanatomizedconsumersociety,oritcanbethedecisiontoaffirmculturallyconstructedidentityandkinshipaspartofsocialrelations.
ThisdistinctionbecomesclearerwhenweconsiderButlersoxymoronicalien,Akin,inAdulthoodRites.Asthenameslylysuggests,Akinembodiesanewsortof
biologicallyproducedandculturallyreimaginedkinship:geneticallyengineeredoffspringoffiveparents:twohumans(theblackwomanLilithIyapoandanAsian
man),twomaleOankali,andoneooloi(thesexuallyneuterformoftheOankali).Amalgamofalien/kin,Akinsoriginsresemblethoseopentoconsumersofthenew
reproductivetechnologies,nowthat
reproductionmay...bedividedamongfivedifferentparents:twogeneticparentswhocontributespermandovaforinvitrofertilizationthebirthmotherwhoacceptsthe
transferredembryo,gestatesthefetus,andgivesbirthandthesocialparentswhorearthechild.(Henifin1)

Akinsbiologicallybasedidentity,constructedratherthannaturallygiven,parodicallyrepresentsandcritiquesthatliberalnotionofautonomousidentityas
consumption.YetAkinalsoarticulatesthepossibilityofamorepoliticallyengaged,affiliative,nonnaturalized,constructedidentity.Despitehisgreatergenetictiesto
thedominantOankali,hechoosestohonorfirsthissocialties,toidentifypoliticallyandemotionallywiththemarginalresisterhumansthatis,thosehumanbeings
whoresistthexenogenicplansofthenewsociety.Hetherebyconsciouslychoosestoconstructhisidentityinsociopoliticalratherthanbiologicalterms.
Whatisobscuredbytheseimagesoftheectogeneticfetus,thesurrogatemother,andthepregnantman?Bytheirprominenceincontemporaryliterarytexts,asinthe
representationaltraditionextendingbacktoMaryShelleysFrankenstein,thesethreeimagesmarginalize,overshadow,orrepressthepregnantfemalebody,inallits
messy,boundarydefyingsubjectivity.WecanseetheimplicationsofthemarginalizationorrepressionofthepregnantfemalebodyifwereturntoCartersThe
PassionofNewEve,whichfiguresthemostdramaticallydenaturedofthethreecontemporaryreproductiveimages:thepregnantman.Althoughitsplotmightbesaid
toconcernamanwhogetspregnant,thenovelultimatelyrepresentspregnancyasoccurringin,andlinkedto,thefemalebody.UnlikeJolleyssuburbanparablewith
itsdefiantsubversionoftheiconsofMadonnaandChild,CartersrewritingoftheoriginalnarrativeofWesternculture(themythoftheGardenofEden)preserves
intactthecentralimage:the

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femalebodyofEve,ourfirstmother,thusmaintainingtheconnectionbetweenpregnancyandthefemalebody.
Carterdoesnotrepresentthatlinkasunquestionedandnatural,howevershereinscribesit.Herprotagonist,Evelyn,onlybecomespregnantafterhe/shehasbeen
surgicallyreconstructedasawoman.CarterusesthecreationofanewEvetoglossthecreationoftheoldEve.GivenCartersdeconstructionofallseemingly
naturalcategories,wemightwellaskwhyshemaintainsthecategoryofpregnantwoman.Thisreinscriptionoftheconnectionbetweenthefemalebodyandpregnancy
isintegraltoCarterscritiqueofthenarrativeofWesternpolitical/cultural/sociosexualarrangements.AsJudithButlerhasobserved,thesubject...isconstitutedby
thelawasthefictivefoundationofitsclaimtolegitimacy(Butler23).Carterusestherepresentationofreproductivetechnologytochallengeaparallelprocessof
subjectconstitutionasinstitutionallegitimation.ByretellingthestoryofEve,sheilluminateshowthefemalesubjecthasbeenconstructedtoauthorizeandlegitimize
thebourgeoiscivilstate,withwomanscapacity(orvulnerability)topregnancyservingasthefoundationforitssociopoliticalstructures.ThePassionofNewEve
remindsusthatthefemalesubjecthas,atleastsincethelateeighteenthcentury,beenconstructedinandthroughreproduction:aspoliticallylegitimatingsiteofdeep
subjectivity,asobjectofmedicalscientificknowledgeandpower,asmachine,asmonitoredindustrialproducer,ascooptedpassiveconsumer.
ReproductionisreframedasaconstructedandidentityconfirmingsetofchoicesnotonlyinCartersNewEve(andButlersAdulthoodRites)butalsointhesection
onTranssexualismandAbdominalPregnancypreparedaspartofthediscussionpaper,DevelopmentsintheHealthFieldwithBioethicalImplications,bythe
AustralianNationalBioethicsConsultativeCommittee(1989).WilliamA.W.Waltersimplicitlyacceptsthenotionthatidentitycanbe(technologically)constructed
whenhearguesthatmanyreassignedtranssexualswouldfeelitwasanintegralpartoftheirfemininitythattheyshouldbearachildandforsuchpeopleabdominal
pregnancyoffersthepossibilitythattheirwishescouldbefulfilled.Linkingnaturalandconstructedsexualities,Walterssargumentrepresentsasacontinuumthe
choicesconstitutingonesreproductiveidentity,aswellasspecificmedicaltechniquesmakingsuchchoicespossible:
[If]anabdominalpregnancyweretobesuccessfulinabiologicalfemaleitmightalsobesuccessfulinabiologicalmaleorinabiological

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malewhohasbeenreassignedasafemale....Itisenvisagedthattheembryocouldbeplacedinapocketofperitoneumintheomentumwhereitcouldberetainedinpositionby
suturingaflapofperitoneumoverit(WaltersC11,C20)5

Waltersgoesontospeculatethatmaleabdominalpregnancycouldbejustifiedonthegroundsofarighttoreproductiveautonomy:thatliketheheterosexualfemale
andmale,thetranssexualmaleshouldbeabletomakeanautonomouschoicetoengageinidentityaffirmingreproductivebehavior.
YettoWalterssassertionthatreproductivechoicefunctionstoaffirmanindividualidentity,RebeccaAlburycountersthatreproductionisamatterforthecollectivity.
Herdifferentperspectivesuggestshowtheposthumancanservetoendorsenotautonomousindividualitybutresponsiblecollectivity.Alburyacknowledgesthe
constructedcharacterofthetranssexualbodywithoutacceptingitscentralitytothe(re)constructionoftheindividualidentity:
thebodyofthetranssexualisitselfatechnologicalartifact,whichhasbeentotallytransformedbyavarietyofsocialandtechnicalpracticesrangingfrommajorsurgery,through
theuseofhormones,tomakeupanddress.Seriousquestionsneedtoberaisedabouttheacceptabilityofincludingpregnancyasaninscriberoffeminineidentityontheformerly
malebody.(Albury7)

AlburycritiquesWalterssuninterrogatedlinkagebetweenthefemalebodyandfeminineidentity,arguinginsteadthatsincegenderidentityisasocialpractice,
identityisnotamatterofindividualbodiesorindividualintentions,butratherofsocialbodies,socialintentions,socialconstructions(AlburyC4).Sinceindividuals
inscribea(social)genderontheir(natural)bodies,thequestionofreconstructingidentityshouldalsobedecidedinthesocial,ratherthanpersonal,arena:
Itmaybethattheonlypossibleapproachtothepotentialdemandforabdominalpregnancyistofocus,notonthedesiresofindividuals,butonthesocialandpoliticalquestions
posedbyresourceallocationandtheethicalquestionsposedbytheappealtoatechnologicalimperative.(AlburyC4,C8)

Posthumanityisnotonlyoppressive(thoughitcanbethat),butcanalsoaffirmlinkages:tootherpsyches,otherspecies(animalandvegetable),andotheragencies,
fromthetechnologicaltothemultipleandintrapsychic.PhysiologistJ.B.S.Haldane,whofirstconceptualizedthe

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ectogeneticuterusinDaedalus,orScienceandtheFuture,wroteasciencefictionnovellateinhislifethatmappedthisaffirmativeformoftheposthuman.The
protagonistofHaldanesTheManwithTwoMemoriestranscendsindividualidentity,containingwithinhimthelifeexperiencesandmemoriesofseveralpeople.
DonnaHarawayhasmappedanotheraspectoftheposthuman,inherobservation,Ihavealwayspreferredtheprospectofpregnancywiththeembryoofanother
species(Haraway,Primate377).Contemporaryreproductivewriting,too,canarticulatenotonlytheoppressiveposthuman,butalsoinitsresistantdiscourses
thenewimagesandcontextsthatwillshapethesemoreproductiveandpleasurablemodelsforreproducingtheposthumanbody.
Notes
MythankstoIraLivingston,E.AnnKaplanandHelenCooperforcommentsonanearlierversionofthisessay,andtoparticipantsinThePostmodernBody:Health,
NursingandNarrativeconference,LaTrobeUniversity,Melbourne,Australia,June1992,forprovidingtheoccasionforitscomposition.
1.ThesubjectofFigure6.2isStanfordUniversityprofessorDr.CarlDjerassi,oneoftheinventorsofthebirthcontrolpillandfounderofSyntexLaboratories.
2.AsN.KatherineHaylesanalyzesit,denaturinghasoperatedinthepostmodernperiodfirstonlanguage,torevealthatsignificationisaconstructionratherthana
naturaleffectofspeakingandwritingthenoncontext,withtheresultthatcontextsareincreasinglyseenasconstructionsratherthanasgivensandfinallyontime,
whichisperceivednolongerasacontinuum,butratherasasetofdiscreteandinterchangeablepresentmoments.Theultimateconclusionofthisdenaturingprocess
willbethedenaturingofthehuman,Haylespredicts,witheitherliberatingorrepressiveresults.Developmentsinbothgeneticengineeringandreproductivetechnology
suggestthatsuchadenaturedhumanbeingisnotfarinthefuture(Hayles26682).
3.Initstheoreticalguises,culturalpostmodernismchampionsthedisruptionofglobalizedformsandrationalizedstructures.Initstechnologicalguises,itcontinues
toerectnetworksofincreasingscopeandpower(Hayles291).Bothtermsonthesecondaxisenactamovementofcultureandtextsbeyondoppressivebinary
categories.Bututopianpostmodernismcritiques,whilecooptedpostmodernismiscomplicitwith,thenewstageofmultinational,multiconglomerateconsumer
capitalism,and...thenewtechnologiesthisstagehasspawned[which]havecreatedanew,unidimensionaluniverse(Kaplan34).
4.MythankstoIraLivingstonforthisobservation(personalcommunication).

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FordiscussionsofButlersearliernovels,seeDonnaHaraway,Simians,Cyborgs,andWomen:TheReinventionofNature.
5.TwoworksoffictioncontainingportraitsofmalepregnancyareRymanandGray.Inthefirstnovel,malepregnancyisplottedintermsofinterspeciesreproduction
andcommunicationinthesecond,aspartofahomosexualromanceplot.
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Martin,Emily.TheWomanintheBody:ACulturalAnalysisofReproduction.Boston:BeaconPress,1987.
Mellor,AnneK.Frankenstein:AFeministCritiqueofScience.OneCulture:EssaysinScienceandLiterature.Ed.GeorgeLevine.Madison:Universityof
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Pateman,Carole.TheSexualContract.Stanford,CA:StanfordUniversityPress,1988.
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Sawicki,Jana.DiscipliningFoucault:Feminism,Power,andtheBody.NewYork:Routledge,1991.
Schiebinger,Londa.TheMindHasNoSex?WomenintheOriginsofModernScience.Cambridge,Mass.:HarvardUniversityPress,1989.
Shelley,MaryWollstonecraft.Frankenstein,orTheModernPrometheus.(1818)NewYork:BantamBooks,1981.
Siskin,Clifford.TheHistoricityofRomanticDiscourse.NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress,1988.
Stanworth,Michelle.BirthPangs:ConceptiveTechnologiesandtheThreattoMotherhood.ConflictsinFeminism.Ed.MarianneHirschandEvelynFoxKeller.
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PARTIII:
QUEERING

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SEVEN
TheSeductivePowerof
ScienceintheMakingof
DeviantSubjectivity
JenniferTerry
AspartofanattempttosituatetheAIDSepidemichistoricallyandculturally,muchofmyworkisdevotedtomakingsenseofthediscursiveassociationbetween
homosexualityandpathologyoverthepastonehundredyearsorso.Iamconcernedwithwhattheconfluenceofthesetwotermshomosexualityandpathology
meansfortheconstructionofqueersubjectivitiesparticularlyintheUnitedStatesnow,attheendofacenturyandamillennium.Mymethodistoexaminecritically
medicalandscientificprojectsdesignedtogainepistemologicalandsocialcontroloverhomosexuality.Idonotpresumethatonecandothiseffectivelybyfocusingon
scientificpracticesanddiscoursesalone.Instead,mymethodistoreadscientificpracticesasbothembeddedinandexpressiveofculturallyandhistoricallyspecific
conditions.Inshort,Ipresumesciencetobesituatedalwaysamongstcompetingmeaningsandexplanations,andnevertobeinadomainfreefrompolitical,economic,
andculturalprocesses.Formanyreaders,Iamsure,understandingscienceascultureandincultureisafirstpremise,oragivenofanyintelligentanalysisofscientific
knowledge.Likewise,thenotionthatscienceisbothembeddedinandconstitutiveofdynamicsofsocialpowerisbynowbeyondquestion,even(orespecially)from
theperspectivesofmanyscientiststhemselves.Butdemonstratingthesepointsseemsimportantnowatatimewhenthemagicalsignsofrationality,objectivity,and
scientificauthoritycontinuetoshapethetermsbywhichweimagineourselves,ourbodies,andtheenvironmentsweoccupy.
Iwouldliketooffersomeideasforassessingthecontemporaryrelationshipoflesbiansandgaymentoscientificknowledgebysayingalittle

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bitabouttheparadoxicalhistoryofthisrelationship.Bynow,wehavevoluminousevidencetoshowthatscienceandmedicinehaveplayedabigpartinthemakingof
homophobia.Andyet,paradoxically,sciencehasonoccasionhadaseductivepowerovergaymenandlesbiansespeciallywhenitpurportstoofferustruth,
authenticity,thesecurityofidentity,andevenliberation.Whyandhowhashomosexualitybecometheobjectofscientificscrutiny?Whatculturalanxietiesgenerate
scientificstudiesofhomosexuality?Andwhywouldlesbiansandgaymenagreetobestudiedbyscientists?Iwanttoposethesequestionsthroughabriefhistorical
surveyofwhatIthinkrepresentthemainkindsofscientificresearchonhomosexualityundertakenintheUnitedStatesduringthiscentury.Hopefully,thissurveywill
shedsomelightontheculturalsalienceofrecentbiologicalresearchonsexualorientationtowhichIwillturnduringthesecondhalfofthepaper.
TheParadoxofSeductionandRepulsion
OverthepastseveralyearsIhaveencounteredaparticularlydifficultandtroublingprobleminmyresearchonthehistoryoftheformationoflesbianandgay
subjectivities.Thisprobleminmanywaysprecipitatedmyspecificinterestinanalyzinghowsciencethinksabouthomosexuality:intryingtomapwhatproducesor
constructsqueersubjectivitiesinthetwentiethcentury,Ihavebeenconstantlyremindedthatonecannotsimplydisentanglethediscursiveconflationofhomosexuality
andpathology.Thisledmetoinvestigatespecificinstanceswherelesbiansandgaymenwerebroughtunderthemedicalandscientificgaze(Terry19901992
forthcoming).Iamimmenselycuriousabouthowtheprocessesofclinicalandscientificscrutinyoperateinrelationtotheproductionofqueersubjectivities.And,
frankly,Iammostintriguedincaseswherelesbiansandgaymenactuallyvolunteeredtobestudiedbyexpertsandtobeexaminedphysicallyinwaysthatwemight
findutterlydraconiantoday.
Inordertotakeupthequestionofwhylesbiansandgaymenvolunteertobestudiedbydoctorsandscientistsandwhysomeareinclinedtoembracescience,we
needfirsttonotehowthisquestionisitselflocatedinaparticularhistoricalmoment.Manyofusnowaredeeplyskepticalaboutthegrandiosepromisesofsciencebut
formostofthiscenturyintheUnitedStates,sciencehasheldthestatusofbeingthesacredavenuetotruthaswellasbeingasourceofnationalstrength.Throughout
thisdiscussionIdeliberatelyusethetermsciencebroadlytorefertoabroadrangeofdisciplinesfromthenaturaltothephysicaltothesocialsciences,including
medicine,whichsharecertainphilosophicalandmethodologicalassumptionsandapproachesbasedontheideathatscienceistheprivileged

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modefordiscoveringTruth.Whatthesedisciplineshaveincommonisthattheygenerallybelieve(1)intheimportanceoftestinghypothesesthroughcarefultechniques
ofdatagathering,experimentation,andobservation(2)thattruthisempiricallymeasurableandcanbereproducedinanexperimentalsetting(3)thatthescientistcan
maintainimpartialityandneutralitybyfollowingcertainproceduresand(4)thatwhatscientistsfindintheirlaboratoriesorthroughtheirquestionnairesorthroughtheir
clinicalobservationshassomeutilitytohumankind.
Practitionersofscienceclaimtobeobjective,impartial,neutral,andvirtuousbecausetheyhavehelpedustoknowmoreabouttheworld.Sciencehasbeenheralded
asaprimarymethodforsolvingsocialproblemslikecrime,poverty,anddisease.However,nowinthelatetwentiethcentury,afterrevelationsaboutNazimedicine,
aftertheinventionofthenuclearbombandgermwarfare,andaftertheecologicalhorrorswroughtbytechnologicaldevelopment,manyofushavedevelopedavery
skepticalviewofthedoctrineofrationalityanditspractitioners.
Ironically,coexistingalongsidethisgeneralculturalskepticismaboutscienceanddoubtaboutitsabilitytodiscoverthetruth,isapersistentfaithinthescience,ifnot
inscientists.Inandofitself,scientificknowledgecontinuestobeseenasvirtuous.Ontopofthis,researchprojectsonagrandscaleliketheHumanGenome
Project,StarWars,theStrategicComputingInitiative,andcancerresearcharejustifiedintermsoftheiressentialimportancetothevitalityandsecurityofhuman
beings.Soattheendofthetwentiethcentury,theutopicanddystopicimagesofscienceexistconcurrentlyinacuriousway.
Itisworthnotingthatskepticismtowardscientistsanddoctorsamongsomegroupsofpeoplenamelywomen,peopleofcolor,poorpeopleistheresultofalong
historyofabuseandneglect.Butwherearelesbiansandgaymensituatedinrelationtothiscontradictorystateofhorrorandhopeaboutscience?Wehaveparticularly
complicatedhistorieswhichmustbebroughttobearonthisquestion.Lesbiansandgaymencanthankscientistsanddoctorsfornamingthemaspathological
beginninginthelatterhalfofthenineteenthcentury.Andformuchofthiscenturywehavebeenregardedasanomaliestobeexplained,ifnotpatientstobetreated.As
aresult,manyaredeeplyambivalentaboutthetheoriesandapplicationsofsciencetoquestionsaboutsexuality.
We,asdeviantsubjects,havehadtoaccountforourselvesasanomalies.Wearecompelledtoaskcertainquestionsoftheself,beyondthegenericquestionof
WhoAmI?InadditionweaskHowdidIcometobethisway?HowandwhyamIdifferent?Istheresomethingwrongwithme?Istheresomethinginmy
backgroundthatwouldexplainmyhomosexuality?Istheresomethingdifferentaboutmybody?AmIadanger

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tomyselforothers?Deviantsubjectivityisforgedintherelayofthesequestions,whereanumberofintendedandunintendedeffectsareproduced.Whatfollowsisa
briefsketchofseveraldifferentkindsofstudiesinwhichhomosexualsubjectshavebeenmotivatedtoaskparticularquestionsoftheselfthatis,toaccountfor
themselvesthroughtheauthorityofscience.
ABriefSurveyofScientificStudiesof
Homosexuality
Scientificinquiryintohomosexualityisparticularlyinterestingtoanalyzebecause,asIhopetoshow,eachepisodeormodeofscientificresearchaimedatstudying
queershasbeenshapedbyand,inturn,influencesthesocialrelationsandtheculturalcontextfromwhichitemerged.Iproposethatwelookatvariouskindsof
inquiryastheyencodeandenactparticularculturalanxieties.Howhavetheseanxietiesshapedthetermsofdeviantsubjectivity?Letsbeginin1869whenGerman
physicianKarlWestphalreferredtothehomosexualasasuffererofcontrarysexualfeeling(1869).(Onthebasisofhisobservationsofagirlwholikedtodress
likeaboyandwhoacquiredsexualsatisfactionwithothergirls,Westphalconcludedthatherabnormalitywascongenitalandthusshouldnotbeprosecutedbythe
police.)Thisisthemomentwhenthehomosexualasaparticulartypeofpersonwasdiscursivelyspawned.And,importantly,thisnamingprocesstookplaceinthe
contextofclinicalmedicine,castingthehomosexualasafundamentallydiseasedanddegeneratebeing.Throughindividualcasehistoriesofpatients,nineteenthcentury
neurologistslikeKrafftEbingandCharcotdescribedhomosexualityasamanifestationofinnatedegeneracyandnervousness,likeningittothemorallyandphysically
dissipatingpracticeofmasturbation(KrafftEbing1886Charcot1882).
Attheheartofmuchofthisearlyscientificdiscourseandsubsequentstudiesofhomosexualitywasafascinationandobsessionwiththebody.Bodies,throughtheir
structuralcharacteristics,motions,habits,andbehaviorswereterritorializedincertainwaysandtreatedassourcesofscientificevidenceaboutperversion.Andthus
theybecamesitesofphantasmaticprojectionsbothfromscientistsstudyingthosebodiesandfromthesubjectswhoinhabitedthem.Throughtechniquesofclinical
surveillanceanddiagnosis,homosexualbodiesastheywereimaginedbymenofsciencethroughoutthishistory,wereinsomeimportantwayalreadyposthuman
bodies(althoughtheyhavebeenfrequentlymisperceivedassubhumanbodies).Thatis,theywereobjectstobemeasured,zonestobemapped,andtextstobe
read.Machinesandmoralsfunctionedinstrumentally

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andphantasmaticallytofindthesourcesandtracesofperversion.Foritwasbothonthesurfacesofperversebodiesandintheirdarkinteriorsthathomosexual
desirewaspresumedtooriginateandproliferate.Fullyimplicatedinperversedesireandbehavior,homosexualbodiesinthishistorywerefigurednotmerelyinterms
ofbenigndifference,butasdyshygienic,posedinoppositiontothewholeandwholesomeorganicbodyofthehuman(read:white,heterosexualgentleman).The
phantasmatichomosexualbody,fragmentedconcurrentlythroughmeasuringdevicesandhomophobicprecepts,becameatextoftelltalesignswhichthemselves
functionedasindicesofmoralcharacter.Forthehomosexualsubjectsthemselves,thebodywasbothconstrainedbythismoralquestofsciencetofindperversionon
thebody,andalwaysexcessivetoanysuchquest.Historically,deviantsubjectivityisprofoundlyboundupwithcontestsabouttheroles,functions,possibilities,and
violationsperformedbyqueerbodies.
Towardtheendofthenineteenthcentury,physicianslaboredtoestablishthevisiblestigmataofhomosexualdegeneracy.Inthisway,theclinicalstudyofpervertswas
linkedwithalargerscientificinterestinclassifyinghumanculturaldiversityinbiologicalterms.Bodieshadbecometerritoriesforsitingallkindsofdifferencesinside
andoutsideofEuropeandtheUnitedStates(FaustoSterlingforthcomingGilman1985Gould1981Green1984Marshall1990Proctor1988Russett1989
Sekula1986Stocking1976,1987).HomosexualswereoneofanumberofinternalotherswithintheWestalongsidecriminals,prostitutes,andthefeeble
mindedwhosebodieswerebelievedtocarrythegermsofruin.InnineteenthcenturyEuropeandAmerica,thebeliefthatmoralcharacterandpsychicalfeatures
werefundamentallytiedtobiologycametotheforewithavengeanceatamomentofheateddebateoverwhowouldenjoytheprivilegesoflegalandeconomic
enfranchisementinanewlyreconfiguredpublicsphere.IntheUnitedStates,anxietiesabouttheabolitionofslaveryin1865andtheriseoffeministagitationforthe
votefueledscientificresearchaimedatdemonstratingthatsocialinequalitywasmerelyamatterofbiologyandnature.Itwasaroundthismomentwhenthesodomite
wasconstructedasathreattopublichygieneandthemannishwomanwascharacterizedasathreattotheprivaterealmofthefamilynothingshortofawomanon
strikeagainstmarriageandmotherhood.Scienceandmedicinewereinstalledaskeepersofthepublictrust,andafascinationwithallthingsmodernmadetheideaof
eugenicalengineeringofapopulationsgeneticstockcompellingacrossthepoliticalspectrum.
InterestinglytheearlyclinicalstudyofpervertsandinvertsengenderedtheresistanttraditionofMagnusHirschfeldwhoattheendofthenineteenthcenturybeganto
collecthisownhistoriesofindividualswho

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volunteeredtogiveaccountsoftheirownhomosexuality(Hirschfeld1914,1975NunbergandFedern1962).HirschfeldsInstitutefortheStudyofSexualSciencein
Berlinusedtheideaaswellasthetextualconventionsofthecasehistorytodocumentthatthosewithcontrarysexualfeelingwerebenignnaturalanomalies,afflicted
notbybiologicaldefectsbutbythesocialhostilitythatsurroundedthem.ItisinterestingtonotethatthemethodsHirschfeldusedforgatheringthisinformation
resembledthetraditionalmedicalcasehistorymodel,includingaphysicalexaminationofhomosexuals.ThesecretsoftheselfthatFoucaultdescribedascentraltothe
modernclinicalconfessionofpsychoanalysiswereconveyedinthehopesthattheywouldbringhomosexualsubjectsagreatersenseofselfknowledge(1978,1980).
Atthesametime,homosexualitywouldberevealedasbenigndifferenceratherthandevianceandpathology.Inthisearlyinstanceofwhatwemightcall(attheriskof
beingpresentist)gaypositivescience,Hirschfeldandthosewhooffereduptheirstoriesbelievedthatscientificknowledgewouldbringsocialtolerance,legal
protection,andevenpersonalliberation.Sciencewasviewedasapowerfulmeansforgainingvisibilityanderadicatingprejudice.
Followingthenineteenthcenturyclinicalcasehistorymodel,homosexualityinthefirsthalfofthetwentiethcenturycametobetheobjectofanarrayofbehavioral
surveysundertakenbybiologists,sociologists,andanthropologists,oftenworkinginconjunctionwithpsychiatricphysicians.Thiskindofresearchdidnotwholly
supplanttheclinicalcasemodelbecause,asweknow,homosexualitycontinuedtobeseenasamedicalmaladythroughoutmostofthiscentury.Butthisbehavioralre
searchusedstatisticalmethodstoquantifytheincidenceandnatureofhomosexualityaspartofalargerinterestinconstitutingnormswithinthegeneralpopulation.
ThesestudiesweretiedtoothernormalizationeffortslinkedtomilitaryrecruitmentintheFirstandSecondWorldWars,topublichealthcampaignsrelatedtovenereal
diseaseandeugenics,andtomaritaladjustmentsurveysaimedatpolicingtheinstitutionsofmarriageandfamily(Davis1929DickinsonandBeam1934Kinsey
1948,1953Landisetal.1940Henry1934HenryandGalbraith1934HenryandGross1941Strecker1946StreckerandAppel1945Terman1938).A
scientificzealtomeasureeverythingfromintelligencetovocationalabilitiestoratesofsexualpleasurecharacterizedthesocialengineeringofthefirsthalfofthis
century.Anxietiesengenderedbyeconomicdepressions,wavesofimmigrationintotheUnitedStatesbySouthernandEasternEuropeans,andinternalmigrationof
AfricanAmericanstonortherncitiesfueledthescientificrationaletosolvesocialproblemsthroughtechniquesofquantification.
Onestudyofhomosexualityfromthisperiodcombinedtheclinical

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casehistorymethodwithscientificmethodsinaveryinterestingfashion.Itwasconductedinthelate1930sinNewYorkCityundertheauspicesoftheCommitteefor
theStudyofSexVariants,agroupmadeupoftwentybiologicalandsocialscientists,anddoctorsfromvariousspecialtyareas(Henry1941).Thesubjectsofthe
studyincludedfortylesbiansandfortyhomosexualmenwhovolunteeredtobeinterviewedandtobeexaminedphysicallyingreatdetailbyallkindsofdifferent
doctors,includingsurgeonsandgynecologists.
OneofthemostinterestingfacetsofthestudyformypurposesisthatitwaslargelymadepossiblebythevolunteerworkofalesbiannamedMissJanGay,whowasa
freelancejournalistandnovelistandpartoftheGreenwichVillagelesbiansceneinthe1920sand1930s.Duringthe1920s,GaytraveledtoEuropelookingfor
informationabouthomosexuality.Inadditiontothemanylibrariessheconsulted,JanGayvisitedMagnusHirschfeldsInstituteandgatheredinformationabouthowto
conductasurveyaboutsexuality,includingwhatkindsofquestionstoask.Sheputhernewknowledgetowork,interviewingsome300lesbiansinParis,London,
Berlin,andNewYork.Thissamplesurvey,whichwasbasedonaquestionnairesheadaptedfromHirschfeld,formedthemethodologicalbasisforthestudy
conductedbytheSexVariantCommitteeduringthe1930s.Theinterviewquestionnaireaskedaseriesofquestionsaboutthesubjectsfamilybackgroundand
ancestors,childhoodexperiences,heradultexperiences,sexualdesires,andopinionsaboutsocietysattitudetowardhomosexuality.Inaddition,theprotocolfor
researchincludedvariousphysicalexaminationsdesignedtodetermineanyphysicalfeatureswhichdistinguishedhomosexualsfromthegeneralpopulation.
Howcouldthesubjectshavesaidyestoscienceinthisway?Itisimpossibletodeterminewithcertaintywhatspecificallymotivatedeachoftheeightysubjectstobe
interviewedandexaminedbydoctors.ButIdoknowthattheywerenotcoerced,atleastnotinanysimpleway.Theyreceivednomoneynordidtheygetanyspecial
favorsinreturnfortheirparticipation.Thisputtheminadifferentpositionfrominvoluntarysubjectsofotherscientificstudiesforexample,mentalpatients,prisoners,
parolees,potentialarmyrecruits,soldiers,andreformschoolinmateswhowereforced,moreorless,tocomplywiththedemandsofprobingexperts.
Whatrewardwasofferedthesexvariantsubjects,ifnotmoneyorspecialfavorsandprivileges?Whydidtheytalktopsychiatristsandallowdoctorstoprobeand
measurethem?Thereareseveralpossibleexplanations.Clearly,JanGaywascrucialingettingtheeightysubjectsforthisstudybecauseshewaspartofahomosexual
subcultureinNewYorkatthetime.ManyofthesesubjectswereacquaintancesandfriendsofJanGayand,asafavortoher,agreedtotakepartinthestudy.
Beyondthatsimple

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fact,thepsychiatristwhoauthoredthevolumecompilingthecasehistories,assuredreadersthatmostofthesubjectsagreedtoparticipateinthestudybecausethey
believeditwouldadvancethecauseofsocialtolerancetowardlesbiansandgaymen.Indeed,thismotivationwasmorethanmereconscientiousdutynodoubtit
inspiredmanyofthesubjectstoavowhomosexualityasadesirablealternativetoheterosexuality.Andtheywereabletointerveneinthetermsofhomosexual
representationatoneofitsmostpowerfulpointsofgenerationmedicoscientificdiscourse.
Buttheseexplanationsalonefailtocapturethecomplexityofhowmedicoscientificdiscoursecametobeanavenueofselfenunciationforthesepeoplewhoinmany
wayshadphysiciansandscientiststothankfortheirsocialstigmatization.Perhapsinadditiontorelyinguponsciencetodefendthem,thesubjectsvolunteeredtobe
studiedbecausetheybelievedthattheymightalsolearnsomethingvaluableaboutthemselvesintheprocess.Andtheymighthavealsobelievedthatbeingstudiedby
scientistswasawayofbecomingvisiblewithinthelargersociety.
Aroundthesametimethisresearchwasbeingdone,AlfredKinseyandhisteamofresearcherswerebusyattemptingtosurveysexualbehaviorinthegeneral
population.Kinseysvoluminousstudiespublishedinthelate1940sandearly1950swerededicatedtodiscoveringthetruthaboutsexualbehaviorthroughboth
qualitativeandquantitativemethods(1948,1953).HisworkisimportanttoplaceinthehistoryofscientificstudiesofhomosexualitypreciselybecauseKinseydidnot
singleouthomosexualpeopleforstudy.Instead,heattemptedtogiveacompletepictureoftherangeandfrequencyofsexualpracticesthroughoutsociety,arguing
thatpreviousstudiesofhomosexualityweredeeplyflawedbecausetheypresumedthehomosexualtobeapsychicallyandsomaticallydistincttypeofperson.
Kinseysemphasiswasonbehavior,nomatterwhattheselfidentificationofthosewhopracticedit.Nordidhecareaboutthepsychologicalmotivationsforwhy
peoplebehavedthewaytheydid.Subsequently,hesoughttoremovehomosexualityfromthestigmaofmedicaldiagnoses,havingdemonstratingthatitwascommonly
practicedthroughoutthepopulation.Kinseysresearchopenedupaspaceforthinkingabouthomosexualpracticeaswidespreadandnatural.And,alongwith
demolishingtheideathathomosexualityispracticedonlybyadistincttypeofperson,Kinseysworkpowerfullydisruptedascientifictraditionoflookingforsignsof
homosexualityincertainbodiesalthoughonlymomentarily.
ImmediatelyfollowingthepublicationofKinseysresearch,anumberofveryviciousbookswerewrittenmainlyformassaudiencesbypsychiatristsand
psychoanalystswhovehementlyopposedKinseysclaimthat

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homosexualitywasnaturalandwidespreadinthepopulation.Theyusedcasehistoriesofhomosexualmentalpatientstoarguethatlesbianismandmalehomosexuality
wereindeedmorbidpathologicalconditions(Bergler1958,1959BerglerandKroger1954).Symptomsincludedimmaturity,deception,andeventreason,making
thehomosexualjustasdangeroustothenationssecurityasthetreacherouscommunist.DeeplyhomophobicpsychiatristslikeEdmundBerglerweremorethanwilling
toconcedethathomosexualitywasnotabiologicallybasedcondition,butadiseasedlifestylethatshouldbesubjecttopsychotherapy.InhisbookHomosexuality:
DiseaseorWayofLife,Berglerarguedthathomosexualswereasmall,psychoticgroupofpeople,andthatitwasonlybecausehomosexualityhadbeenglamorized
thatthesemaladjustedandselfindulgentpeoplegravitatedtowardit(1956).Bergler,alongwithFrankCaprioandIsaacBieber,producedwhatwemightcallthe
xenophobicColdWartextsattackinghomosexualityasapsychologicalconditionthatthreatenedthesecurityofthefamilyandthenation.Ahostoftreatmentsandso
calledaversiontherapiesweredevisedtotreatthetreacherousmalady(Caprio1955LondonandCaprio1950Bieber1965Socarides1968).Evenwhilethey
arguedthatthebodyandbiologyhadnothingtodowithhomosexuality,thesemenattemptedtosingleoutthehomosexualasapathologicaltypeofperson,andthus
toallaysocialanxietiesunleashedbyKinseysfindingsofwidespreadhomosexualpractice.ButitwasagainstthishostileandspeculativepsychoanalysisthatAlfred
Kinseywasabletoappearasacareful,unbiased,andmethodologicallysoundscientistamongthoseintheearlyhomophileorganizations.
Intheireyes,Kinseystoodoutastheheroand,ofcourse,theultimatetruthtellerbasedonthebeliefthatstatisticsdidntlie,andthatthedocumentedfrequencyof
homosexualbehaviorinthepopulationmeantthatitwasbothnaturalandnormal.Intheemergenthomophilediscourseofthelate1940s,onecanheartheappealof
socialscientifictechniquesofstatisticalanalysiswhichrenderedabroaderandinthemindsofmanyamoreaccuratepictureofhomosexuality.Thiswas
accompaniedbyexplicitoppositiontopatientbasedpsychoanalyticormedicalstudies.HomophileactivistsintheMattachineSocietyandDaughtersofBilitis(DOB)
arguedthat,foronething,thefamouspsychiatricstudiesofBerglerandothersdrewtheirconclusionsabouthomosexualityfrommentalpatientsorpeoplewhowere,
insomeotherway,maladjustedtosociety.Homophileactivistsarguedthatscientistsshouldstudyhomosexualswhowerenotpatientsandwhowereadjustedinevery
otherway.Ofcourse,thiscarriedwithitavalorizationofassimilationism,andadependencyuponsciencetoarticulatepoliticalclaimsformainstreamtoleranceof
homosexuality.

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Thehomophileembraceofsocialsciencepromotedtwomainpoints.First,itsoughttoarguethathomosexualswerenot,bydefinition,sick.Infact,itstressedthat
homosexualswereaveragepeople,justlikeeveryoneelse.Obviouslythisemphasisbankedonsocialconformityandresultedinthehomogenizationofdifferences
amonghomosexualsintoamodeloftheperfectadjustedhomosexual.Secondly,thehomophileinterestinscientificallygeneratedstatisticalsurveyswasrelatedto
arguingthathomosexualsrepresentedaminority,butasubstantialone,worthyofsomerecognitionforitssocialandculturalcontributions.Scientificsurveysbecamea
strategyforvisibility.Infact,theDaughtersofBilitisstatedoneofitsfoundationalprinciplestobethegatheringanddisseminationofauthoritativeandreliable
informationaboutlesbians.Forthistheysoughttheexpertiseofsympatheticpsychiatristsandsocialscientists.
Gradually,byabout1963,itispossibletotracetheemergenceofasplitbetweenvariouschaptersoftheMattachineSocietyandDOBoverthequestionofhow
importantitwastohavescientificstudiesconductedabouthomosexuality.Itisinterestingtonotethatnoonewasparticularlyinfavorofbiologicalormedicalresearch
onhomosexualityatthismoment.ThisconsensusfitswiththatofthegeneralpublicatthetimewhenthehorrorsofNazimedicinemadeheadlinenews,andthewhole
ideaofbiologicalexplanationsforsocialinequalitywerecominginforharshcriticism.FrankKameny,agaymanandanastrophysicistwhofoughtagainstthe
homosexualpurgesfromtheU.S.governmentduringthe1950s,arguedinthepagesoftheDOBpublication,TheLadder,thatspendingsomuchtimeandenergyon
scientificandpsychologicalresearchwasawasteoftimeforhomosexuals(1965).Kamenyarguedthatmostofexistingscientificstudieslackedrigorandreliedonan
unsupportedassertionthathomosexualsweresickordefective.Tocounterthisassertion,heinsistedonamilitantpositionthatrefusedthenotionthatlesbiansandgay
menweresick,andarguedthatitwastimetofightforhomosexualrightsandforhomosexualstospeakforthemselves,ratherthantakingthemeekpositionofhoping
thatdoctorsandscientistswouldfindhomosexualsnormalenough.TheonlyscientificstudiesKamenycondonedwerethosethathelpedlesbiansandhomosexualmen
tounderstandtheirownworldsandlivesbetter,notthosewhichweremeanttopersuadethegeneralpublicorotherexpertsthathomosexualsshouldbetolerated.
FlorenceConrad,chairoftheDOBresearchcommittee,counteredKamenyseditorial,arguingthatlesbiansandhomosexualmenneededtohavetheirexperiences
translatedbyscientistssothatotherscientistsandthelaypublicwouldlistenwithinterestandbepersuadedthatbeinggaywasokay.ForConrad,militantaction
wouldonlyallowthemtoignoreandmarginalizehomosexuals.Instead,sherecommendedacarefulcourseofcooperation.

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Conradhadagreatdealoffaith,particularlyinthevirtuesandpossibilitiesofsocialscientificinvestigations(1965).
Then,in1972,DelMartinandPhyllisLyonpublishedLesbian/Woman,whichtheydescribeasasubjectiveaccountoflesbianism(1972).Intheirintroduction,they
explicitlysetouttorecuperatetheexperiencesoflesbiansfromthedistortionsofmostmedicalandscientificaccounts.MartinandLyonclaimedtohaveproduced
neitheratrueconfessionnorascientificbook,butonethatwaswrittenfromsubjectiveexperience.Theyaffirmedthebookaspartisan,notonlyrejectingtheideaof
objectivityandscientificneutrality,butalsomakingtheargumentthatlesbiansmustspeakintheirownterms,notthroughthosesetoutintheexpertsframeworks.But
oneofthethingsthatismostinterestingtomeaboutLesbian/Woman,afoundationaltextoflesbianfeminism,ishowmuchit,inmanyrespects,resemblesprevious
socialscientificsurveysandearlypsychiatriccasehistoriesproducedasaresultofvoluntarylesbianparticipationinstudies.Onecanidentifyasimilarityinthe
discursivestructureofthesubjectsselfdescriptionsreportedinLesbian/WomanandthoseoftheearlypsychiatricinterviewswhichwerepartoftheSexVariant
studyfromthe1930s.AgainwefindthearticulationofquestionsoftheselfWhatamI?HowdidIcometobethisway?HowandwhyamIdifferent?Is
theresomethingwrongwithme?Hencelesbianfeministdiscoursetookonsomeofthesamequestionsraisedearlierbymedicalandscientificdiscoursesthat
conflatedhomosexualitywithpathology.Thistime,however,thesequestionsprovidedthemeansforexplicitlygeneratingacounterdiscoursewhichreplacedscientific
authoritywithanew,authenticthingcalledpersonalexperienceinordertoclaimthathomosexualitywashealthy.Anypathologysurroundingitwascausedbysocial
prejudiceandhomophobicandsexisthostility.
WhithertheHomosexualBody?
Whatwashappeningtothescientificsearchforhomosexualityinthebodyduringthistime?Earlierstudiesfromthe1930saimedatdeterminingdistinctsomatic
featuresofhomosexualsforthemostpartfailedtoproduceanysuchevidence.Mostofthemfocusedontheoverallphysicalstructureofbodies,measuringskeletal
features,pelvicanglesandthingslikemuscledensityandhairdistribution.Theyhypothesizedthathomosexualswouldshowphysicalcharacteristicsoftheopposite
sex,butnonecouldprovideconclusiveevidenceofthis.Furthermore,endocrinologicalstudiesfromthefirstpartofthiscenturyreliedoncrudemethodsandwere
entirelyunsuccessfulintheirattemptstolinkhomosexualitywithspecifichormonalactivity.Butthesefailuresbynomeansputtorestthe

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hopeoffindinginnatebiologicalmarkersofhomosexuality.Beginningintheearly1960s,agrowingnumberofhormonalexperimentswereconductedonbothrodents
andnonhumanprimatesaspartofarenewedattempttodeterminetheeffectsofhormonesonsexualbehavior,andespeciallytofindalinkbetweenhormonalactivity
andhomosexuality.Generallyitwas(andisstill)believedthattherodentsexualbehaviorismorethoroughlydictatedbyhormonalfactorssoratsandmicewereused
toisolatetheeffectsofcastrationandhormonalinjections,andtodeveloptheoriesabouttheoriginsofsexualorientationinthewombandinearlyinfancy.
Extrapolatingfromrodentexperiments,scientistGunterDornerdrewontheresearchofformerNaziscientist,KonradLorenz,tohypothesizethathomosexualmen
hadhigherlevelsofestrogenandlowerlevelsoftestosteronethandidheterosexualmenbecausetheyhadnoticedthatinmice,maleswhowerecastratedatanearly
agetendedtoexhibitfemaletypicalbehavior(i.e.,theypresentedthemselvestobemounted)(Dorneretal.1975,1983Lorenz1950,1966).Similarly,homosexual
behaviorinfemalemicewasbelievedtobetheresultofhigherlevelsofandrogeninthemotherswomb.Implicitlydefininghumanhomosexualityasamatterofgender
inversion,Dornerassumedthatthehumananalogtothecastrated,effeminizedmalemousewasthegayman.Theideathatgaymencommonlymountothermen
mountingbeingthesignifierofmaletypicalbehaviorinratswasneverreckonedwithinthesestudies.Toappropriatetheparlanceofsadomasochism,forthemale
rat,homosexualitymeantbeingabottomforthefemalerat,itmeantplayingtop.
Scientistsconductingthesehormonalexperimentsconjecturedthathomosexualitywasacongenitalcondition,originatingintheearlieststagesofdevelopment,and
arrestingthenaturalmaturationprocessofthemalesothatitbehavedmorelikethespeciestypethatis,morelikeafemale.Incontrast,femaleoffspringshoweredby
stormsofandrogensinthewombwouldfalselymaturebeyondtheirprimarystatustodevelopmasculinecharacteristics(Downeyetal.1987EllisandAmes1987
Griffithsetal.1974MeyerBahlburg1979,1984Money1987).Somepsychiatriststookakeeninterestinthistypeofresearchasawayofaccountingforsissy
boysandtomboys(Friedmanetal.1977FriedmanandStern1980Green1987Stoller1987).Manyacknowledgedthathormonalactivitycouldbeinfluencedby
theenvironmentandfamilyrelations.But,toagreatdegree,theybiologizedtheprocessofpsychosexualdevelopmenttoemphasizethatsexualorientationisdeeply
embeddedinthebodyfromanearlyageperhapsaresulteitherofageneticpredispositiontohormonalanomaliesortheoutcomeofmaternalstressthatsubverted
theprocessesbywhichmaleandfemaleembryosnormallydevelop.
Interestingly,duringthelate1960sand1970s,thiskindofresearchwas

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roundlycriticizedforlackingscientificrigoraswellasforitspretensionstoexplaincomplexhumanrelationsinbiologicallyreductiveterms.Duringthisperiod,
feminists,Marxists,andliberalsdecriedattemptstoexplainsocialdifferencesandinequalitiesintermsofbiology.Hormonalresearchinvolvinghumansubjectswas
seenbymanyasdownrightghoulish,reminiscentofNazimedicineandfundamentallyretrogradebecauseitdefinedhomosexualityasanabnormalconditionordefect.
Toagreatdegree,amongliberalsandradicals,scientificprojectstodiscoverthebiologicalbasisofhomosexualitywereregardedwithnolessdisdainthanmedical
effortstotreathomosexualityasamentaldisorder.Feministsandgayliberationistswereamongthemostvocalcriticsofbiologicaldeterminism.
Atthispoint,inthe1990s,Iaminterestedinaskinghowandwhy,morethantwentyyearslater,scientificresearchfocusedonthebodyisnowbeingwelcomed
amongsomegaymenandlesbiansasameansforunderstandingourselvesbetterandfordefendingourselvesagainstgrowinghomophobichostility.Itisntthatthe
scientificinterestinfindinghomosexualityinthebodyeverreallywentawaybutwhyisnewresearchonthebiologyofhomosexualitybeingembracedbycertaingay
organizationsandindividuals?Whathasmadethisshiftinthinkingpossible?
WhereAreWeToday?
Idliketotakeamomenttojuxtaposetwoboldquotes,onefrom1973,theotherfrom1993,toillustrateapointaboutthesignificantshiftinthinkingconcerningthe
placeofbiologyinconstructinglesbianandgaysubjectivitiesandpoliticalidentities.In1973,AnneKoedtarticulatedacommontenetamongradicallesbianfeminists
atthattime:Basictothepositionofradicalfeminismistheconceptthatbiologyisnotdestiny,andthatmaleandfemalerolesarelearnedindeedthattheyaremale
politicalconstructsthatensurepowerandsuperiorstatusformen(Koedt1973).Twentyyearslater,inMarchof1993,gayjournalist,ChandlerBurr,inacover
pagearticleinTheAtlanticMonthlyassertedaverydifferentposition,andonethatseemstobeoblivioustoeitherradicalorfeministcritiquesofbiological
determinism:
Homosexualitysinvitationtobiologyhasbeenstandingforyears.Homosexualshavelongmaintainedthatsexualorientation,farfrombeingapersonalchoiceorlifestyle(asitis
oftencalled),issomethingneitherchosennorchangeableheterosexualswhohavemadetheirpeacewithhomosexualshaveoftendonesobyacceptingthatpremise.

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Theverytermsexualorientation,whichinthe1980sreplacedsexualpreference,assertsthedeeplyrootednatureofsexualdesireandlove.Itimpliesbiology.(Burr1993)

MaybeChandlerBurriscorrectinreportingtheperspectivesofsomegaymeninestablishingbiologicalexplanationsforhomosexuality,andbeseechingscientiststo
studyusmore.ButBurrsassertionstagesafalseconsensusonthematteramonglesbiansandgaymen.Somegaymensnarrativesofhavingalwaysfeltthisway
areverypowerfulindeedatthesubjectivelevel.Andtheycanalsoperformtherhetoricalfunction(albeitfundamentallydefensive)oftellinghomophobestofuckoff.
ButIthinkitisimportanttonotethatmanywomen,inparticular,feelagreatdealofambivalenceaboutgroundingidentityandpersonalnarrativesinbiological
differencesincebiologicalexplanationshavebeendeployedhistoricallytokeepwomeninasubordinatepositiontomen.Likewisethereisconsiderableresistance
amongmanylesbiansandgaysofcolortotheideathathomosexualityisbiologicallybased,againbecausebiologicalexplanationshavebeenlargelyintheserviceof
marginalizingcertaingroupsdefinedasnaturallyinferiortowhitemen(Hammonds1993).
Perhapsitwouldbeusefultotakealookatthelargerculturalandhistoricalcontextoutofwhichthisnewbiologicalevidenceofhomosexualityisemerginginorderto
makesenseofthisshiftfromradicalfeminismin1973togayrightspoliticsinthe1990s.Itstrikesmethatthereareseveralkeyculturalandpoliticaldevelopmentsthat
makethe1990saverydifferentplacetobethanthe1970s.Tobegin,letsconsidersomeofthechangesintherelationofscientificknowledgetosocietygenerally,
andthentrytoanalyzehowthesepositionlesbians,gaymen,andqueerstoday.
Wearelivingnowintheageofthemagicalsignofthegene.Thereisagreatdealofhoperidingonthisholygrailofthelatetwentiethcentury.Scientistspromisethat
ifwecanfigureouttheexactfunctionandlocationofgeneswithinthehumanbody,thehumanpopulationcouldberidofdiseasesanddefects.Andevenmore
compelling,knowledgeofgeneticsismarketedasanavenueforselfknowledgeknowledgeofourproficiencies,ourpossibilities,ourlimits,ourhistoriesandour
futures.WearetoldbyscientistsworkingontheHumanGenomeProjectthatgenescanexplaintouswhoweareatthemostfundamentallevelofDNA.Lobbyists
fortheHumanGenomeProject(withitspresentannualbudgetof$135million)marketthisnewManhattanProjectontheonehand,asameanstobothunify
humansasapopulationsharingmanygenetictraits,andontheother,asameansofmakingdistinctionsbetweentypesofpeople.Nodoubt,thislatteroptionoffers
greatappealamonginsurance

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companiesandemployerswhowouldliketobeabletobedenycoveragetothosewhohavepreexisting(i.e.,geneticdispositionsto)diseases.Likewise,people
likeFrederickGoodwin,headoftheNationalInstitutesofMentalHealth,areinterestedinlocatingthegeneticandneurochemicalbasesforviolence,andproposethe
screeningofinnercitychildrenwhoseemedtobeincorrigibletoseeiftheirbodieshousetheevilseed.Geneticexplanationsforsocialinequalitiesareextremely
attractiveinatimewhenthewelfarestateisindeclineandthebrutalityofpovertydiminishesthelifeexpectancyofanentiregenerationofchildrenofcolorlivinginour
cities.
Thepromisesofgeneticsaregrandiose.Notonlywilltheworldberidofdisease,butknowledgeofgeneticswillhelpustomaximizebiologicalresourcesatamoment
offearoverglobalagriculturalscarcity.ForAmericans,geneticresearchpromisestodoevenmorethanfortifyourhumanandnaturalresources:itpromisestosave
oureconomyinthefaceoffierceglobalcompetition,acampaignheadedupbyDanQuayle.Biotechnologyistothe1990swhatnuclearweaponsdevelopmentwas
tothe1960stheputativeguarantorofAmericaseconomicandpoliticalinfluenceoverthedestinyoftheplanet.Nevermindthatmetanationalcorporationsdealing
inbiotechnologyandgeneticresearchwillbesellingourgenesbacktousoncetheyisolateandpatentkeyfragments.
Imentionthemagicalsignofthegeneanditspoliticaleconomybecauseoverthepastseveralyearstwoscientificteamshavereportedageneticbasisfor
homosexuality.Inlate1991,psychologistMichaelBaileyandpsychiatristRichardPillardreportedthatamongtheidenticaltwinstheystudied,abouthalfidentified
themselvesaseithergayorbisexual.Asmallerfigureofabouttwentytwopercentofgeneticallyrelatedbrotherstheystudiedwerebothgayorbisexual,andaneven
smallernumberofaboutelevenpercentofthosewhowereraisedasbrothersthroughadoptionandthuswhowerenotrelatedgeneticallyidentifiedthemselvesas
eithergayorbisexual.Evenwiththesemeagerfindings,theheadlinescriedout:ScientistsFindThatHomosexualityisGenetic.BaileyandPillardsresearchwasfull
ofmethodologicalproblemstoonumeroustorecounthere.Butthemosttroublingwasthattheygavenoexplanationastohowtheywereusingormeasuringtheterm
sexualorientation.Thecategoriesofhomosexual,heterosexual,andbisexualweretakenonfacevalueasthesubjectsdefinedthemselves,asifwe(orthey)allagree
onthemeaningsoftheseterms.Furthermore,thestudywasnotbaseduponrandomsamplingtechniquesbutrecruiteditssubjectsthroughgaynewspapers,thus
effectivelyweedingoutmenwhomayengageinhomosexualityfromtimetotimebutdonotreadgaymagazinesorwouldbeloathetoanswersuchanadvertisement.
Becausetheresearchrequiredthecooperation

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ofthegaysubjectsbrothers,italsoweededthosemenwhowerenotoutoftheclosettotheirfamiliesorwhocamefromhomophobicfamilieswithbrotherswho
wouldneveragreetobepartofsuchastudy.Usingthesameproblematicmethods,thelaterstudyoffemaleidenticaltwinsproducedvirtuallythesamestatistical
findings(Bailey,Pillardetal.
1993).Butevenwiththeseproblemsofmethodandconjecture,bothstudiesweretoutedasevidenceforageneticbasisforhomosexualitybecausetheconcordance
rateforsexualorientationwashigherinidenticaltwins,orthosewhosharedthesamegeneticmaterial.Eachpairofidenticaltwinswasrearedtogetherandyetno
methodwasusedfordeterminingtheinfluenceofsocialenvironmentandfamilialrelationsonsexualorientation.Toaddtothemethodologicalweaknessesofthe
study,agoodhalfoftheidenticaltwinsdidnotshowconcordanceforsexualorientation.
Itisinterestingtonotethatneitheroftheresearchersinvolvedinthesocalledgaytwinsstudiesweregeneticistsormolecularbiologists,inspiteofthemedia
representationsofthem.ThetwinstudiesresearcherstookneithertissuenorbloodsamplesofsubjectstoanalyzetheDNAorgeneticmaterial.Instead,itwasonthe
basisofsubjectsselfidentificationthattheresearchersdeterminedthathomosexualitywasgenetic,butinnomorethanfiftypercentofthecases.Theactual
propertiesoftheparticipantsDNAdidnotevenenterintothediscussion.Nevertheless,themagicalsignofthegenewasinvokedtomakesenseofthisresearch,and
torepresenttheresearcherasanengagedscientist.Indeed,inthemediablitzsurroundingthisresearch,psychiatristRichardPillardwasfeaturedinNewsweekholding
themagicalobjectofhisstudy,amolecularmodel,mimickingthetraditionaliconographyofgreatmenofsciencefromCopernicustoWatsonandCrick,inspiteofthe
factthathisstudywasonlygeneticinthecrudestsenseoftheword(Gorman1991).Perhapsitwouldhavebeenmoreaccurateforhimtobeholdingacopyofa
gaynewspaperfromwhichhissubjectswererecruited.
Whatelsehasgoneoninscienceandcultureinthelasttwentyyearsmakingthisnewresearchonsexualorientationpossible?In1973,whenAnneKoedtmadeher
impassionedstatementdenouncingbiologyasdestiny,noonehadeverheardofAIDS.Sincethen,theAIDSepidemichasprofoundlyanddevastatinglytransformed
thenatureoflesbianandgaylifeintheUnitedStates.Ourrelationswithoneanother,ourunderstandingsofourselves,oursenseofsexualpossibilities,andourideas
aboutpoliticalmobilizationhaveundergonemassivetransformationsinthefaceofthisdeadlyvirusandthesocialneglectandhomophobiccontemptthathave
accompaniedit.Ourbodiesareboundupinmedicaldiscourseandpractices,onceagain,butthistimeundernew,urgent,and

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Figure7.1.RichardPillardwiththefetishofthemolecule.

deadlyconditions.Andthesenewconditionsproducenewwaysofimaginingthebodyinrelationtosubjectivity.Itisnotsurprisingthattheprivilegeddomainofthe
bodywhereourinnermostsecretsandsexualpassionsarethoughttoresideisbeingimaginedasasourceofmeaningsinthefaceofthissocialatrocity.Thesedays,
evenastheyaretheoreticallyandmateriallydisintegrating,weimagineourbodiesasapointoforiginforexploringcontemporaryandverypressingquestionsofthe
self.NeuroscientistSimonLeVaysownstoryofwhatcompelledhimtoundertakeresearchonsexualorientationisataleofgrieving,oftryingtomakesenseof
himselfasagaymaninthefaceofdeepdepressionaboutthelossofhislovertoAIDS.Byhisownaccount,LeVaysshiftinfocusfromworkontheneuroanatomyof
visiontotheneuroanatomyofsexandsexualorientationwasacrucialpartofhisrecoveryprocess(LeVay1993Dolce1993).
Andthereisamorepalpable,materialrelationshipbetweentheepidemicandmuchofthisnewresearch.Indeed,AIDSprovidedLeVaywiththeverybraintissuehe
usedtoconducthisresearchonthehypothalamus(1991).ItwasmenwhodiedofAIDSwhoconstitutedtheoverwhelmingmajorityofhissubjectpopulation,andit
wastheirautopsiedbraintissueheusedtoproducehisdistinctionbetweenthecategoriesofhomosexualandheterosexualuponwhichhisfindingsarebased.What
wasthebasisLeVayusedfordeterminingwhichtissuebelongedtohomosexualand

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whichtoheterosexualmen?AsinglelineinthesubjectsmedicalchartsstatinghismodeofHIVtransmissionbecamethegroundsforclassifyingamanaseithergayor
not.Thosewhosechartsindicatedthemodeoftransmissionwasmaletomalesexualcontactweredefinedasgay,andthosewithothermodesoftransmission(IV
druguse,bloodtransfusions,etc.)were,bydefault,presumedtobeheterosexual.Ofcourse,theseothercasesmightjustaswellhavebeenmenwhooccasionally
engagedinhomosexualsexbutwhoreportedadifferentmodeoftransmissionforwhateverreasons.Inotherwords,thejourneyofthehumanimmunodeficiencyvirus
wasreliedupontoaccountforthecomplexityofthesemenssexualsubjectivitiesinamasterfulinstanceofscientificreductivism.Wereitnotfortheearlydeathsof
gaymenthroughHIVinfection,togetherwiththeensuingepidemiologicalprotocolofdocumentingmodesoftransmissioninonesmedicalchart,LeVaysstudycould
nothavebeenconducted.MymainpointhereisthatAIDSprovidedtheactualbodiesforthehypothalamusstudy,anditprovidedawaytoclassifythosebodies.It
alsoprovidedtheimpetusforSimonLeVaytorecoverfromhisdepressionthroughthehealingpowerofneuroscientificresearch,duringwhatGeorgeBush(the
presidentwhobroughtusDanQuayle)officiallyproclaimedtheDecadeoftheBrain.
AIDSalsomadepossiblethenowfamouschromosomalstudyreportedinJulyof1993(Hameretal.1993).ResearchersattheNationalCancerInstitute(NCI)
reportedthediscoveryofDNAmarkerslinkingmalehomosexualitywitharegionontheXchromosome,thechromosomeboysgetfromtheirmothers(promptingthe
facetioustshirtIsawatthegaybeachinProvincetownlastsummer:Loveyou,Mom.Thanksforthegenes.).Unlikethetwinsstudies,thisoneactuallydidinvolve
bloodsamplesbut,again,reliedmainlyontheselfreportingofgayvolunteerswhorecountedagreaternumberoflesbiansandgaymenontheirmotherssideofthe
familythantheirfathers.AlthoughitwasnodoubtcoloredbythefactthatingeneralinAmericanculture,manyofusknowmuchmoreaboutourmothersfamilythan
ourfathers,thisselfreportingledresearcherstolookforthemarkerofhomosexualityonthatgiftfrommom,theXchromosome.Thisstudy,liketheothersbeforeit,
wasnotbasedonrandomsamplingsothereisnowayofknowinghowoftenthismarkerexistsamongmenwhopracticehomosexualityoftenorseldom,butwould
neveridentifyasgay.ButtherelationshipofthisstudytotheAIDSepidemicisworthyofnote:themoneyusedtofundthisresearchhadbeenearmarkedforNCI
researchonKaposisSarcoma(KS)andlymphoma,twooftheHIVrelatedopportunisticconditionsthatappearmoreofteninmen,regardlessoftheirsexual
orientation,thaninwomen.Basically,theNationalCancerInstituteoriginallywantedtofindoutwhethertherewere

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Figure7.2.SimonLeVaywiththefetishofthebrain.

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geneticfactorsinvolvedinthesusceptibilitytothesecancersbyfundingastudyonthegeneticmarkersforhomosexuality,theNCIessentiallypresumedtherewasa
biologicalrelationshipbetweenKS,lymphomaandmalehomosexualityratherthanconditionssufferedmoreoftenbyHIVinfectedmenofanysexualorientation
thanwomen.Inthismove,theNCIresearchersreiteratedperhapsinadvertentlytheideathatAIDSisagaydiseasethataffectsparticulartypesofpeoplewhoare
geneticallypredisposedtoit.AshistorianofmedicineEvelynnHammondshasnoted,researchersattheNCIandtheHumanGenomeProjecthavemoneytostudy
geneticpredispositionsnowtheyarelookingforproblemstosolve(1993).KSandhomosexualityarejusttwoofthoseproblems.
ThereisyetanotherwaythatAIDSfiguresintothisnewculturalandscientificcontext,andithastodowiththenatureofthecurrenthomophobicbacklashagainst
gaysandlesbians.RightwingChristianfundamentalistshavedeclaredthathomosexualityistothe1990swhatabortionwastothe1980s:theenemyinabattleof
moralcleansingtodeterminethefutureoftheworld.RecentlyIattendedalectureatOhioStateUniversitysponsoredbytheFellowshipofChristianStudentsentitled
GayAgony:CanHomosexualsBeHealed?Theguestspeaker,freshfromanappearanceonPatRobertsons700Club,beganhislecturebysayingthatthe
compulsivedisorderofhomosexualityhasbroughtAIDSintotheworld.Butitisnttoolatetochange,torecoverfromthiscompulsion,toturntoothersforfellowship
andguidance,andtoovercomethisdeeplyrootedsexualaddiction.Throughouttheentirelecture,homosexualityandAIDSwerevirtuallysynonymous.*The
presenceofsuchalectureillustratesacrucialpoint:AIDSprovidesarationaleforboththiskindofhomophobiaandagayrightsoppositiontoit.Indeed,thegood
Christianproclaimedthat,contrarytowhattheliberaldominatedmediasays,thereisnosoundglandular[sic]orgeneticevidenceoftheimmutabilityof
homosexuality.Beseechingly,herepeated,youcanchange,youcanchange.Itisinthefaceofthishostilehomophobia,dresseduplikeChristiancompassion,that
LeVaysandHamersNCIresearcharebeingproposedastoolsofpoliticalopposition.Butthelimitationsofthegayrightsthroughbiologydefensearestriking:
Biologymakesusactthisway.Wecantbecured.Wecantseduceyourchildren.Talkaboutsurpluspowerlessness(Minkowitz1993).
InadditiontoadecadeofgovernmentalneglectandindifferenceaboutAIDS,wearenowfacedwithagrowinggrassrootsbacklashofsignificantproportionsagainst
lesbiansandgaymen.Thepublicdisplaysofhomophobiabringrewardsthesedays:fromPatBuchanansselfsatisfiedhomophobia
*LesbianswerenowherementionedbuteverywhereimplicatedintheChristianFundamentalistconflationofhomosexualitywithdisease,moraldegeneracy,anddeath.

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atthe1992RepublicanConvention,totheofficiallysanctionedbrutalitytowardgaymenandlesbiansinthemilitary,tothestaggeringriseofhomophobicbashingsin
citystreets,tothesuspensionofchildcustodyforlesbianmothersaroundthecountry,tothelocalcampaignsagainstlesbianandgayantidiscriminationlaws:itisquite
clearthatlesbiansandgaymenaresurroundedbygrowingnumbersofenemies.Anditisinthesetimesofdefensivenessandoffeelingbeleagueredthatourbodies,
presentedtousthroughtheauthorityofscience,appeartoberefugesforstakingadesperateclaimfortolerance.Asiftheknowledgeofageneforhomosexuality
wouldstopthebashersclubfromcrashingdownonourheads.
Anidiosyncraticreadingofcivilrightslawprovidesthebackdroptowhyhopeisinvestedinthebiologicalproofofhomosexuality.Nowwehavegayscientistsand
somegayleadersarguingthathomosexualityisanimmutablecharacteristic,likerace,andthushomosexualsoughttobeprotectedfromdiscrimination.Whatastrange
andscientificallyunsupportednotionofrace.Andwhatastrangeandlimitedreadingofthecurrentstatusofracialminoritiesandofthegainsofthecivilrightsmove
mentwhich,afterall,focusingitseffortsongrassrootsactionsaswellaspublicmarchesanddemonstrations,reliedrelativelylittleonthecourtstodemandanendto
racism,andnotatallonvalorizingthebiologicalimmutabilityofrace.Thecivilrightsmovementwasmosteffectiveinthestreetsthroughvalorizingculturaldiversity,not
byAfricanAmericansbeggingtobeseenasbiologicallydifferent.Inthe1960s,biologicalargumentsaboutracehadlongbeenseenasthehandmaidensofracism,just
asthoseaboutgenderwereidentifiedtobeacentralpartofthearchitectureofsexism.
Theargumentforhomosexualimmutabilitybetraysamisreadingofthescientificresearchitself.Nothinginanyofthesestudiescanfullysupporttheideathat
homosexualityisbiologicallyimmutableeachstudyleavesopenthepossibilitythathomosexualityistheresultofacombinationofbiologicalandenvironmentalfactors,
andseveralsuggestthathomosexualitymaybetiedtoapredispositionintemperamentthatcouldmanifestinanumberofways(LeVay1993LeVayandHamer
1994).Allagreethatbiological,social,andpsychologicalfactorsinteracttoproduceandchangethesignsofhomosexuality.Furthermore,thesestudiescannot
commenteffectivelyonthefrequencyofhomosexualityinthegeneralpopulation.Nordotheyoffermuchinthewayofunderstandingwomenscomplexrelationshipto
questionsofsexualityingeneral,letalonesexualorientation,growingupinaculturewherealmosteverysexualactisputofflimitsaspotentiallydamagingtoones
femininereputation.Itissmallwonderwhymanylesbiansstoriesabouttheirownhomosexualdesirearenotlodgedinaprenatalmomentnoreveninearlychildhood
whenboys

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firsttastetheprivilegeofexclusiveprerogativeoversexualexpression.Moreoften,lesbiansdescribetheirhomosexualityasoriginatinginaprocessoffeminist
politicizationorinthecontextofanadultsituationwheretheybegantorecognizeadesiretodesireotherwomen.
SometimesIthinkthisnewaffinityandhopeinvestedinthebiologyofhomosexualityistheswansongofeconomicallycomfortablewhitemen(quietlylipsynchedby
straight,politicallyliberalessentialists)whoaretheonlyoneswhoknowthelyricstoeachverse,andwho,butfortheirhomosexualdesire,havemanyreasonsto
regardscienceandsocialorderwithgreataffection.Maybebiologyisamorecomfortingwaytonarratetheirdesiresthantomakesenseofthemintermsofcultural
andhistoricalcontradictions,conflicts,andcontingencies.
Iwanttoclosebycomingbacktothequestionoftherelationshipbetweenscientificknowledgeandsexualsubjectivity.Ihavetriedtosuggestthat,throughoutthis
century,thenatureofthisrelationshiphasbeenaspoliticalasithasbeenpersonal.Thatis,differentqueerpeoplehavethoughtaboutscientificknowledgeindifferent
kindsofways,somemorelikelytobesweptupbyitspromisesandreassurancesthanothers.Theirpersonalstakeshavevaried.AndeachoftheepisodesI
describedhere,includingthepresent,scientificinquiryabouthomosexuality,ispoliticallysituatedinrelationtoculturalanxieties.Onewaytoshoreupanxietieshas
beentoinsistthattherebeadefinitivelinedrawnbetweennormalheterosexualsanddiseased(or,ifwearelucky,merelyanomalous)homosexuals.Thisisthe
dynamicinrelationtowhichdeviantsubjectivityhasbeenlargelybutnotthoroughlyfashioned.Thuswecanreadtherecentscientificstudies,producedby
professionalgayactivistslikeLeVayandPillard,asexpressionsofakindofseparatismthatfindspowerthroughclaimingbiologicaluniqueness(Pillard1992Dolce
1993).Theideaofbiologybeingdestinyislesschilling,andperhapsevenliberating,tothesegayscientists.Indeed,takingintoconsiderationwhatDonnaHaraway
hasnotedgenerallyandwhatEvelynFoxKellerhaspointedoutinreferencetomolecularbiologists,Ibelievewewoulddowelltorecognizethatscientistsgay,
straight,orotherwisehaveanintimaterelationshiptoanewlyimaginednatureinthelaboratoryinthisfinaldecadeofthelatetwentiethcentury(Haraway1991,
1992Keller1992).Particularlyinthegeneticslaboratory,wheregenesareengineeredandbodiescanbeelementallyreconfigured,scientistsmayfeelthatnature
reallyismoreliberatingifonlybecauseitismoremanipulablethaneverbefore.Thissenseofanimatedandmanipulatednaturenodoubtacquiressomeofitsappeal
duetoitshistoricallocationinrelationtothedeclineofthewelfarestate.Suchadecline,experiencedintheaftermathofanti

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socialcynicismcharacteristicoftheReagan/Bushera,servestounderscoreasensethatthenurturesideofargumentsaboutcausalityandameliorationiseither
passormoot.Indeed,whatLeVayandHamerhaveincommonwiththeirscientificcriticsistheassumptionthatbiologyandenvironmentinteractinamutually
contingentandtransformingmanner.(Anditisimportanttonotethatthetermenvironmentisinclusiveofeverythingfrommundanebehavioralstimulitointerpsychic
familydynamics,toschoolingpatterns,tothecomplexitiesofsocioeconomicclass.)Thus,withthenewandincreasinglypopularinteractionistmodel,simple
biologicaldeterminismhasbeenreplacedbyamuchmorelivelyandslipperyunderstandingofnatureandcultureasmutuallydetermining,representingwhatsomehave
calledanewwaveofsociobiologyforthelate1990s.
Amongthosegaymenwhoareeconomicallyandsociallypowerfulintheworld,concedingthatnaturemakesthemgayisapparentlylessdamagingthanitmightseem
toworkingclassgayteenagers.Agaysocialworkerwhoworkswithsuicidalteenstoldmerecentlythatthebiologyisdestinylinecanbedeadly.Thinkingtheyare
afflictedwithhomosexualdesireasakindofdiseaseorbiologicaldefect,ratherthanitbeingadesiretheysomehowchoose,is,formanygayteenagers,onemore
reasontocommitsuicideratherthantoliveinaworldsohostiletotheirdesires(Aqueno1993).
InTheEpistemologyoftheCloset,EveSedgwickinvitesustodenaturalizethepresentandtocallintoquestionanyideathathomosexualityasweknowittoday
issingular,knowable,orunified.Instead,sheisinterestedintheperformativespaceofcontradictioninwhatcouldbeourpresentunderstandingsofhomosexuality
shewantstobringoutthemultiplicityofnarrativesofhomosexualityasweknowittoday(Sedgwick
1990).WhatwoulditmeanifhomosexualityasweknowittodaybecamereducedinthepopularimaginationtoastripofDNA,ortoaregionofthebrain,ortoa
hormonalcondition?Whatwouldweloseinthedefensivemovetobelievesciencetobeourrationalsaviorandtobaseourpoliticsinbiology?Whatdoessciencedo
forus?Whatdoesitdotous?Andwherecanweturnfornewquestionsoftheselfandnewwaysofperformingasopposedtobiologicallymanifesting
deviance?
Authorsnote
ThankstoJacquelineUrla,DonnaHaraway,DonnaPenn,EvelynnHammonds,CaroleVance,JeffreyEscoffier,PatriciaWhite,KayDiaz,CarolynDean,Sharon

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Ullman,LeslieCamhi,JudithHalberstam,andIraLivingstonforintellectualandpersonalinsightsthathelpedintheformationofthisanalysis.
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EIGHT
PhantomandReelProjections:
Lesbiansandthe(Serial)KillingMachine
CamillaGriggers
LizzieBordentookanax
Andgaveherfatherfortywhacks,
Whenshesawwhatshehaddone,
Shegavehermotherfortyone.
Depredatory:destructive,consuming,wasteful,deleterious
thatpreysuponotheranimals:creatureofpreyandits
organsofcapture.
Depredate:topreyupon,makepreyof,toconsumebywaste.
Depredation:theactionofmakingpreyof,plundering,ravaging
consumptionordestructivewasteofthesubstanceofanything
destructiveoperations.
Depredator:onewho,orthatwhich,preysuponormakesdepredations,
aplundereronewholayswaste.
O.E.D.

Deterritorializationsofthefeminineinpostmodernculturalformationscannotbeadequatelycalculatedwithoutsomeattempttomapthebreakdownsoccurringinthe
contemporarycollisioncoursebetweenthetwoconcurrentyetdistinctculturalflowsofbecomingwomanandbecomingdepredatory.HereImapthedynamicsofthat
collisioninregardspecificallytotheprocessofbecominglesbianinthepublicsphereandtothecorrespondingprocessofthepubliclesbianbecomingkilling
machine.
Becomingkillingmachinesuggeststhewaysinwhichposthumanmachinicassemblagesorganizeandregulatepredatoryfunctionswithincultureorbetweencultures.
IapplythetermmachinicinreferencetoDeleuzeandGuattaris(1987)notionofaposthumanmachinicphyluminwhichabstractexpressionmachineschannel
turbulentandselforganizingbehaviorinsocialsystemsthatincludematterflowaswellassignowinthesocialprocessofsubjectivization.
Thesexgendersystemonceprovidedexemptionforwomenfromimmediateparticipationinthestateauthorizedkillingmachinefrom

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ritualsacrificeinancientAztecculturetomilitaryorganizationsinmodernityexceptofcourseasvictimsorsupportmechanisms(suchasprostitutionforR&R,
intelligencegathering,dataprocessing,andcomputation,etc.).Iamnotsuggesting,then,thatwomenhavenotparticipatedindirectlyinthekillingmachinethroughout
thecenturies,throughallthewaysbywhichtheyprovidedcomponentbodiesfororcompliedwithregimesofstatepowerthatdependeduponregimesofviolencein
ordertooperate.Indeed,thefirstmilitarycomputersinthelatenineteenthcenturywereroomsfullofwomenoperatingcalculators,carryingoutthelargescale
computationsneededforballisticanalysis(DeLanda,41).
Butwellintothetwentiethcentury,thepredatorypositionitselfwashistoricallythoughtofasalwaysultimatelymale.DuringWorldWarII,however,womenbeganto
besystematicallyincorporatedwithinthewarmachinebyU.S.militaryrecruitmentthroughtheWomensArmyCorps.ChinaaftertheMaoistrevolutionalso
incorporatedwomenintothemilitary,evenatthelevelofgroundinfantry,asdidtheIsraelistateinthe1948WarofIndependenceandtheEritrearesistancein
Ethiopia.
Ibeginthenbynotingthattheemergenceofalesbianserialkillingmachineisoccurringpreciselyatatimewhenthestateisincontentionwithwomenoverabortion
practicesandcombatstatus,whilethemilitarysadvancedresearchgroupsareremovinghumansfromthedecisionmakingloopofadvancedpredatoryweapons
systems.Myopeningpremisehereisthattheinstanceofthelesbianserialkillerisnotanaberrationoffemininity,butthatitsignsanewsymptomatologyofnormative
femininitywhichweseeemerginginpostmodernity.
Inanepochmarkedbymassproducedfeticideandamilitarizedfeminine,itsnotsurprisingthatthecinematicscreenmachineisprojectingasymptomaticnightmare
imageforpublicconsumption:thewomanwhomurdersmorethanonce,incoldblood.Thesemiccodeorganizingthisculturalfigureishardlynew,however.Themyth
ofLizzieBordenprovidedaprototypeofthecontemporaryfemininepredatoremergingwithinthepopularimagerepertoireoflatenineteenthcenturyAmerica.While
inactualityBordenwasacquittedofmurdercharges(thecasehingedupontheprosecutionsinabilitytofindthemurderweaponandtheappealofprominentmembers
ofthecommunityonBordensbehalf),theBordenmythbothpopularizedthethreatofafemininepredatorysubjectandcontaineditwithintherubricoffamilial
crimesofhate(i.e.,patricideandmatricide)orwithintherubricofanasystematicpsychoticbreakwithintheindividual(i.e.,insanity).
WhiletheBordenmythremindsusthatthefemininepredatorisnotanewfigureinU.S.popularculture,italsohighlightsthesignifyingdifferencein1990siterationsof
thisoldtropeofdangerousfemininitythat

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differencebeingtheassociationofthefemininepredatorwithamanifesthomoeroticism.Itsmypremisehere,however,thatthenewqueermarkonthisoldpredatory
bodyscreensarepetitionthatisinactualitythemoretellingsignifierinthisstoryofsocialviolenceandgenderedidentityarepetitionthatpointsustowarda
contagionofsocialviolencessovastthatitisthreatening,asitisalwaysthreatening,toexceedtheconstativerationalizationsofournotionofabstractjustice.This
excessofjustice,whichisthesameassayingjusticesfailure,inregardtothelesbianspublicfacialitysymptomatizesafailuretoreifyasjustwhatisblatantlya
sacrificialexchangeofsocialbodiesandsocialviolencesinwhichthelesbianchannelsviolenceforthecommunity.Iwanttoreturnforamomentmoretothehistoryof
thisscreenprojectionwhosebeinghasbeensent,bothtothelesbianIandtotheOther,forthelongdurationofatumultuousandviolentcentury.
Themassproductionofthemythofafemalepredatorwasdeliveredintothetwentiethcenturybythetechnologyandbroadcastdistributionofthepopularfiction
industryandlaterthecinema.Bythe1920s,30sand40s,thehardboileddetectivestoriesandcrimenovelsoftheHammettChandlerSpillanetraditionhad
modernizedandAmericanizedthegenreofcrimefictionmadeimmenselypopularbySirArthurConanDoyleintheSherlockHolmesserieswhichspannedtheturnof
thecenturyfromthe1880stothe1920s.OneofDashiellHammettstrademarkinnovationsonDoylesclassicformulainhisContinentalOpstoriespublishedinthe
20sand30swastheinsertionintothenarrativeofatypeofmurderousfemalecharacterwhosecapacitytokillpreciselyexceededthediscursivelimitsoffamilialhate
crimes.Thatherpredations,renderedinclassicssuchasTheGirlwiththeSilverEyes,exceededthoseoffamilialcrimesofhate,however,onlysuggestedallthe
morethatherfigure,likeBordens,wassignifyingsymptomaticallythebreakdownofadysfunctioningnuclearfamily.RaymondChandlerinthe30sand40s
continuedtodevelopthismurderousfemininecharactertype,placingherinasociallandscapeofcrimeandviolenceinwhichmoralconclusionswererarelydrawnand
inwhichtruthandjusticeweremanifestlydeterminedbymoneyandpower,epitomizedinhisfirstnovelTheBigSleep(1939).IntheAmericanmilieuofsignsinwhich
thewealth,status,andtraditionofSirArthurConanDoylessocialorderwereoverturnedbygreed,economicinequities,organizedcrime,andeverydayimmorality,
thedarkwomanofcrimefictionwasbecomingunanchoredfromboththeprotectionandmoralityofthedomesticsphere.InthefictionofMickeySpillane,the
detectivesaggressivitytowardthedarkladyofcrimewasbecomingovertlymurderousandviolent.InItheJury(1947),forexample,thedetectiveMikeHammer
realizesthatthewomanhehasbeeneroticallydesiringisalsothe

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criminalheispursuing.RatherthanarrestingherinthetraditionofHammettsSamSpade,however,heemptieshisrevolverintohercrotch.
Throughoutthe1930sand40s,thisfigureofafemalepredatorwasfurtherpopularizedforbroadcastaudiencesintheimmenselysuccessfulgenreoffilmnoir,where
shereignedsupremeonthecinemasghostlyprojectionscreenasthedeadlyyetseductivefemmefatale.Reproducingthedestabilizationofgenderedsignsand
identitiesthatthisfigureofdangerousfemininityintroducedintocrimefiction,shetypicallyappearedinclassicnoiratcenterscreenonlytobecomebyfilmsendeither
thearrestedbodythatwouldrationalizethepoliceforce(asinRoyDelRuthsandJohnHustonsfilmicversionsofHammettsTheMalteseFalcon[1931,
1941]),orthereassimilatedwiferationalizingpatrilinealpropertyrightsandvalidatingthemarriagesystemassignifierofahealthysocialbody(asinMichaelCurtizs
Casablanca[1942]).
Inthelate50sand60s,televisionselectronicmediumwouldconductthespectreofthisfemininepredator,assimilatingnoirsclaustrophobicmiseenscnetothetv
studio,andfreeingthecinematicapparatustoproduceatechnologicallyinnovativeproductinthe60slesssuitabletotelevisualmimesisandappropriation.Thisnew
productwasthepanoramic,cinemascopicWesternanostalgicprojectionmonumentalenoughtoscreenthetranslocationoftheU.S.frontierfromNorthAmericato
SoutheastAsia.Meanwhile,thecollapseoftheHollywoodstudiosysteminthe60s,assistedbytvscompetition,pushedthefilmicdetectivegenretowardfurther
disintegrationasacontainmentmechanismfortheveryphantomprojectionithadmassproduced.
By1974,thechannelingofviolencethroughthefatalwomansphantomprojectionvirtuallyimplodedonthesilverscreeninPolanskisChinatown,afilminwhichthe
femmefataleisanincestvictimwho,thoughinnocentofanycrime,isshotintheeyeatfilmsendbythepolice,whiletheevilfathermakesoffwithhis
daughter/granddaughterwrappedinhisincestuousarmswhileshescreamshystericallyforherdeadmommy.Againstthishistoricalbackdropofimprisonedanddead
femmesfatales,transformationsin90spopularrepresentationsofwomenwhokillappearnotasaruptureordiscontinuity,butasqualitativechangesinthe
womansrelationtothepredatoryact,tothetoolsofviolenceandorgansofpredation,andtotheabilityofthemodernlegalsystemtosuccessfullyscreeneither
femininedepredationsortheconstativeproductionofwomenassacrificialvictimsofsocialviolence.Inaddition,thenewmoviegenrecoinedbyMirabellasJune92
issueaspsychofemmefilmsagenrewhichincludesThelmaandLouise,SingleWhiteFemale,andBasicInstinctamongmanyothersincreasinglydepictsa
failureoftheheterosexualeconomytoregulateandcontainhomoeroticexchangesbetweenwomen.

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In1974,thepopularnarrativeinChinatownscreenedbyHollywoodtoapostCivilRights,postWatergateandpostVietnampublicdepictedthepoliceanda
patrilinealpropertysystemastheembodimentsof,nottheprotectionsagainst,asystematicviolencetowardwomen.Nearlytwentyyearslater,the90scinemahas
beenbusily(dis)organizingaculturalrepresentationofanangryandvengefulwomanawomanwhothreatenstostepbeyondtheboundsofheterosexualexchange
intotwoscreenbodies,twoclichdimages,whicharetwofacesofthesamefatalfigurewhosecoldbloodeddepredationsthreatenthenuclearfamily,thestatepolice
force,andheterosexuallawandorder.Oneofthosescreenbodieschannelsviolencetowardmenandthenuclearfamilywhileescapingnotonlytheeconomiesofclan
retributionandsacrificialsubstitutionwhichthemodernjusticesystemsupposedlydisplaced,butalsothemodernjusticesystemitself.Thisscreenwomanisembodied
paradigmaticallyinSharonStonesunpunishedpredationsinBasicInstinctin1992.Herbodydouble,incontradistinction,channelsviolencetowardmenandthe
nuclearfamily,butisinturnsubjecttobothanarrativeeconomyofviolentretributionandasymboliceconomywithinthepublicsphereofritualsacrifice.Thefateof
thedoubleisepitomizedbyMadonnasbloody,sacrificialexpenditureattheendofBodyofEvidencewhichappearedoneyearafterBasicInstinctsrelease.
Similarly,ifBasicInstinctdepictsalesbianpredatorwhokillsyeteludesbothretributionandjustice,itsbecauseherlesbiandoubleinthefilm,Roxy,diesinher
place,whileCatherineTremellsuccumbstoaheterosexualexchangefromahomosexualplenitude.Inspiteofthatexchange,howevertentativeifnotvolatileitis
renderedbythefilmsdoubledending,thepredatoryscreenfaceprojectedinBasicInstinctdoesnotreassimilateintothenuclearfamily,nordoesshebecomethe
targetofviolentretribution.Andinanowcommondeviationfromclassicnoirnarratives,shealsodoesnotgotojail,eludingreappropriationandcontainmentundera
moderneconomyofabstractjusticeembodiedbythestatepoliceandjuridicalsystem.Itshardlycoincidentalthatthisjuridicalsystemwasrevealedinthestreetsof
L.A.,inthesameyearasBasicInstinctsrelease,tobenomorethanaveilforviolentretributionandovertracism,anditwasexposedassuchbytheunofficialvideo
documentingRodneyKingsbeatingatthehandsofL.A.policewhichcametohaunttheU.S.courtsystemaswellastheeveningnews.
ItsnotsurprisingthenthatthedangerrepresentedbyStonespredations,onlytentativelycontainedbyhermarginallysecuredheterosexuality,istransductedinto
violencetowardherbodydouble,awomanwhokillsmenandisviolentlykilledbytheminturn,embodyinganexchangeofviolencesnotrationalizedbyasystemof
abstractjusticeasinclassicnoir,

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butbyvengefulretributionontheleveloftheindividualnarrativeandsacrificialsubstitutiononthelevelofanintertextualpublicsphere.Inotherwords,ifSharonStone
canwalkafterbothlesbianismandserialmurderinBasicInstinct,asacrificialscreenbodynolessculturallyloadedthanapostSex,bisexualMadonnamustbe
offeredupforamassactofritualmurder,partlyplayedinslowmotionwithbackgroundmusic,inBodyofEvidencesnormalizingrepetitionofInstinctsaberrations
againstthelegitimateexchangeofsocialbodiesandsocialviolences.Themostsymptomaticdifference,then,in90sscreeningsofthisoldthreatoffeminineviolence
liesinthenowdoubledrepresentationofthelawsinabilitytoregulateeitherthesocialviolencechanneledtowardthiswomanortheviolencethatshechannelstoward
thesocius.Bothbodiesexposeasystemofviolentexchangesoncescreenedbythecommunallyheldandofficiallysanctionedpretenseofanabstractandtherefore
justequivalencyunderthelaw.Whetherthewomanwalksafterlesbianismandserialmurderorwhethersheisblownawayinanunveiledspasmofviolentretribution
inthespiritofFatalAttractions(1987)vulgar,publicbloodletting,1990sfilmicrepresentationsoffemininepredatorsfigureawomanwhoisbeyondboththe
punishmentandprotectionofthejusticesystemanditspoliceforcebeyondpreciselythatwhichwaschallengedbutalwaysfinallyrationalizedandlegitimizedin
classicnoir.
Obviously,thelesbianandgaycommunityneedstodojustviolencetothisscreenprojectionofalesbianpsychofemmepredator,butindoingso,italsoneedsto
addressthemorebroadanddifficultissueofthepropercollectiverelationtoacontagionofsocialviolences.Thatis,thenightmareprojectionofalesbianpredator
directsustotakeupthemoregeneralquestionofhowtorepresent,toourselvesandtotheother,violencespastandthepastofviolenceinthelesbiancommunity.
Becausebeyondthatquestion,anevenmorepressingissuefacesustheissueofviolencesandresistancesinourowndiscoursesaboutcollectiveidentitiesand
publicrepresentations.Takingthisbroadapproachtotherelationoflesbiansandsocialviolencewithinthegeneraleconomywillrequireseveraldetoursthatwewill
laterfindareonlyreroutingopportunitiesfortheessentialadestinationoflesbianidentitieswhohavesenttheirbeingandwhohavehadtheirbeingsentintothecollision
courseofbecomingwomanandbecomingkillingmachine.
InthefirstweekofJanuaryof1993,theNewYorkTimesreportedthatAIDShadbecometheleadingcauseofdeathintheNewYorkstateprisonsystem,whilethe
U.S.militaryhadrenewedlowintensitybombingraidsinIraqtostabilizeglobalsecurity.Laterthatsamemonth,theJointChiefsofStaffannouncedtothepublic
theirresistancetoClintonscampaignpromisetoendthe1948banofgaymenandlesbiansinthemilitary,

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citingtheviolentbeatingmurderofagaysailorbyhismatesasanexampleofthedisciplinaryproblemsthatcouldarisefromrevokingtheban.Bytheendof
January,threemarinesinWilmington,NorthCarolina,pulledapatronoutofagaybarandfracturedhisskull,shoutingClintonmustpay(NewYorkTimes,
February2,1993).ThefollowingweekintheBronx,ayoungAfricanAmericanmansufferingfromseizuresandadrugproblem,whohadbeeninandoutofshelters,
prisonsandemergencyroomsforyears,beatan80yearoldwomantodeathwithaleadpipeoutsideherchurch(NewYorkTimes,February7,1993).Fivemonths
earlierinCleveland,alesbianhadmurderedherlover,sayingthattheloversfatherhadharassedhisdaughterforbeingalesbiantothepointthatsheannounced,I
wishIwasdead(Pontoni).InhisstudyofthesystematizationofviolenceintheTheNervousSystem(1992),MickTaussigrecountsthestoryofawomanwho,
whenapproachedbyasocialworkerwhohasarrivedtotakeherlastremainingchildasawardofthestate,pullsdownherpantsandrevealsastabwoundinher
butt.Uponrealizingwhatsheddone,shepullsupherpantsandlaughsnervously.
WhatImsuggestingisthatweliveinanepochofcontinuousviolences,andinthisourepochdifferslittlefrompreviousones,exceptperhapsthattodaytherightto
participateinmilitarypredatorysystemshascometosignifythefullsocialstatusandcivilrightsoftheindividualcitizen,whetherthatcitizenbelesbianorgay,a
woman,orAfricanAmerican.ItsfromthisepochalperspectiveofthegeneraleconomythatIseektheproperaffectwithwhichtoapproachthelesbianbodywhich
SharonStonesprojectioninBasicInstinctscreensasbodydouble.Thatbody,whichcouldneverappearunscreenedinthepublicsphere,belongstoAileen
Wuornoswho,oneyearbeforeBasicInstinctsrelease,wasarrestedformurderingsevenmenonsevenseparateoccasionsalongaruralhighwayinsouthFlorida,
andwhowaslabeledbythemediaasthefirstlesbianserialkiller.
BearingWuornossbodyandpublicsigninmind,Iwantyoutorecallthemediatedoutragefromthelesbianandgaycommunity,vocalizedbyQueerNation,Outin
Film,andthenationalGayandLesbianAllianceAgainstDefamation(Glaad)inregardtoBasicInstincts1992portrayalofthelesbianasserialkiller(NewYork
Times,March29,1992).Weallknowthatgaysandlesbiansasliminalandmarginalizedsocialbodiesareparticularlysusceptibletothechannelingofsocialviolence,
asareotherminoritybodies.Theproportionofpsychofemmelesbianstoappearonthesilverscreencomparedtothetotalnumberoflesbiansingeneraltoappearon
screenspeaksforitselfastothestateofjustandequivalentrepresentationinthemainstreamcinema,andepitomizestheuseofthelesbianbodytochannelandthen
screenapotentialcontagionofviolence

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eruptingfromthebreakdownofthesexgendersysteminthesocalledhealthyheterosexualsocialbody.Butinordertounderstandthesystematicityofviolence
withinthekillingmachinewhatTaussig(1992)termsterrorasusualintheNervousSystemandinordertounderstandtherolesthatlesbianbodiesplaywithin
suchasystem,wemustgofurtherthanthejustandtimelyprotestsbyGlaad,QueerNation,andOutinFilm,andbewillingtopushontoquestionthepoliticsof
violenceandresistanceinthestorieswetellaboutviolenceinthelesbiancommunityaswellasinthemainstreammedia,inboththeofficialandunofficial
representationsofviolence,andinourpersonalandpublicrepresentationsofviolence(38).
Forafewmoments,then,IwanttopretendwedonthavetotellthisofficialandutopicstoryanymoreinwhichlesbianslikeU.S.citizensingeneralandlikewomenin
generalarenonviolentsocialsubjects,inanargumentwhichattemptstoprotectlesbiansfromtheviolenceofsocialdefamationandthephysicalandemotional
brutalitythatgoeswithitbyclaimingtheirowninnocencefromparticipationinviolentsystemsofsocialexchange.Thisclaimtouchesusallthemorepainfullywhenwe
allowourselvestoknowwhatiseverywhereobvious,thatallsystemsofsocialexchangeknowntomenandwomeninourculturedependuponsystematicexchanges
ofviolence.Someofthoseviolencesaresacred,legitimate,andpublicothersarecriminal,illegitimate,andcovert.Andtheregulationandbreakdownofthat
distinctionispreciselythedomainofthekillingmachine.
Letsmakenomistakethattheunifyingfactorinthedisparategroupoflegitimatevictimsofviolenceistheirliminalstatusonthefringesofsocietythedegreeof
theirdisintegrationwithinthelegitimatingdiscoursesofthehealthysocius(Girard).Becauseoftheirmarginalizedstatus,theexposureofthesesocialbodiesto
violenceentailslittleriskofreprisalfromanyempoweredsocialgroup.Theconstativeexchangestructuringthesacrificeisthusanactofviolencewithoutriskof
vengeance.Itswithinthiseconomyofexchangeswhichthemodernjusticesystemsupposedlyreplacedthatwecanbegintounderstandthemeaningofthelesbian
serialkillersserializedandmediatedsignature.Onceprotectedfromsacrificialsubstitutionbecauseofriskofclanretaliation,womenbecomesubjecttoincreasing
socialviolencewiththebreakdownfirstoflocalcommunitiesandlaterofthenuclearfamily.Asthesociallinkbetweenwomenandthelargercommunitydisintegrates,
women,particularlysinglewomenorwomenoutsideoftheeconomyofheterosexualexchange,becomeincreasinglymarkedforviolence.Theserialkillingmachine
typicallypreysonwomenwhowereonceprotectedbythestatusofthelocalclanasitwasreproducedinwomensmaternalfunction.Thus,

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singlewomenareparticularlysusceptibletoserialkilling,asexemplifiedbytheGreenRiversslayingsofprostitutesinWashingtonstate,TedBundysinterstatemurder
spreeofyoungsinglewhitewomen,andtheGainesvillemurdersofwhitecoedsattheUniversityofFlorida.Deterritorializinglocalculturalgeographiesofclassand
raceinordertoreterritorializethemunderaregimeofterror,theserialkilleristypicallyitinerant,oftenusingtransportationtechnologiestobetterpreyonthe
disintegratingsocialtiesofbrokendowncommunitiesinwhichneighborsdontvisuallyrecognizeorspeaktoneighborsandthecomingsandgoingsofstrangerscan
nolongerbepolicedbycommunalsocialbonds.
Inthelatemoderncinemasprojectionofalesbianpredator,thefailureoftheclansystemtoregulatesocialviolencetowardwomentakesanewturn.InSingleWhite
Female(1992)themurdersarecommittedspecificallytospitetheclan,aswellasthefemininepositionsofhetdaughterandwifethatthekinshipsystemauthorizes.
InBasicInstinct,themurdersareagainsttheclan.Ifnothingelse,BasicInstinctprojectsthebreakdownofthenuclearfamilysystem:motherswhokilltheirchildren,
daughterswhokilltheirparents,girlfriendswhomurderlovers,girlfriendswhoarelesbians,femalepsychotherapistswhohatetheirmalepatients,womenwhohatethe
ideaofdomesticityandchildrearing,phallicwomenwhoexposegapsinthelaw,femmesfatalewhomurderthedetective.Thisprojectednightmaredrivesthe
fantasmaticnarrativetoitsnearlyclassicalresolutionthedetectivemurdersthemurderouslesbiandouble,becomestheobjectofthefemmefatalesdesire,andre
establishesphallicorder(...almost).
InthecaseofWuornos,themurdersarebothagainsttheclanandinandofthemselvestherevengeoftheclanwhichshehastakenuponherselftoexecutethatis,
theystandintheplaceofanabsentclanrevengewhiletheyalsostandinjudgmentagainstdomesticviolencewithintheclan.Incourttestimony,Wuornosmaintained
thatshekilledonlythosejohnswhodeservedit.AileenWuornos,asahomelesslesbianhighwayprostitute,istheliminalbodythatshouldhaveconstitutedthebody
ofthesacrificialvictim.Refusingthatrole,shechoosesinstead,illegitimately,thepositionofthesacrificialpriest,thejudge,andtheexecutioneruntilsheiscaughtby
thepoliceandbroughtunderthejudicationofthelegalsystem,wherethepoweroftheactofviolencewhichshedeterritorializedforherownsignatureis
reterritorializedbytheLawandredirectedtowardWuornosasaproperbodyforsocialviolenceintheformofthedeathsentence.
Serialkillingtreadstheliminalsocialspacebetweensacrificeandmurderbetweentheimpuresacredandthecriminal.Itisaformofanonymousviolencethatfoils
retributionfromacommunity,becomingthena

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gameofoutwittingthestatepoliceforce.Itexistsinthespacebetweentheemptiedfunctionofthelocalcommunityandfamilyclaninthelatemodernstateandthe
stateandnationaljudicialsystem.Itsintercountyorinterstateflightiscounteredonlybyanintrastateandinterstatepolicedatasystem.Inthissense,serialkillingisa
gameplayedwithanabstractmachine(deductiverationallogicauthorizedasthelawandinstitutionalizedasacomputerizedpolicesurveillanceanddataprocessing
system)inwhichtheserialkillertracksthedisintegratingormissingsociallinksthroughwhichthebodypoliticreproducesandrationalizespower,ratherthanan
exchangeexecutedthroughabodywithinthecontextofaspecificcommunity.
Inaneconomyofsacrifice,thedesiretocommitactsofviolencetowardthosenearusischanneledtobodiesonthemarginsofsociety,therebyquellingapotential
contagionofviolenceswithinthelegitimatesocius.Serialkillingspursratherthanquellsacontagionofviolencethemoreittakesinappropriateandillegitimatevictims
asitstargetwhitecoedsastheprivilegeddaughtersoftherisingbourgeoismiddleclassornouveauricheinthecaseoftheGainesvillemurders,forexample,or,in
thecaseofWuornos,whiteheterosexualmen.Itsnotsurprisingthatthiscontagionofviolenceisthenredirectedtowardappropriatevictims,justassouthFlorida
newspapersreportedthathatecrimesagainstlesbiansincreasedduringtheperiodofWuornosstrial(Brownworth).
ThemachinicallyassembledseriatureofthelesbianserialkilleratermcoinedbyRonellinherreadingofRodneyKingsassembledmediarepresentationin
HauntedTV(1992)istheeffectofanetworkofmediarepresentations.ThisnetworkconstitutingWuornosspublicsignatureasserialkillerherseriature
includesHollywoodprojectionsofwomenwhokillandmediacoverageofWuornosasthefirstlesbianserialkillerintheformofnewsreports,coverageofthetrial
onCourtTV,andthemadefortvmovieOverkill.Thisnetworkproducesmediatingwindowsthroughwhichthesociuspolicesitselfthroughtheperpetualthreatof
pandemoniumfromanimaginaryexterior.Thetemporalflowofrationalconsciousnessintvthenframes,formats,andfracturesthispandemoniumwhichitconstitutes.
Intheprocess,thefaceoftheserialkillercanonlysigninthepublicsphereasmanifestlyposthuman,inthatitsignsastheconcreteformofexpressionofanabstract
machinemediatingsocialviolences.Inthismediationwhichnowconstitutesthepublicsphere,thepostCartesianbodysignsasIambecauseIappearonnetwork
news.
InthemadefortvmoviedepictingtheWuornosstory,forexample,televisionsimulateditsowncalltoethicsasrealisticdocudrama.Thatwhichwasusuallyhidden
fromviewsuddenlyburstinmimeticpackaging

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repletewithinterruptingcommercialsontothebroadcastscreenofeveningtvastheuglysceneofsocialviolenceembodiedintherobbingofastreetprostitute
(i.e.,rape)and,evenmorecensoredbecausefarmoreviolentlycontagiousforthecommunitytherevengeoftherobbedprostitutewhoisbothalesbianandan
incestsurvivor.Overkillsignifiesfirstandforemostrevengeratherthanselfdefense.AileenWuornosasseriatedkillerserializedbyhermediatedsignatureisthe
liminalscapegoatwhorefusestobecomethesacrificialbodysheismarkedtobebychannelingsocialviolenceratherthanabsorbingit,byrefusingtoeatthe
poisonouspharmakon(firstasthephallusandpenisoftheincestuousgrandfatheranduncle,laterasthehardonoftheabusiveandrobbingtrick)bywhichshewould
betransformedintothesacrificialbodyaslowerclass,lesbian,secondgenerationincestvictimandstreetwalkerwhosetricksoftenenoughdontevenpayher(i.e.,in
streetslangtheyrobher).Insteadofeatingthispoisonofthesocius,shebecomesthepoisonthatmustinturnbeeatenbythesickcommunityinablatantlysacrificial
exchangereifiedasaneconomyofabstractjustice,inorderforthateconomyandthatcommunitytobecuredoftheoutcomesofitsownviolencethatis,inorderto
representtoitselfthenormativehealthofitseverydaysocialrelations.ThisisthecircuitofmediatedexchangesintowhichAileenWuornossendsheridentityandhas
heridentitysentaslesbianserialkiller.
Wuornossviolenceistheeffectandtheaffectofanillegitimatesocialidentitythatcanonlybecomelegitimateasserialkiller.InEveSedgwickstermslaidoutinan
articleonqueerperformativity(1993),theextenttowhichWuornosdoesnthavealegitimateidentityistheextenttowhichshehasanidentityofshame.Her
performanceofhershame,andshamelessness,istheonlywayshehastolegitimatethatis,tomakevisibleandintelligibletoherselfandtotheothertheaffectof
angerwhichconstitutesheridentityasonewhoisunabletobeaslegitimateidentity,butwhorefuseseithertoannihilateherselfthroughsuicideortobethemurdered
bodyinthewoods.
Herseriatureisreterritorialized,assembledandregulatedbyaninterstatepolice,computerdatabase,broadcastmedianetwork.Evenasshethreatensthelegitimacy
ofthatnetwork,sheevokesthejustifieduseofpoliceforce,therebyprovidingthebodyuponwhichthesocialsystemsunjustviolencescanbereifiedasabstract
justice.Sheboththreatenstorupturetheillusionofnonviolentsocialrelationswithinthebodypoliticandprovidestheindividuatedbodythroughwhichthebody
politiccanrepresentitselfasnonviolentandjust.HertelemediatedidentityisframedandserializedjustashertelemediatedtrialwasbeingserializedonCourtTV.
ForthetelevisionviewerofOverkill(whichreceivedvociferousmailcomplainingthatWuornoswasrepresentedtoosympathetically),

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thereisanuncannyrecognitionofthefamiliarinWuornossbizarredocudramaherlifeisdocudrama,beforethedocudramaofherlifeiseverproduced.Butmore
thanthat,herdocudramaiscompletelymundaneandpredictable,herstorymakestheextraordinary(awomansmultiplemurdersofmen)completelyordinarya
homelessprostitutewithoutapimpwalkingtheedge,shefounditmorerewardingtoturntricksthanbeamotelmaid,andlaterfounditmorelucrativetomurderand
robbadjohnsthantofuckthemfor$20ortoletthemrobormurderher.Meanwhilethelegalsystemandthedeductiverationalizationsofpopularcrimesolvingwant
tomaketheordinaryfragmentsofWuornossdismemberedlifeintoanextraordinary,exotic,andexemplarynarrativeofcrimeandpunishment.
ButwhatarewerememberinginthestoryofAileenWuornos?Isitthatlesbianbodieshaverealrelationstospecificformsofsocialviolence?Isitthatsometimesits
difficulttotellthepolicefromthebadjohns,thehonestmenfromthedishonestmen,problematizedinthemadefortvmoviebytheundercovercopwhoboth
befriendsWuornosandbetraysher,orbythedeadjohnswhoturnouttobeaministerandastatesocialworker?IsitthatWuornosistheembodimentofsocial
violenceashomelesswoman,incestsurvivor,rapeandrobberyvictim,highwayprostitute,andkillerdyke?Isitthesymptomatologyofpostincestprofilein
herstory:suicideattempt,selfhatred,anger,repression,multiplepersonalities,lossoffamilyandthelossofeconomicstabilitythataccompanieslossoffamily?
Arewerememberingtheprimalsceneofthebadjohnbeingshotintheheart,brain,andgenitalsbyahighwayprostitutethathetriedtorobkilledintheFlorida
woodsalreadysignedbythederacinationoftheSeminoles,bytheeconomicallycondonedsocialviolenceagainstmigrantlabor,andbytheovertoppressionof
povertystrickenAfricanAmericans,HispanicAmericans,Mexicans,Haitians,Jamaicans,etc.?IsitthatWuornosistheblondewhitewoman,theotherotherofParis
IsBurning(1991),poorwhitetrashkillingtheoffendingfamilymembers,theincestuousgrandfatheranduncle,overandoverandover?Isitthesignatureofrepetition
anddeathdrive,notfinallyinteriorizedasselfmutilationandsuicidesocommontofemininityscontemporarysignature,butexteriorizedastheseriatedmurderofthe
other?
Arewerememberingthecoldnessandcrueltyshelearnedfromtheabsentmotherwhoabandonedherandwhowasalsoavictimofdomesticviolence,andfromthe
fatherimprisonedforchildmolestationwhohangedhimselfinprisontwogenerationsofangryknowledgepasseddownasasociopsychologicalandphysiological
bodyofsigns,bodymemories,andnightterrors.Isitthatpopularimagesofkillerdykes

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provideaconvenientscreenmemoryforthemassiveworkingsofterrorandviolenceofthekillingmachine?OrisitthatWuornos,signingherselfasthedaughterat
thebottomofthebottomofthewhitesocialhierarchy,isthelastwhippingpost,theplacewherethebuckstops,finally,asastormofmeaninglessviolences,flightsof
desperation,alcohol,outrage,alienation,andschizonoiathelastresortofillegitimateidentity,likethebarbearingthatnamewhereWuornoswasfinallyarrested
(MacNamara).
Ashomelesslesbianprostitute,Wuornosisbeyondtheprotectionofthenuclearfamilyandthelaw.Withoutmentothreatenretribution,shetakesrevengeintoher
ownhands,butindoingsosheismarkedalwaysandalreadyasthevictim,thescapegoat,andthesacrificialbody.Theoretically,ajustlegalsystemcanfillthegapof
amissingfamilynarrative,butweknow,asdoesshe,thatthatbeliefisonlyanabstraction.Inactuality,Wuornosisaloneinthewoodswithherjohnsbeyondthe
protectionofanabstractlawthatcanonlysignitselfthroughthecriminalizationofhersocialbody,andhersalone,nothergrandfathers,notthebodiesofherabusive
tricks,andlikewise,sheforherpartcanonlybeknownasavisible,intelligiblebodywithinthepublicspherebythecriminalizationofherseriatureasnotsuicideand
notsacrifice.Ifshehadbeenthestreetwalkermurderedinthewoodsbyoneofhertricksorifherearlysuicideattempthadbeensuccessful,Wuornosssignature
wouldhaveremainedforeverinvisibletothepublicspherewhich,intheory,bearstheresponsibilityformitigatingtheviolenceofinequivalencieswithincivilsocietyand
guaranteeingabstractjusticeforall(Habermas).
IfthedifferenceofWuornosssacrificialsignbecomesherlesbianisminthepopularimaginary(whichithas),thenthecontagionofviolencewillspread(whichitis,
increasingthelevelofviolenceschanneledontothelesbiansocialbodyatlarge).ButletusnotforgetthattherealdifferencedrivingWuornosslifestoryisherpoverty,
hereconomicoppression,heralienationthroughlossoffamilytypicalofadultwomensubjectedtoincestaschildren,herliminalsocialstatusashomelesshighway
prostituteallthatwhichisuncannilyfamiliarinherstory,mundane,completelyordinary,andunderstandable,thatis,herlifetimeexposuretounadulteratedformsof
puresocialviolence.Thatshehasalesbianloveristheonetenderspotinahorribleandsordidsequenceofeventsthatconstitutethelimittextofherlifestory.Itis
theoneamorousactofvolitionthatstandscountertoheronlyotheractofwillthatcanconstituteasignatureofheragencyasonewhorefusesvictimizationthe
murderoftheotherwhowouldOtherher.Assuch,herlesbianismisnotthekeybutthetangentialdetailoftheseriatednarrativethatmustbeexoticizedbythemass
mediatedkillingmachine,thatis,madeextraordinary,butonlyasclich,evenasitsrealdifferenceisexorcised,screened,anderased.

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Intheend,expertlyworkedoverbythestatepoliceforceandunderthreatofcriminalcharges,theloverTyriaMooreisledtotestifyagainstWuornosincourtthe
finalbetrayalinalonglistofbetrayalsbythosewhoweresupposedtoloveherandthesuccessfulruptureofanypotentialcollectivelesbiansocialidentity.
UnderstandingthemechanismofWuornosslifelongalienationthesystematicreificationofallhersocialrelationsintorelationsofviolenceauthorizedbyregimesof
paternalpropertyorcommodityexchangeononehand,andtheerasureofherillegitimateandunofficialbutselfdeterminedrelationsontheotherArlenePralle,a
strangerwholikeWuornoswasadoptedasaninfant,statestothepress,therebutbythegraceofGodIwouldbe,andadoptsWuornosafterherimprisonment,
therebyinscribinginthepublicsphereforWuornos,andallherdoubles,atleastthesignifierofatangible,permanent,andselfdeterminedsocialrelationthattheLaw
canimprison,butcannot,finally,erase.
Meanwhile,Wuornossseriatureatthejunctureofbecominglesbianandbecomingkillingmachineconstitutingthecriminalizationoflesbianidentityistimecoded
forafeaturefilm,forafewmoreheadlines,foranothermadefortvmovieorindependentdocumentaryperhaps,beforethechairendshernarrativeaccordingtothe
scriptsheherselfwantstowritewithajoltofpureelectricityliketheelectriccircuitsoftelevisionssimulationofWuornosslifestory.Thatstoryisonethatshe
neverreallyhad,untiltvmadeitupbygivingitatthesametimebroadcastlife,temporalframe,andnarrativeclosureseriatingfragmentsofalifeintomainstreamtv
thatwillneveradduptoeitherameaningfulstoryorajustajudication.
WorksCited
Brownworth,Victoria.KillerLesbians.VillageVoice,vol.37,no.4,October13,1992:25.
Chandler,Raymond.TheBigSleep.NewYork:BallantineBooks,1971.
DeLanda,Manuel.WarintheAgeofIntelligentMachines.NewYork:ZoneBooks,1991.
Deleuze,Gilles,andFelixGuattari.AThousandPlateaus:CapitalismandSchizophrenia.Trans.BrianMassumi.Minneapolis:UniversityofMinnesotaPress,
1987.
Girard,Ren.ViolenceandtheSacred.Trans.PatrickGregory.Baltimore:JohnsHopkinsUniversityPress,1977.
Habermas,Jrgen.TheStructuralTransformationofthePublicSphere:AnInquiryintoaCategoryofBourgeoisSociety.Trans.ThomasBurger.Cambridge,
MA:MITPress,1992.

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Hammett,Dashiell.TheContinentalOp.NewYork:VintageBooks,1975.
MacNamara,Mark.TheKissAndKillSpree.VanityFair,September1991:90106.
Pontoni,Martha.WomanKillsLover.GayPeoplesChronicle,Cleveland.Vol.8,issue2,August21,1992:1.
Ronell,Avital.HauntedTV:RodneyKing/Video/Trauma.Artforum,September1992:7174.
Sedgwick,Eve.QueerPerformativity:HenryJamesTheArtoftheNovel.Gay/LesbianQuarterly,vol.1,no.1,1993.
Spillane,Mickey.ItheJury.NewYork:NewAmericanLibrary,1954.
Taussig,Michael.TheNervousSystem.NewYork:Routledge,1992.

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NINE
DeathoftheFamily,or,
KeepingHumanBeingsHuman
RoddeyReid
Thefamilyisthemosthuman,themostpowerful,andbyfarthemosteconomicalsystemformakingandkeepinghumanbeingshuman....Throughoutmodernindustrialsocieties
andacrossdiversecultures,thedominantandmostsuccessfulfamilyformhasbeenthetwoparentfamily....Indeed,anthropologistslonghaverecognizedthetwoparenthome...
asacommonfoundationofhumansocieties.
FamiliesFirst.ReportoftheNationalCommissiononAmericasUrbanFamilies(1993)
Thedirtylittlesecretinplaceofthewideopenspacesglimpsedforamoment.Thefamilialistreduction,inplaceofthedriftofdesire.Inplaceofthegreatdecodedflows,little
streamsrecodedinmommysbed.Interiorityinplaceofanewrelationshipwiththeoutside.
DeleuzeandGuattari,AntiOedipus

HumanInterestStories
Themelodramatictitletomyessayisaplayonthedinthatassaultsearandeyeaswepunchthroughthedigitalpresetsandsurfonremotecontrolathomeorflip
throughmagazinesinthedoctorsofficeanxiouslyawaitingthelatestreportonwhatstranspiringonandbelowourskins.Dramasproximateandfarawayswirl
aroundandpastustellingtalesoffamilyunderthreat:frommurdersuicidesoffamilymembers,crackbabies,daycarechildmolesters,theHIVvirus,andwhite
YuppiemothershiringundeclaredLatinananniestoparentsstealingawayfromtheirchildrenforaquickMexicanvacation,viciousbabysitters,bisexualhusbands,
motherswhosmokeduringandafterpregnancy,anddeadbeatdads.Thesestorieskeepyouonedgeanxiouslylookingoveryourshoulderatonemomentandat
anotherpeeringintotheeyesoffriend,neighbor,spouse,orlover,wondering:whosnext?

Page178

Orratherthatquestionshouldcrossyourmindifnotyourlips,fordontthesestoriesraiseyourpulserate,getyouinacoldsweat,haveyoucallyourcitycouncilor
U.S.senator?Ifnot,wellthen,theresclearlysomethingwrongwithyou.Youredevoidoffeeling,youdontcare,youdontbelongtoTheCommunity.Foritstime
todefendTheFamilyagainstallcomersandallenemies.
Thestakesarehigh,fornotonlyourveryhumanityisatrisk,assuggestedbythefirstepigraph,butalsotheveryfutureofthenation.TheFamilyStrengthIndexis
atanalltimelow,warnsthesamegovernmentreportpublishedin1993:
Thefamilytrendofourtimeisthedisinstitutionalizationofmarriageandthesteadydisintegrationofthemotherfatherchildraisingunit.Thistrendoffamilyfragmentationis
reflectedprimarilyinthehighrateofdivorceamongparentsandthegrowingprevalenceofparentswhodonotmarry.Nodomestictrendismorethreateningtothewellbeingof
ourchildrenandtolongtermnationalsecurity.(FamiliesFirst:19)1

Familyisthealphaandomegaofnationallife.AsGeorgeBushputitinacommencementaddressin1992,Whateverformourmostpressingproblemstake,allare
relatedtothedisintegrationoftheAmericanfamily(FamiliesFirst:13).
NightoftheLivingDead
Itseverywhereanditscatching.Familiesandhouseholdsaredeadanddyingallaroundus,wearetold.Inthegothicversionofthetale,familiesaredeadbutnever
quite:theundead.Zombielike,theywanderacrosstvscreens,billboards,andnewspapers,displayingtheirgapingwoundsandrottingfleshandsettofeedonour
peaceofmindandinnertranquillity.Oncetheygettoyou,youtoowilltossandturnatnightandbeginyourinsomniaccareerthroughpublicandprivatespacein
searchofnewbodiesandmindstonourishtheGreatFear.Dangerlurksineverycorner,athome,acrosstown,andabroad.Howcanyousleepwhenyouwatcha
docudramathatrevealsthatCaliforniasFamilyoftheYearin1965wasahotbedofchildabuse?(ShatteredTrust1993).Orthatforonekidinfifty,onethirdof
thatsacredtriadMommyDaddyMemaybeinjailatanyonetime?(Coleman1993).AndwhatsleftofyourpeaceofmindonceyouvereadtheremarksofDawn
Stover,theassociatedirectorofthePortland,Oregon,groupcalledAdvocatesforLife,whotalliesupthescoreintheabortionbattlethisway:Thereare30million
deadchildren,one

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deadabortionistandonewounded,Stoversaid.Whoswinningthebattle?Nottheprebornwhovenotyetbreathedtheirfirstbreathoflife(Pleasfor
Protection1993).Or,finally,whentheheadlinejumpsoutatyouthataprosperousLosAngelesbusinessmanwasshotdeadbesidehismothersgrave,whichhe
visitedeveryweek,whilekneelingandholdingadozenroses(Corwin1993).Nothingissacredanymore.
SavetheChildren
IfweallshudderedontheeveoftheGulfWaratthesightofthatmotherofallchildmolesters,SaddamHussein,caressingtheheadsofcaptiveAmericanchildrenon
CNN,atleastthealliesbroughtthehostageshomeandtookcareofhim.Onthehomefront,thingsareequallyworrisomeforchildrenifnotmoreso.Whocanyou
entrustcareofyourchildrentooutsidethehome?Daycarecentersteemwithchildpredatorswhoseduceandabusetheiryoungcharges.Somethingmustbedone.
JustasformerSecretaryofEducationandDrugCzarWilliamJ.Bennettclaimedthatwemustspeakupforthefamily.Wehavetosayit,wehavetosayitloudly,we
havetosayitoverandoveragain(TheFamily1987:24),sotoowemustspeakupforchildren,forthebodiesandspeechofthelittleonesarenolessfragileand
endangeredthanTheFamily.Theyareinfansbynature:without(credible)voice.Orsodeclaredan11yearoldgirlwhotestifiedatbothoftheMcMartindaycare
centertrialsinLosAngeles,whichendedindeadlockedjuriessevenyearsafterthefirstchargeswerefiledagainstRayBuckey,settingoffawaveofhysteriain
ManhattanBeachandsurroundingcommunities.Therewereinitially
allegationsnotonlyofrape,sodomy,oralcopulation,andothersexcrimes,butalsoofpornographicphotographysessions,nakedgames,fieldtripsawayfromtheschoolfor
illicitpurposes,animalmutilation,threatsandsataniclikeritualandsacrifice.(Timnick1990:A1).

Afterthesecondmistrial,theyoungwitnesswas
disappointedandreallyangry.Ithoughttheydbelievemeandsayhesguilty.Isortofthinkitsbecausewerekids,andpeoplethinkallkidslie....Buthedeservestobeinjail.
Heknowswhathedid.Heknowshesabadperson.(Timnick1990:A1)

Periodically,from1983to1990theManhattanBeachparentswhoclaimedtheirchildrenhadbeenabusedheldbannersoutsidethecourtroomthatread,WeBelieve
theChildrenbutthejuriesdidnot.Whoisgoingtotellthechildrenstale?You?Me?TheChildrensInstituteofLosAngeles?

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PanickedparentsofEdenton,NorthCarolina,whobandedtogetherasCitizensAgainstChildAbuse,faredbetter.ThecasewasfeaturedinanABCFrontline
documentaryaswellasinanotherairedinJuly1993byPBStitled,InnocenceLost,theVerdict.ThejuryconvictedRobertF.Kelly,coownerofLittleRascals
DayCareCenter,of97countsofabusing12children,andhewassentencedto12consecutivelifeterms.Thechildrenwereconvincing,saidajuror,muchto
theparentsrelief(Smothers1992a:A18and1992b:A16).However,thesedaystheanxietyoverabusedchildrenissuchthatthespeakersbenefit,asFoucault
onceputit(1980:113),ofspeakingforthesilencedisntgoodenoughgreatervoiceandauthoritycanbehadbyclaimingtobeoneofthevoiceless.
Nowfewcanclaimthestatusofafetus,evenfewerthatofanabortedfetus,whereasallofusmayhavebeenabusedduringchildhood.Thismayaccountinpartfor
thenewwaveofhysteriaaroundchildabuse.TheappealofthatsubjectpositionissoirresistiblethatduringjurydeliberationsonejurorintheKellycase
melodramaticallyrevealedtohavebeenabusedasachild(Smothers1993a:B9).Buthewasnotalone.OprahWinfrey,thenationaltalkshowhostneverknown
tobebehindthetimes,hadalreadyprecededhim.Shehadconfessedonhernationallytelevisedshowthatshehadsufferedrepeatedabuseasachildandhad
launchedanationalcrusadethattookherbeforetheSenateJudiciaryCommitteeinNovember1991.TotheassembledcommitteesheproposedaNationalChild
ProtectionActdrawnupforherbyahotshotChicagolawfirmshehadhireddeclaring,Iamcommittedtousingallmywilltofollowthroughonthislegislation,and
ontheissueofchildabuse....Iintendtomakethismysecondcareer(Mills1991:A1).Ayearlaterhercrusadeledhertonarrateadocumentary,ScaredSilent:
ExposingandEndingChildAbuse,broadcastsimultaneouslyonthreenationaltvnetworksinAugust1992(Carter1992:C13).TheAbusedChildhasbecome
shamelesswannabesobjectofchoice,thoughthosefamilymemberssufferingfrommultiplepersonalitydisorders(MPDs)orvictimizedbysecondarysmokearenot
farbehind.Thespeechofvictimhood(anditsbenefits)isonethatwontbedenied.
ToxicParents
OprahscampaignsoundsawakeupcalltoAmerica:likecommunistsduringtheColdWar,theenemiesarenotsimplywithoutthefamilybutalsowithin.Child
abuseisafamilyaffair,too,andmayevenpushchildrentotheultimatecrime:parricide.WitnessthestoryoftwobrotherstwelveandfifteeninRushSprings,
Oklahoma,whokilledtheirfatherwithariflewhileheslept,accusinghimofrepeatedlybeatingthemandofmolesting

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theirtenyearoldsister.Abuseseemstoknownolimits:notonlywerejournalistsshockedbyreportsofphysicalandsexualabusebuttheywerealmostas
scandalizedbythefactthathehaddeprivedthemofournationalconsumerculturebyconfiningthemtohomeexceptforschool:welearnthataspoliceofficersdrove
theboystoLawston,wheretheyareconfinedinajuveniledetentioncenter,theystoppedataMcDonaldsforameal.Theboyshadnevereatenone(Verhovek
1993:19).2 ThefatherscrimesweresuchthatthegoodfolkofRushSprings,whichclaimstobethewatermeloncapitaloftheworld,ralliedaroundtheboysand
desirednothingbetterthantoforgiveandforgetandreturntonormalcy.Thatswhatweneedtofocusourattentiononnow,iswatermelons,saidJustinJones,a
watermelonfarmer(Verhovek1993:19).Evenfamiliesinthebestneighborhoodsmayharbortheworst:DavidandSharonSchooofanuppermiddleclass
neighborhoodofatownoutsideChicagoabandonedtheirtwosmallgirlsforaweeksvacationinAcapulcooverChristmasandupontheirreturnwerearrestedand
releasedonlyafterpostinga$50,000bond(LeavingTwoHomeAlone).Lovingparentsarenoguaranteeofsafety:TeddyLeePrichardofWayne,WestVirginia,
tookthelivesofhiswifeandtwoofthreechildren
becausehelovedthemanddidntwantacourtordertobreakthefamilyup,relativessaid....Helovedhiswifeandkidssomuchthathekilledthem,ifyoucanmakesenseof
that.Iamasaneperson.Icant,saidPrichardsbrotherinlaw,EvrettHager.(DadKillsWife)

Fathersthreatentheirfamilieslifeandlimb,especiallyiftheyaresmokers.OneantismokingcampaignbillboardinSouthernCaliforniafeaturesthefaceofanAfrican
Americanmanwithalitcigarettebetweenhislipsandreads,EricJonesputoutacontractonhisfamilyfor$2.65.Andmotherscantbetrustedwiththesacredtask
ofnourishingtheirchildren.Onemotherwasrecentlysenttojailfortamperingwithbabyfood(MotherGoestoJail).Toxicparentsindeed.3
Somethingisalwaysoffinthefamilyequationifitsnottheparents,thenitsthechildren.Forexample,yourkidmaybesufferingfromthatnewestclinicalentity,
teenagesyndrome,e.g.,behaviorsthattendtohangtogether(smoking,drinking,earlyandfrequentsexualexperiences,and,inthemoreextremecases,drugs,
suicide,vandalism,violence,andcriminalacts)(FamiliesFirst:15).Or,unbeknownsttoyou,yourkidmayturnouttobeaclosetedfascist.WhenJonathanPreston
Haynessfatherheardallegationsthathisson,whohadconfessedtomurderingaSanFranciscomakeoverartistandaChicagoplasticsurgeonforgivingpeople
fakeAryancosmetics,wasaneoNazi,heexclaimed:

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Imhisfather,andIneversawaclueofthat,hesaid.LikewisethefathersaidhehadnotconsideredHaynestobementallyill.
Hewentaheadandgothimselfadegreeandaseriesofgoodjobs,andtherewaseveryindicationofsmoothsailing,thefathersaid.Weknewwehadanunusual
boy,butwealsoknewhewasaveryintelligentboy.ThereareenougheccentricsaroundNorthernCalifornia(that)tohaveoneinyourfamilydoesntnormallyshake
youupalot.(Williams1993:A1)
ReturnoftheVanishedArchaicDespot
Withdangerateveryturninfamilylife,perhapssomereturntotheoldpatriarchalcertaintiesofyoreisinorder.Thatiswhatthecourtsseemtohaveinmind,if
decisionsregardingBabyJessicaareanyindication:shewasforciblyhandedovertoherbiologicalfatherafterspendingthefirsttwoandonehalfyearsofherlifewith
acouple(Cowley1993:54).Still,therewasdemonstrablepublicuneasinessaboutthewholeaffair,andcertainlyothereventshavenotprovedreassuring:thesame
issueofNewsweekthatbroketheBabyJessicasaga,StandingUpforFathers,featuredasitscoverstoryDeathWishwithanenlargedportraitofDavidKoresh
engulfedintheflamesthatdestroyedtheBranchDavidiancompoundinWaco,Texas,killing85people(DeathWish).Patriarchalperfectionhasitsrisks.AsRobyn
Bunds,aformercultmemberwhowasoneofKoreshswivesfromage14to17,explainedtoNewsweek,Hesperfection,andhesgoingtofatheryourchildren.
Whatmorecanyouaskfor?Infact,continuesNewsweek,BundssaysshewassocommittedtoKoreshthatsheleftin1990,ninemonthsafterKoreshstarted
sleepingwithhermother,becauseshewastiredoftheabuse(ChildrenoftheCult:50).IntheWacoconfrontationbothsideshadonethingincommon:they
justifiedtheiractionsthroughthetropeoffamily.InatelevisedpressconferenceBillClintondefendedthedecisiontohaveFederalagentsmoveinontheDavidian
compoundintermsofthechildrenatrisk.HerelatedaconversationhehadwithAttorneyGeneralJanetReno:
Butintheend,thelastcommentIhadfromJanetRenoiswhenandItalkedtoheronSundayIsaid,NowIwantyoutotellmeoncemorewhyyoubelieve,notwhythey
believe,whyyoubelieveweshouldmovenowratherthanwaitsomemore.Andshesaid,Itsbecauseofthechildren.Theyhaveevidencethatthosechildrenarestillbeing
abusedandthattheyreinincreasinglyunsafeconditions,andthattheydontthinkitwillgetanyeasierwiththepassageof

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time.Youhavetotaketheirwordforthat.SothatiswhereIthinkthingsstand.(Clinton1993)

Meanwhile,DickGuerin,thelawyerforKoreshsmother,complainedthatthegovernmentsactionshadviolatedthesanctityoffamilylifeandtherighttoprivacy:
Atwhatpointdoessocietyhavearighttostepinandsayyouhavetoraiseyourfamilyourway?ItsapplyingYuppievaluestopeoplewhochoosetolivedifferently
(ChildrenoftheCult:50).Anythingcanhappenasfamilyorinitsname:recently,Argentineanpoliceraidedasexcultwhichheld268children.Whatdiditcall
itself?TheFamily(Nash1993).
BeyondRhetoric:Scholars,Experts,andtheNewConsensus
Thesehumanintereststorieswritlargeasnationaloreveninternationalcatastrophesarentthrownupbypopularcultureandthemassmediaalonetheyareproduced
byanendlessstreamofresearchers,expertwitnesses,professors,andgovernmentofficialswhoprofessalarmattheimminentcollapseoftheAmericanFamilyand
withittheentirebodypolitic.GovernmentpublicationsfromtheReaganWhiteHousesTheFamily:PreservingAmericasFuture(1987)tothebipartisanreport
oftheNationalCommissiononChildren,BeyondRhetoric:ANewAmericanAgendaforChildrenandFamilies(1991),andthereportoftheNational
CommissiononAmericasUrbanFamilies,FamiliesFirst(1993)havejoinednewandnotsonewpublicationsputoutbypoliticalthinktanksandacademicresearch
councils:fromPuttingChildrenFirst:AProgressiveFamilyPolicyforthe1990sbytheDemocraticLeadershipCouncilsProgressivePolicyInstitute,Freeto
BeFamily(1992)bytheReaganiteFamilyResearchCounciltothenationalplatformoftheCommunitarianNetworkandtheworkoftheacademicCouncilof
FamiliesinAmerica,fromDavidPopenoesDisturbingtheNest:FamilyChangeandDeclineinModernSocieties(1988)andSarA.Levitan,RichardS.Belous,
andFrankGallosWhatsHappeningtotheAmericanFamily?(1988)totheanthologyRebuildingtheNest:ANewCommitmenttotheAmericanFamily
(1990)editedbyDavidBlankenhorn,founderandpresidentoftheInstituteforAmericanValues.
Allofthesestudiespackaonetwopunchtheythrowyouoffbalancewithfrighteningtalesofnationaldeclineontheonehandandextendreassurancesontheother
thatyouarenotalone,thattheresanewmeetingofmindsbetweenleftandrightathand.ThereisHope.WritesneoliberalDavidPopenoe,referringtoFamilies
FirstandBeyondRhetoric:During

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thepastseveralyears,afragile,butimportantbipartisanconsensushasemergedamongbothpolicymakersandscholarsonthecentralchallengesoftheAmerican
family(1993).Heechoesdirectlytheclaimsofthelargelyneoconservativereport,FamiliesFirst:
Witnessafterwitnessregardlessofrace,gender,marital,oreconomicstatus,orpartisanaffiliationtoldtheCommissionthatfragmentationoffamiliesposesathreattothe
nation.Liberalandconservativescholarsagreethatthestrengthofthenationsfamilylifeisindicativeofthenationshealthandwellbeing.(FamiliesFirst:12)

TheNewConsensusisofcoursebeyondrhetoric,thusbeyondideology,yetstillfirmlyifgentlynormative,basedonexpertsocialscience:
Clearly,then,quiteapartfrompoliticalaffiliationorideologicalsympathy,currentscholarshipandbipartisanfindingsstronglyconfirmtheimportanceoftheintact,twoparent
hometochildrenandtothesocietyasawhole.Thisfindingdoesnot,ofcourse,disparageorcondemnthosewhofindthemselvesinotherfamilyarrangements,butisinstead
basedoncarefulconsiderationofsocialscienceresearchandthetestimonyofwitnessesregardingthebenefitsofthetwoparenthome.(FamiliesFirst:18)

Ofcourse.
ThestartlingpoliticalpossibilitiesaffordedbytheNewConsensusweremadeclearforalltoseeafterOprahWinfreystestimonytotheSenateJudiciaryCommittee,
whensheemergedaccompaniedbyStromThurmond,oneofthestaunchestsouthernconservatives.AccordingtotheNewYorkTimes,StromThurmond,South
CarolinaRepublicanandseniormemberofthecommitteelaterintroducedWinfreytothepress,holdingherhand,callingheragreatwoman(Mills1991:B1).E
pluribusunum.Therefrainreturnsoverandoveragainthatfamilyunitesusallandsetsasidedivisionsofraceandclass(andpresumably,gender).Theauthorsof
FamiliesFirstclaim:
Noristhefamilydebateacodedorindirectwayofdebatingissuessuchasraceorpoverty.Itisnotthesameasdebatingthepropersizeofgovernmentordebatingliberalism
versusconservatism,RepublicanversusDemocrat.Itisaboutthehealthofthenationsprimarysocialinstitution.(FamiliesFirst:11)

Allofusareaffected:FamilydisintegrationaffectsallAmericans,fromurbantorural,frompoortorich.AsonewitnesstoldtheCommission,

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Nofamilyisexemptfromthekindsofproblemsthataregoingoninthiscountryrightnow(FamiliesFirst:11).
UsandThem:WritingtheSocialBodythroughFamily
Sothedinisdeafening.Familiesaredeadanddyingallaroundusgoesthechorus.4 Ofcourse,somefamilyhouseholdsaredeaderthanothers.DanQuayleandother
entitledwhitemenandwomenbeforehimhavemadesureweunderstandthat.AllthosehouseholdsheadedbywomenintheAfricanAmericancommunity,those
BlackMurphyBrowns,nowtheresthecauseofthe1992LosAngelesriots(QuayleDeplores).5 AndwhenFederalJudgeJohnG.Davieshandeddownlight
sentencesinAugust1993toLAPDofficersPowellandKoonfortheRodneyKingbeating,bywayofjustificationhecitedthefactthattheaccusedpolicemenhad
familiestocareforwhereasKingwassimplyamanchargeddrunkdrivingandresistingarrest(Newton1993).Familyhasalwaysbeenanalibiifnotalicencefor
visitingsocialotherswithunremittingviolence.SuchracistthinkingistheculminationoftherevivalofscapegoatingBlackfamilyhouseholdsforthepovertyofAfrican
Americans.ItstartedupagainwithBillMoyerssteleviseddocumentaryentitled,TheVanishingBlackFamilyCrisisinBlackAmerica(broadcastJanuary26,
1986)andhasonceagaincastAfricanAmericansbeyondthepaleofAmericannessandacceptablehumanity.6 Thenthereisthewaveofantismokingadsthat
inundatedtheairwavesofCaliforniainwinterandspringof1993.Whentheydidnttargetsingleorworkingclasswomen,theytookaimatLatinos,asinthespotthat
featuredadulleyedLatinomansmokingcontinuouslyinfrontofthetvsetoblivioustothecoughingofthelittlegirlsittingnexttohim.Tonoonessurprise,then,a
comfortingconsensualusgiveswaytoanaggressiveusandthem.Amessageostensiblyabouthealthturnsouttobealwaysalreadyoneaboutclass,race,and
genderintheformoffamily:theworkingclassnonfamilialintruder(clearlytheloverofthegirlsmother)whothreatensnotjustthephysicalbutalsothemoralwell
beingofthehomeconstitutesawarningaddressedtotheLatinamotherwhotolerateshispresenceandhispresumablymaleworkingclassindifferencetomattersof
healthandcareofchildren.7 InthemouthsofthedefendersoftheNewConsensus,familyandhealtharethekinderandgentlercodewordsof80sand90s
socialconservatismreplacingthesternlawandordersloganthatpunctuatedspeechesbyGeorgeWallaceandRichardNixoninthe60sand70s.
Theserecentexamplestipusofftohowthisdiscourseoperates,namely,

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thathandwringingandexpressionsofalarmoverthedeclineordeathofTheFamilyhavingalwaysbeenatacticforreinscribingandprotectingthesocallednormative
humanityof(straight)uppermiddleclasswhitesthroughstigmatizingsocialothersforlackoffamily.AsGeorgesCanguilhemremarkedaboutnormsand
normativity,
Thenormalisthenatoncetheextensionandtheexhibitionofthenorm.Itincreasestheruleatthesametimethatitpointsitout.Itasksforeverythingoutside,besideandagainst
itthatstillescapesit.Anormdrawsitsmeaning,functionandvaluefromthefactoftheexistence,outsideofitself,ofwhatdoesnotmeettherequirementitserves.Thenormis
notastaticorpeaceful,butadynamicandpolemicalconcept.(1989:239)

AndIwanttoarguethatwhilesuchanimperializingdynamicbetweenselfandother,betweenthenormalandthepathologicalhasalwayslainattheheartofthe
familialdiscourse,ithasrarelyresultedinsimpleandstablesocialgeographiesonthecontrary,Iwanttosuggestthatthisdiscourseofanxietyandfearhasproduced
socialdistinctionsandidentitiesonlyinsofarastheyaremadetoseemweak,permeable,andvulnerabletoviolationorcolonizationbytheoutside.Thethemis
alwayspotentiallylurkingwithinus.Thusitshouldcomeasnosurprisethatsinceitsinceptionfamilialdiscoursehasalwaysconstructedthehumanizingfamilyas
underthreatandinneedofconstantnurturing,surveillance,andpublicandprivateintervention.
Genealogies:CultureWarsandKeepingHumanBeingsHuman
Thisdiscourseisactuallyaveryoldstory(Reid1993).Ithasagenealogyworthtracing,ifonlybriefly,thatstretchesbacktotheeighteenthcenturywhenthe
normativefamilyhouseholdwasfirstelaboratedandinscribedonthesocialbodyofWesternEuropeansocietiesandtheircolonies.Thenasnow,thereinlaythesense
ofwhatitmeanttobehuman,anditwasthedomesticfamilyanditssentimentalnarrativesthatgroundedandlentmeaningtoallothersocialarrangements.As
TheodoreRooseveltwastoputitatamuchlaterdate:
Butitisthetasksconnectedwiththehomethatarethefundamentaltasksofhumanity.Afterall,wecangetalongforthetimebeingwithaninferiorqualityofsuccessinother
lines,politicalorbusiness,orofanykindbecauseiftherearefailingsinsuchmatterswecan

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makegoodinthenextgenerationbutifthemotherdoesnotdoherduty,therewilleitherbenonextgeneration,oranextgenerationthatisworsethannoneatall.Inotherwords,
wecannotasaNationgetalongatallifwehaventtherightkindofhomelife.Suchalifeisnotonlythesupremeduty,butalsothesupremerewardofduty.Everyrightly
constitutedwomanorman,ifsheorheisworthherorhissalt,mustfeelthatthereisnosuchamplerewardtobefoundanywhereinlifeastherewardofchildren,therewardofa
happyfamilylife.(TheFamily:iv)

Astheeighteenthcenturydrewtoaclose,newfamilialandsexualidentitiessupersededothersocialandpoliticalonesbodiesbegantoreceivedifferentinscriptions.
Thequestionwasless,Whatisyourstation?orTowhatestate,clan,orsocialcastedoyoubelong?orWhoisyourmaster?butratherWhatkindoffatheror
motherareyou?Areyourchildrenhealthyandwellbehaved?Doyouloveyourparents?Whatareyourearliestchildhoodmemories?Sexualpractices
becameanobsessionandotherquestionsbegantobeasked:Whatdoyoudointhesecretofthenight?Doyoutouchyourself?Whatisyoursexuallifelike?
Whodoyoudesire?
Aculturewarbegantobewagedinthenameofthenewdomesticitybasedonheterosexualmonogamy,lovematches,andsentimentalintimacyfocusedonchildren.
Inwaysnotdissimilartopresentdayfamilialdiscourse,writerstriedtomobilizecitizensbyuncoveringenemieswithoutandwithinthehousehold.Now,inthelate
eighteenthcenturyandearlynineteenthcentury,thefirstgrouptofailthehumantestoffamilyinEuropeandNorthAmericawasofcoursethemetropolitanand
colonialaristocraciesandtheirwillfulmiddleclassimitators:theirwastefullifestylestheirbodilypracticeswerecastigatedasbeingutterlyinimicaltothenew
familyvalues.Attacksonarrangedmarriages,theforcedcelibacyofapprentices,servants,andRomanCatholicclergy,libertinage,mercenarywetnursing,andso
forthdiscreditedthenoblebodyofalluringsurfaces,power,andpleasureanditdelegitimatedthesocialandgenderrelationsforwhichthatbodyservedasrelayand
support.Elitewomenweresingledoutforlivingselfishlivesthatweretoofreeandforpreferringalifeofpublicpowerandsexualautonomytothecharmsofthe
endlessdailytasksofthenewchildcare.Andwritersaccusedmenofignoringtheirfamiliesandthrowingawaytheirvirileenergiesinsexualpleasure,gambling,and
lavishdinners.Philosophers,demographers,physicians,and,notleast,novelistsconcoctednarrativesthattoldmelodramatictalesofthelackofsocalledtruefamily
lifeamongthenobilityand

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ofhowtraditionalaristocraticsociety(especiallyitswomen)blockedthefruitionofnewdomesticfamiliesandrenewalofthenation.
Thiscenturylongculturewarculminatedinsubstitutingforthediscreditednoblebodyofsurfacesthebodyofdepthoftheliberalsubject.Thisnewbodyenclosed
legiblegenderdifference,heterosexuality,andfamilialsentimentandinteriority,universalhumanqualitiespresumablyavailabletooneandall,providedthatone
adoptedtheimperativesandpracticesofdomesticity.Itwasthatbodythatfamilialdiscourseatonceappealedtoandtriedtoproducethroughnarrativesof
endangereddomesticity.Anxiety,fears,andtearsbecamethehallmarksofanew,emergentfamilialsensibilityanddesire,ofanewsubjecthoodandcitizenship.8 It
wasthroughfamilyandthemiddleclassidentitiesitaffordedthatanewdemocraticimaginedcommunityofpostfeudalandpostrevolutionaryEuropeandUnited
Stateswasforged.AsSarahJ.Hale,AmericanauthorofthedomesticmanualMannersor,HappyHomesandGoodSociety(1868)putit,
Whatcomposesourcountry,andmakesitslife?Notitswideprairies,withtheirbillowsofundulatinggreennotitsloftymountains,withtheirandinexhaustibletreasuresofore
notourvastoceans,rollingrivers,norswellingstreams.Grandaseachandallofthesemaybe,theyarenotthecountryslife,thoughaffectingthatlife,notthecountryspower,
thoughincreasingthatpower:itstruelifemustresideintheHomeforitistheaggregateofhomeswhichmakeupthecountry,anditisfromthemthatallgoodmustflowwhich
governsandregulatesthenation.Hencetheimportanceofmakingourhomesthecenterofhappiness,usefulness,andintelligence.Thehigherthehomestandard,thehigherthe
influenceexertedbythosewhogoforthfromthathome.9(1972:11516,myemphasis)

Inthenineteenthcenturycametheturnofurbanworkers,disenfranchisedpeasants,theenslaved,andthecolonized:publichealthofficials,socialphilanthropists,
journalists,anthropologists,andpoliticiansconstructedthesegroupsandtheirbodiesasdisorderly,biologicallymisfit,devoidofanysenseoffamilylife,and,
eventually,aspathologicallydeviant.Therelentlessrepetitionoftheseculturalnarrativesdefinedtheliberalbodyofthewhitemetropolitanandcolonialmiddleclasses
againsteveryoneelse,andthemiddleclassesembodimentofdomesticitystoodasthesignoftheirexemplaryhumanity,andtheabsenceoffamilyamongthe
peasants,theurbanworkers,theenslaved,andthecolonizeddesignatedtheirsocialandsubjectiveexistenceasabject.SarahHale,asineverything,wasperfectly
clearaboutthis.Speakingoftheoriginal

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familyofAdamandEve,sheproclaimedthattheUnitedStatesManifestDestinywasfamilial:
ButoneraceretainstheEdenlawsofloveandhomeandinthatraceonlyisthefaithandtheworshipofthetrueGod.Fromthatracewerethefamiliesthatsettledandmadeour
Americanpeople.Intwocenturiesandahalf,thisNorthAmericanempirehasgainedpowerandplaceinthegreatfamilyofnations:comparedwithher,thoseoldcradlesof
civilizationandcentersofknowledgeandgloryAsiaandAfricaarenowonlyblanksinthelotofhumanity.(Hale1972:24)

However,becauseoftheseabjectgroups,itwasunderstoodthatthenewfamilylifewasaveryfragilething.Middleclassprivatelifewasrarelyexperiencedassecure
butunderconstantthreatfromwithout:thestreetcouldlurehusbandoradolescentawaywithpromisesofpleasureandambition,crowdscouldwellupin
revolutionaryfervorandswallowalivewholefamiliesandsocialclassestheuncertaintiesoftheworkplaceandmarketplaceendangeredthewellbeingofhonest
households,andbiologicalcontagionwasbornealonguponthebodiesoftheunwashed.Weakandvulnerableasitwasconstructedandasitisstillportrayedtoday,
thenormativefamilyanditshealthybodiesnonethelessstoodintheeyesofmanyapolitician,charityworker,andpublichealthofficerasthepillarofsocietyandthe
solebarrierstandingbetweensocialorderandanarchy.FranoisGuizot,LouisPhilippesprimeministerwhowasdeposedalongwithhiskinginthe1848revolution,
drewthefollowingconclusionsfromthepoliticalturmoilinhistreatise,OnDemocracy(1849),whichhewrotewhileinexile:
Thefamilyisnowmorethaneverthefirstelementandlastbulwarkofsociety....Ourgreatcities,theirhustleandbustleofbusinessandpleasure,andthetemptationsand
disturbancesthattheyspreadceaselessly,wouldsoonthrowsocietyinitsentiretyintoastateoffermentanddeplorablelaxityifdomesticlifeeverywherepresentthroughoutthe
territory,itscalmactivity,itspermanentinterests,anditsimmutabletiesdidnotopposethisperilwithsolidbarriers.(1849:13839,mytrans.)

ForGuizot,asformanynineteenthcenturywriters,maleandfemale,theregulativefamilyhouseholdprovidesanirreplaceablerefugeforthecultivationofhuman
sentimentandinteriorityweaponsoflastresortwithintheliberalbody:Virtuesaboundinthefamilyandgoodfeelingsinhearts.Wehavethewherewithaltofight
againsttheevilwhichis

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devouringus(1849:15657).Ifyousubstitutethe1960sforthe1848Revolution,GuizotsdiscourseechoespronouncementsbyDanQuayle,GeorgeGilder,and
theChristianRightbutalsobyliberalproponentsoftheNewConsensusoftoday.10
Now,ifthereweremanypotentialenemiesstandingonthebordersofthedomesticfamily,justasmanyifnotmoreemergedtreacherouslyfromwithin:fromthelatter
halfofthenineteenthcenturyanddowntothepresent,psychiatrists,expertsofallkinds,andthemediahaveconstructednarrativesofmiddleclasshouseholdsalso
endangeredbywaywardhystericalmothersanddaughters,effeminatesons,unmarriablecousins,sexualperverts,emancipatedwomen,andmaniacalorimpotent
fathers.
Sincethenthedominantculturalnarrativeshavebeenoffamilylifedisruptedordestroyedbyallmannerofcauses,internalandexternal.Asaconsequence,in
everydaydiscourseslearnedandpopularnoonefamilyhousehold,profession,socialclass,genderidentity,orpoliticalarrangementstandsfreeofthedangersof
pathologicaldevianceorlapsesissuingfromwithinordescendingfromwithout.Inthisparanoiduniverseofdyingfamilyhouseholds,nothingissettled,onceandforall:
thefrontierbetweenthenormalandthepathologicalremainsshiftingandporousenoughsuchthatthreatstofamilymayeruptanytime,anywhere.Goodfathersmay
turnouttobeworkaholicsorworse,bisexuals,admiredteacherschildmolesters,dutifulmotherssicklyorintodaysupdatedversion,simplyasmokerandadrinker
(doingdrugsinthewombtitledanLATimeseditorial)11afavoritedaughtermayleadadoublelifeasaprostitute(thenineteenthcenturyversion)oronedaybea
pregnantrunaway(inthelatetwentiethcentury)orapromisingsonmaybesufferingfromteenagesyndrome.Familyandthesocialandgenderidentitiesthatturn
onitarealwaysalreadyinjeopardy,onthevergeofdisappearingforgood,andthusalwaysdesiredasanabsence.
Yetwhiletheeffectofthesestorieshasbeentodestabilizethedomesticfamily,onethinghasremainedconstant:familyanditsliberalbodyhaveremainedthevery
measureofthehuman,thatistosaythebedrockofacceptablesocialandindividualexistenceaccordingtothestraightwhitemiddleclass.Thishasalsobeenthe
doubleroleofpsychoanalysisfamilialistreduction(DeleuzeandGuattari1983:270)withrespecttobodiesandthedesirestheywerethoughttoenclose:as
Foucaultonceputit,thenewscienceofdesirecouldissueacalltothemiddleclassestobringtheirchildrentothepsychoanalystsoffice,fortheparentscouldrest
assuredthatwhattheywouldlearnwasthatatbottomwhatthewaywardchildrenreallydesiredallalongwasMommyDaddy(Foucault1980:113).

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TechnologiesofSubjectivityandtheSocial
Sothecrydeathofthefamilyisatimewornrefrainalmosttwocenturiesold.Itbeganlongbeforemassculturecirculatedthroughdailynewspapers,tv,and
physicianswaitingroomsithasamountedtoarelentlesscampaigntomakeandkeephumanbeingshumanthroughinscribinglackoffamilyonandbeneaththe
skinsofourbodies.Butfarfrombeingthefundamentalconditionofdesireandsubjectivity(asLacanianculturalcriticswouldhaveusbelieve),familyandlackare
nomorethanbanalbutstillpowerfuldiscursivemechanismsandtacticsforarticulatingmultiplebodies,desires,andsocialpracticesinspecificwaysaroundtheunitary,
normativepoleofdomesticity.Inthisfashiondothediscoursesofthedeclineordeathoftheregulativefamilyhouseholdconstituteamassivetechnologyofsubjectivity
andthesocial.
However,themobilizationofbodiesanddesiresforfamilyhasbeennolesspowerfulbecauseofitsdiscursiveconstruction.Indeed,itspowerisdiscursivetothe
core.Infamilialdiscoursetheproductionoffamilyasdesirablenormhasalwaysrequiredfreaksandoutcaststhatnamethenormindirectlybyvirtueoftheir
departurefromit.Thissideshowoffamilialothershashadtwopowerful,advantageouseffects.First,ithasallowedthenormtoremaininvisible,thusrenderingthe
normativefamilymoreimpervioustothevagariesofindividualandcollectiveexperienceortoempiricalrefutation.Asaconsequence,catastrophicprivateorsocial
eventshavetendednotsomuchtodiscreditfamilyastorenewcallsforitsprotectionandrevival.Second,itmaintainsthenormjustoutofreach,somethingforever
tobedesiredbutneverquiterealized.Thus,inconstantsurveillanceofourselvesandotherswhosnext?westokeourdesiresoffamilywithtalesofits
disruptionordeclineinhopethatsomedaywewillnonethelessgetitrightinourdailylives.Youmightsaythatinthiswaythesocalledmoderndomesticfamilyhas
neverseemedtofullyworkeitherithasbeenalwaysalreadyincrisis,internallyweak,andopentoinvasionbyoutsideforces.Butrarelyhavenarrativesofcrisis
beenturnedaroundinpublicdiscoursetocallthenormativefamilyhouseholdinquestion.AsGaryIndianaputit,speakingofchildabuseandtheantiabortionclimate,
Theconnectionisnevermadethatthecreationofafamilyisnotanautomaticordesirabledestinyofeverynormalperson,thatotherkindsoflivescouldbeequallyormore
fulfilling,orthatunwantedbabiesgrowuptobecomethebogeymenofcrimebecausetheywerevictimsofcrimefromthemomentofbirth.Instead,American

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cultureencouragestheuglywishthatallitsprebornfetuseswillcometoterm,andthatallthemaleswillgrowuptobeOliverNorth.(1990:14647)

WheresFamily?
Nowtoday,sociologistsarehardputtolocatethedomesticfamilyanditshumanbodies,anywhere.Theycantfinditevenamongthewhitemiddleclasses.Something
likelessthan14percentofhouseholdsintheUnitedStatesfulfilltheolddomesticnormofmalebreadwinner,femalehomemaker,andchildrenthefiguredropsto5
percentiftheadditionalfactorofneverhavingbeenmarriedbeforeisthrownin(Anderson:1987).Sowheresthefamilyifnotinthehousehold?NancyArmstrong,a
feministcritic,hasclaimedthatthemostpowerfulhouseholdistheonewecarryaroundinourheads(1987:251).Yeteventhedesiringbodiesofitsmembersseem
tobelessandlesssitesoffamilythesedays,thedriftofdesireissuchthathouseholdmembersareonlyplayingatOedipus,convincingfewerandfewerpeople.The
OedipalnarrativeofMommyDaddyMe,orbetterstillofthePhallus,isntfaringwelllately(DeleuzeandGuattari1983:356).Thissecrettruthofthehuman
subjectisdecidedlyathingofstraightmalesDeleuzeandGuattariwrite:
Thenewstravelsfastthatthesecretofmenisnothing,intruthnothingatall.Oedipus,thephallus,castration,thesplinterinthefleshthatwasthesecret?Itisenoughto
makewomen,children,lunatics,andmoleculeslaugh.Themorethesecretismadeintoastructuring,organizingform,thethinnerandmoreubiquitousitbecomes,themoreits
contentbecomesmolecular,atthesametimeasitsformdissolves.(1987:289)

Well,ifmembersinnerdesiresdontembodythehumanandthefamilialsowellanymorethenperhapswellhavetolookelsewhere:onefavoriteplaceovertheyears
ontvandinfilm(sinceLassie)havebeenhouseholdpets:lookingforfamilyfeelingorwanttoknowthebarometeroffamilyhealth?CuttopoochOedipusthereon
thecouchthatsmilesbroadlyorwhimpersasneedsbe.Butwecantakeitthatthisisnotagoodsignwhenanimals,asdomesticastheymaybe,areresponsiblefor
keepinghumanbeingshumanthroughfamily.
Still,astheculturewarshereandelsewheretestify,theolddomesticityhasalonglife.InthisregardtwoBritishfeminists,MichleBarrettandMaryMcIntosh,have
suggestedthatdomesticityanditsnormsarelesslikelytobeencounteredinthehomethaninthepublicsphere:theyremindusthatevenasdailypracticesdepart
fromtheregulativefamily,

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familyvaluesseemevermoreomnipresent:fromthedivisionoflaborandjobsegregationintheworkplace,schoolcurricula,insurancepolicies,healthcaredelivery,
welfareregulations,advertisements,andtravelbrochurestofilms,tvsoapoperas,newscasts,mailordercatalogs,etc.(1982:2834).Butthenagain,perhapsthatis
wherethesevalueshavealwaysbeenallalongandlesssoinhouseholds.CertainlymanyoftheexamplesIvepresentedinthisessaywouldseemtoconfirmthis.
HistorianStephanieCoontzsuggeststhatdailypracticesinthiscountryneverhaveembodiedthenormativefamily.12Inanycase,thisexplainsinpartthehysteriaover
liftingthebanonhomosexualsinthemilitaryonsomelevelmostrealize,ifonlydimly,thatdomesticitycantbecountedontoguaranteeheterosexualidentity.Therole
devolvesmoreandmoretootherpublicandprivateinstitutions.
Familyhasneverbeenaprivatematter.Thenormativefamilyhouseholdandthebodiesofitsmembershaveneverconstitutedeitherasanctuaryofvaluesand
relationsatasaferemovefromtheoutsideoradepthoffeelingandsentimentinoppositiontothepublicsphereandthebodiesofsocialothers.Rather,theyhave
alwaysbeenaprojectionfromasurfaceofinscription(paper,bodies,spaces)uponwhichdiscoursesoffamilyandliberalsubjectivityhaveattemptedtowrite
themselves.Family,likegender,doesntsimplyexistitmustbeanonstoppublicperformance.Onlynow,TheFamilyhasbeenturnedinsideout:tofindfamily
thesedaysyouhadbetterturnonthetv,runtocourt,gotoschool,attendaFamilyofPridegayandlesbianparadeinSouthernCalifornia,ormaybe,liketheyoung
parricidesofRushSprings,Oklahoma,stopbyMcDonalds.Orbetterstill,readsafersexpamphletsdistributedbytheSurgeonGeneralsoffice,mainstreamhealth
clinics,andhospitalsthere,theprocessofinscribingbodiesandspaceswithfamilyproceedsapacewithmurderousforcetheypromotethenotionthatsafe
sex[sic]actuallyexistsbutonlyamongmonogamous,heterosexualcouples(Patton1990:99104).Betterdeadthandeviant,Iguess.Inthisliteraturecollective
murdersuicideisintheoffing.Itmightjusthappen.Thedepthsofregulativehouseholdsandstraight,liberalsubjectsmaydiscloseatomb,notonlyforothers(anold
storyofthem)butalsoforus,theevermythicalgeneralpopulation.
IntheMeantime
Inthepresentstateofaffairs,then,itshouldcomeasnosurprisethattheDanQuaylesareatitagain,betheyneocons,neoliberals,orevenprogressives,editorsof
Commentary,theNewYorkTimesorDissent.Thesearenastytimes.However,asHalberstamandLivingstonhavesuggested

Page194

intheintroductiontothisvolume,someofthemmayhavelosttheirtouch:forexample,ratherthansimplydenouncingothersfornotembodyingthehumanqualitiesof
standarddomesticity,theRepublicansinthe1992conventionmadethemistakeofalsotryingtodefinefamily,thatis,theymadetheirversionoffamilyvisibleand
bysodoingforcedviewerstocompareittotheirownsituation.Viewersmayhavedecidedthatitssimplynotforthem.Thedeathofthefamilymaynolongertugat
theheartstringsanymoreorcausepeopletosweatintheoldwaywhilewatchingtvathomeorflippingthroughmagazinesinthedoctorsoffice.Perhapsmanyare
findingitboring.Orthoughsomepeoplemayfindittooglibtosaymaybepeopleareontotheolddiscourse:itsjustamechanismforscaringpeopleduringhard
timesandfortellingthemwhattodoandwhotobe.Perhapsmoreandmoreofthemarestakingtheiridentitieselsewhereinotherdiscoursesandbodilypractices.
Howeveryoulookatit,whatisgoingonnowisnosimplematter.Youcanarguethatitisvirtuallyimpossibletoevokehouseholdandsexualpracticeswithoutsome
referencetoconventionalnorms.Butifnormativediscoursehasbeguntoimplode,ifwearereachingsomepostfamilial,posthumanmoment,whatistheretosay?
DeleuzeandGuattarimakeasuggestiveanswerwhentheyclaimthatthereareonlyinhumanities,humansaremadeexclusivelyofinhumanities,butverydifferent
ones,ofverydifferentnaturesandspeeds(1987:190).Ifthenonhumandwellsinthehouseofhumanity,whatnext?Whathappenswhenthesideshowoffamilial
queersistheonlyshowintown?Whenzombiesarethemajorityamongtheliving?Whatmightbeathandisnotsomuchaselfcontradictionthatgivesbirthtoa
newera,muchlessaselfdeconstructionasalateralshiftintoadifferentspace,thatofdiversity,withdifferentdynamics,affects,andintensities,verbalandbodily.
Lackoffamilywillbemissedonlymildlyexceptbytheoldgatekeepersofthehumanwhosepowerandarsenalofculturalandinstitutionalweaponsremain
frighteninglyreal.
Somebodies,somehouseholds.BodieswithoutLaw,householdswithoutnorm.Postmodernfamilieswouldnotbefamiliesatall.Oronlypartiallybutwho,when?
Somemembersbutnotothers?Somepartofthedaybutnotthefullday?Whenoneeats,sleeps,orfornicates?Whenoneworks(forthehousehold?)?Andwhatof
thebody?Wheninvestmentdriftsawayfromthemasterorgans,youknowitcangoalmostanywhere.
Newbodiesareatlargeandathome.Theyarelessandlessprisonersofthesoul,ofthosesexualizedchildhoodmemoriesthatarethetruthofourselvesto
socialexperts,teachers,andpoliticiansandtowhichtheymayappealintimesofsocialcrisis.Thoseinnerwellspringsofsocialdiscipline,inscribedinthedepthsof
theliberalbody,aredrying

Page195

up.ThatswhatChristopherLaschwassurelyreferringtobyhislamentoftheatrophyofaffect(1978).Hewasnttalkingofaffectassuchorofintensitiesbutrather
offamilialsentimentanditsmechanismsofnostalgiaandguilt.13Thosebodiesstillgenderedfemale(lesbian,straight,orqueer)asklessandlessofmeninpower
andseekevenlesstopleasethemandtheyrarelylookuptothosewomenwhoemploy,supervise,andmanage.Crossdressingandgenderbendingarethenewest
gamesintown.Andtattoosarethreateningtoedgeoutmakeupandclothesasselfinscriptionsofchoice.Thesebodilypracticesaretopleaseyourselfandarelateral
pleasuresforotherswhocancollectthemastheywishbut,here,voyeurismisnolongerguiltytheft.Ofthemenstraightmalesarealwaysslowesttochangebuteven
thensomearetryingacasualindifferencetothedangersandexcitementofpatriarchalabuseandrecruitment.Theydontexpectandnolongerdesirethesameold
initiationandtutelage.Blooddebtsarelosingtheirpowertofascinate.
Oncetheygetout,thesebodiesarentinterestedingoinghomeverymucheither,forfamilyhouseholdsarenthavensinaheartlessworldassomeclaim(Lasch
1977).Reflectinguponthefactthatmostmurdersarecommittedbyfriendsandfamilymembers,SueGraftonsdetectiveKinseyMillhonemused,achillingthought
whenyousitdowntodinnerwithafamilyoffive.Allthosepotentialkillerspassingtheirplates(1987:6).14Itssaferinthestreetsamongstrangerswherequeer
zombiesroam.
Notes
IhavebenefitedfromcontinuingconversationswithLindaBrodkeyandLisaBloomwhoseinterestinnewformsofwritinghascruciallyshapedsuccessivedraftsof
thisessay.
1.ForthereportscallforthecreationofaFamilyStrengthIndexbytheCensusBureauseeFamiliesFirst:6263.
2.TheMenendezbrotherscasetriedinLosAngelespresentedtheinvertedimageofthisone:LyleandErikMenendezshottheirwealthyparentswithshotgunsover
10times.Theprosecutionaccusedthemofkillinginordertoconsumewhereastheyclaimedthattheyhadbeenrapedbytheirfatherandkilledoutoffearfortheir
lives.Thedefenseseemstohaveworked,forthetrialendedwithtwohungjuries.SeeAbrahamson1993:A1.
3.OntoxicparentsseeForward1989.
4.Thisrepeatedstressonthetwoparenthouseholdleavesitsmembersinapositionofextremevulnerabilityfromthisperspective,accordingtoStephanieCoontz,it
doesnttakemuchtosendindividuals,especiallychildren,andentirehouseholdsspiralingtotheirruin:Itmeansthatanychildisonlyone

Page196

death,onedivorce,onebloodtestawayfromhavingnothing(Coontz1992:230).
5.EvenpresumablyliberalpublicationsliketheAtlantichavelentamplespacetowriterswhodefendQuaylespositioninthenameoftheNewConsensussee
Whitehead1993andmostrecentlyHealthandHumanServicesSecretaryDonnaShalala,oneofthemostliberalmembersoftheClintonAdministration,whenasked
whetherMurphyBrownwasrightinbearingachild,replied,Idontthinkanyoneinpubliclifetodayoughttocondonechildrenbornoutofwedlock...evenifthe
familyisfinanciallystable.SeeEaton1994andtheapprovingLosAngelesTimeseditorialTheInstantFormulaforPoverty.
6.Thefirstwaveofscapegoatingactuallybeganin1965withthepublicationoftheLaborDepartmentstudy,TheNegroFamily:TheCaseforNationalAction,
directedbythethenliberalHarvardsociologistDanielPatrickMoynihan.OnMoynihansreportandscapegoatingBlackfamilyhouseholdsseeScapegoatingand
Coontz1992,ch.10.Morerecently,NewsweekproclaimedthatanewconsensusamongscholarsnowvindicatesMoynihansoriginalthesisitwasfeaturedasa
lengthycoverstory,WorldwithoutFathers:TheStruggletoSavetheBlackFamilythatcontainedtwoarticles,EndangeredFamily(pp.1627)andProtecting
theChildren(pp.2829)accompaniedbynolessthaneighthumanintereststoriesseeWorldwithoutFathers.Finally,Moynihansrevivedthesisisnow
embodiedinthe1994Clintonwelfarereformbillthatpunishesrecipientmothersforhavingmorechildren(eventhoughtheirhouseholdsaveragefewerchildrenthan
thenationalmean)whentheMarylandNAACPvotedtostudyClintonsbill,itwasinterpretedbythetriumphantLosAngelesTimesasalongoverduecapitulation
ofAfricanAmericanleaderstoMoynihansfactsseetheeditorialMoynihantheProphet.
7.IwanttothankLindaBrodkeyandGeorgeMariscalfortheiracuteinsightsintoreadingthisad.
8.FortheUnitedStatesconsultDEmilioandFreedman1988andCoontz1988forGreatBritainseeespeciallyWeeks1981andArmstrong1987forFrancesee
Reid1993.
9.IwanttothankNicoleTonkovichforbringingthisbooktomyattention.
10.ForahelpfulsynopsisoffamilialthinkingbytheNewRightintheU.S.andU.K.consultAbbottandWallace1993.
11.SeeDoingDrugs.
12.SeeCoontz1992.BothofCoontzsbooks(Coontz:1988,1992)areexemplaryintheircorrosiveempiricismtheydispelonceandforallanysimple,linear
notionoffamilyhouseholdhistoryfortheUnitedStatesandtheideathatanyonefamilyhouseholdwasembodiedacrossallcommunitiesandsocialclasses.
Normalizingnarrativesofprivatelifesimplycannotaccountforthesheercomplexityanddiversityofhouseholdarrangementsfromcolonialtimesdowntoourdayin
differentclasses,regions,andcommunities.TheOzzieandHarrietidealwasatransientmomentatbestinpostWorldWarII

Page197

middleclasssuburbia.Inmyviewwhatheraccountomitsishowdiscourseshavenonethelessconstructedadominantnormthathascontinuouslyarticulatedbodies,
socialrelations,andsubjectivitiesintermsofmiddleclassdomesticityforalmost200years.Inshort,sheoverlooksthedistinctpossibilitythatfamilyhasalways
existednormatively,andevenespeciallyso,whiledailypracticeswereatvariancewithitsstricturesandimperatives.
13.However,theselfesteemmovementmayoffernewhopetowelfareactivists,socialexperts,andgovernmentofficialsdespairingofbeingabletodiscipline
citizensseeCruikshank1993.
14.Somerecentstatisticsonrapeoffernoreassuranceseither.Arevisioniststudyhasclaimedthatonly22percentofrapesarecommittedbystrangers29percent
bynonrelativesknowntothevictims9percentbyaboyfriendorformerboyfriend16percentbyarelativenotoftheimmediatefamily11percentbyafatheror
stepfather9percentbyahusbandoraformerhusbandseeSurveyShows.
WorksCited
Abbott,Pamela,andClaireWallace.1992.TheFamilyandtheNewRight.London:PlutoPress.
Abrahamson,Alan.1993.LyleMenendezAdmitsLies,InsistsHeKilledinFear.LosAngelesTimes,22Sept.1993:A1.
Anderson,Lauren.1987.PropertyofSameSexCouples:TowardaNewDefinitionofFamily.JournalofFamilyLaw26.2(Mar.1987):35772.
Armstrong,Nancy.1987.DesireandDomesticFiction:APoliticalHistoryoftheNovel.NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress.
Barrett,Michle,andMaryMcIntosh.1982.TheAntiSocialFamily.London:Verso.
Canguilhem,Georges.1989.TheNormalandthePathological.Trans.CarolynR.FawcettwithRobertS.Cohen.NewYork:Zone.
Carter,Bill.1992.NetworksUniteonChildAbuse.NewYorkTimes,26Aug.1992,lateed.:C13.ChildrenoftheCult.Newsweek,17May1993:4850.
Clinton,PresidentBill.1993.PresidentialNewsConferenceofApril20,1993.WeeklyCompilationofPresidentialDocuments29.16(April26,1993):625.
Coleman,BrendaC.1993.StudySays1in50KidsMayHaveJailedParent.SanFranciscoExaminer,11Aug.1993:A10.
Coontz,Stephanie.1988.TheSocialOriginsofPrivateLife.London:Verso.
.1992.TheWayWeNeverWere:AmericanFamiliesandtheNostalgiaTrap.NewYork:BasicBooks.
Corwin,Miles.1993.ToCatchaKiller.LosAngelesTimes,11Aug.1993:B1.
Cowley,Geoffrey.1993.WhosLookingaftertheInterestofChildren?Newsweek,16Aug.1993:54.

Page198

Cruikshank,Barbara.1993.RevolutionsWithin:SelfGovernmentandSelfEsteem.EconomyandSociety22.3(Aug.1993):32744.
DadKillsWife,TwoKids.NewHavenRegister,12July1993:8.
DeathWish:TheDayofJudgment.Newsweek,3May1993:2231.
Deleuze,Gilles,andFelixGuattari.1983.AntiOedipus.Vol.1ofCapitalismandSchizophrenia.Trans.RobertHurley,MarkSeem,andHelenR.Lane.
Minneapolis:UniversityofMinnesotaPress.
.1987.AThousandPlateaus.Vol.2ofCapitalismandSchizophrenia.Trans.BrianMassumi.Minneapolis:UniversityofMinnesotaPress.
DEmilio,John,andEstelleB.Freedman.1988.IntimateMatters:AHistoryofSexualityinAmerica.NewYork:HarperandRow.
DoingDrugsintheWomb.Editorial.LosAngelesTimes,18Sept.1993:B7.
Eaton,WilliamJ.1994.ShalalaRevivesMurphyBrownPregnancyIssue.LosAngelesTimes,15July1994:A1,A22.
FamiliesFirst.1993.ReportoftheNationalCommissiononAmericasUrbanFamilies.Washington,D.C.
TheFamily:PreservingAmericasFuture.1987.AReporttothePresidentfromtheWhiteHouseWorkingGroupontheFamily.Washington,D.C.
Forward,Dr.Susan,withCraigBuck.1989.ToxicParents:OvercomingTheirHurtfulLegacyandReclaimingYourLife.NewYork:Bantam.
Foucault,Michel.1980.AnIntroduction.Vol.1ofTheHistoryofSexuality.NewYork:Vintage.
Grafton,Sue.1987.AIsforAlibi.NewYork:Bantam.
Guizot,Franois.1849.Deladmocratie.Paris:VictorMasson.
Hale,SarahJ.1972.Mannersor,HappyHomesandGoodSocietyAlltheYearRound.1868.Rpt.NewYork:ArnoPress.
Indiana,Gary.1990.BloodBrothers.InDemocracy:AProjectbyGroupMaterial.Ed.BrianWallis.Seattle:BayPress,14147.
TheInstantFormulaforPoverty.Editorial.LosAngelesTimes,16July1994:B7.
Lasch,Christopher.1977.HaveninaHeartlessWorld:TheFamilyBesieged.NewYork:BasicBooks.
.1978.TheCultureofNarcissism:LifeintheAgeofDiminishingExpectations.NewYork:Norton.
LeavingTwoHomeAlone,ParentsAreHeld.NewYorkTimes,30Dec.1992,lateed.:A10.
Mills,David.1991.Oprah,ChildrensCrusader.WashingtonPost,13Nov.1991:A1.
MotherGoestoJailforBabyFoodTampering.FDAConsumer26.7(Sept.1992):44.
MoynihantheProphet.LosAngelesTimes,14March1994:B6.
Nash,NathanielC.1993.ArgentinesFree268ChildrenReportedlyHeldbySexCult.NewYorkTimes,3Sept.1993,natl.ed.:A1.
Newton,Jim.1993.Koon,PowellGet21/2YearsinPrison.LosAngelesTimes,5Aug.1993:A1.
Patton,Cindy.1990.InventingAids.NewYork:Routledge.

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PleasforProtectionofClinicsFollowShootingofAbortionist.SanDiegoTribune,21Aug.1993:A11.
Popenoe,David.1993.ScholarsShouldWorryabouttheDisintegrationoftheAmericanFamily.ChronicleofHigherEducation,14April1993:A48.
QuayleDeploresErodingValuesCitesTVShow.LosAngelesTimes,20May1992,SanDiegoCountyed.:A1.
Reid,Roddey.1993.FamiliesinJeopardy:RegulatingtheSocialBodyinFrance,17501910.Stanford:StanfordUniversityPress.
ScapegoatingtheBlackFamily.Nation,2431July1989(SpecialIssue).
ShatteredTrust:TheShariKarneyStory.NBC,27Sept.1993.
Smothers,Ronald.1992a.BigMolestationTrialNearsItsClose.NewYorkTimes,23March1992,lateed.:A18.
.1992b.DayCareOwnerIsConvictedofChildMolesting.NewYorkTimes,23April1992,lateed.:A16.
.1993a.InaDayCareCase,NewQuestions,FewAnswers.NewYorkTimes,23July1993,natl.ed.:B9.
SurveyShowsNumberofRapesFarHigherthanOfficialFigures.NewYorkTimes,24March1992,lateed.:A14.
Timnick,Lois.1990.BuckeyJuryDeadlocksMistrialIsDeclared.LosAngelesTimes,28July1990:A1.
Verhovek,SamHowe.1993.TownRalliesBehindBoysWhoKilledTheirFather.NewYorkTimes,25July1993,natl.ed.:19.
Weeks,Jeffrey.1981.Sex,Politics,andSociety:TheRegulationofSexualitysince1800.London:Longmans.Whitehead,BarbaraDafoe.1993.
DanQuayleWasRight.Atlantic271.4(April1993):4784.
Williams,Lance.1993.RacistAdmits87Slaying.SanFranciscoExaminer,11Aug.1993:A1.
WorldwithoutFathers:TheStruggletoSavetheBlackFamily.Newsweek,30Aug.1993:1629.

PARTIV:
TERMINALBODIES

Page203

TEN
ReadingLikeanAlien:PosthumanIdentityin
RidleyScottsAlienandDavidCronenbergsRabid
KellyHurley
ThegeneralconcernofthischapteriswhatScreenidentified,ina1986specialissuetitle,asthecinemaofBodyHorror:ahybridgenrethatrecombinesthe
narrativeandcinematicconventionsofthesciencefiction,horror,andsuspensefilminordertostageaspectacleofthehumanbodydefamiliarized,renderedother.
Bodyhorrorseekstoinspirerevulsionandinitsownway,pleasurethroughrepresentationsofquasihumanfigureswhoseeffect/affectisproducedbytheir
abjection,theirambiguation,theirimpossibleembodimentofmultiple,incompatibleforms.Suchposthumanembodimentsareliminalentities,occupyingbothterms(or
rather,existingintheslashbetweenthem)oftheoppositionhuman/nothuman.IwillfocusonposthumanembodimentinDavidCronenbergsRabid(1977)and
RidleyScottsAlien(1979),readingtheseastextsthatworktoconfoundandexceedthebiological,sexual,andpsychiccategoriesthroughwhichwetraditionally
constructahumanidentity.
BodyHorrorasdescribedaboveisnothingnewincinemarepresentationsofnotquitehumanembodimentscanbeabundantlyfoundinmidcenturyhorror/SF,in
suchfilmsasTheFly(1958),CreaturefromtheBlackLagoon(1954),TheAlligatorPeople(1959),TheCreepingUnknown(1956),TheSlimePeople
(1962),andcountlessothers.However,thereseemstobesomecriticalconsensusthatbodyhorrorhasturneditselfupseveralnotchesinrecentdecades,1
manifestingamoreluridsensationalismsincethe1970s,thetimeofRabidandAlien.Oneseesatendencytowardevermoredisgustingcontent(thecannibalismfilms
ofGeorgeA.

Page204

Romero,WesCraven,andTobeHooper),evermoresadisticviolence(theFridaythe13thandHalloweenseries),evermoregraphic,painstakinglyrendered
corporealtransformations(TheHowling,AnAmericanWerewolfinLondon,both1981),evermoregrotesqueandunspeakableembodiments(JohnCarpenters
1982remakeofTheThing,Cronenbergs1986remakeofTheFly).
Asmychoiceofadjectivesinthelastsentenceismeanttoillustrate,recentbodyhorror,thoughithasmetwitharespectableshareofcriticalattention,hasnotalways
metwithapproval.PeteBoss,forexample,arguesthatthebodilydestructionofthemodernhorrorfilm,comparedwiththemorerestrainedhorrorofthepast,is
oftencasualtothepointofrandomnessdevoidofmetaphysicalimport,itisfrequentlysqualid...[and]mechanicallyroutineinitsexecution...(16).Modern
bodyhorror,bythisaccount,ismeaningless,excessive,gratuitousandassuchitmaybeharmfultotheconsumeraswell.HarveyR.Greenbergclaimsthathorror
beyondpsychologicaltolerancecancelsenjoyment....Incruelcinema,anypossibilityforahealingcatharsisisdeliberatelysacrificedinfavorofoverwhelmingthe
viewerscapacitytoendurepsychicpain(84,85).
Thesheerlyhorrificqualityofbodyhorror,however,hasbeenjustifiedwithinanideologicalframework.FilmslikeTheTexasChainsawMassacre(1974),TheHills
HaveEyes(1977),andRomeroszombietrilogyhavebeenpraisedasscathingcritiquesofAmericanconsumerismandoverinvestmentinthenuclearfamily.2
Alternatively,evenwhenbodyhorrorfailstodeliversuchacritiqueorcontradictsandunderminesitsownattemptstoforwardaprogressiveagendaitsvery
failurecanbesaidtorevealthemechanismsofresistancethatholdnormativeculturalinstitutionsinplace.Alienhasbeentheobjectofanextraordinaryamountof
analysisalongtheselines,asatextthatinitiatesbutcannotfollowthroughonaMarxistand/orfeministcritiqueofAmericanculture.Withintheseterms,thehorrorfilm
servesasadocumentoftheculturalunconscious.Thetextmustbepsychoanalyzed:itsapparentcontentmustbestrippedaway,itsrepressedcontentmustbe
uncoveredandinterrogated,inorderthatwemayunderstandtherealfearsthathorrormediatesforproducerandconsumer.
Ishouldstateherethat(forthespaceofthischapteratleast)Iamnotinterestedinthepoliticsofbodyhorror,progressiveorotherwise.Infact,itismycontentionthat
thehorrorfilmhasbeenaskedthequestionWhatareyourepressing?toooften,totheexclusionofotherquestionsthatthereadingattendingtooscrupulouslytothe
displacedideologicalcontentofthehorrorfilm,likethereadingthatdismissesitassqualid,fails

Page205

totakeintoaccountwhatthehorrorfilmcanaccomplishthatothergenrescannot.3
Thenarrativetoldbybodyhorroragainandagainisofahumansubjectdismantledanddemolished:ahumanbodywhoseintegrityisviolated,ahumanidentitywhose
boundariesarebreachedfromallsides.Oneneedstoplacethisnarrative,andtheimagesfromwhichitisgenerated,withinthediscourse(andculture)of
postmodernity,particularlyasthatdiscoursetheorizesthebreakdownofhumanspecificityandtheerosionofhumanidentity,embodiedandotherwise.HereIam
concernedlesswiththereputedpostmodernfragmentationofhumanidentitythanwithitsreconfigurationthroughthepluralizationandconfusionofbodilyforms.In
horrorfilms,withtheirstandardfiguresofthehuman/nothuman(alien,mutant,cyborg,psychopath),thetropeofbodilyambiguationhashardenedvirtuallyintoafilmic
convention.Atthesametime,thesophisticatedspecialeffectstechnologiesthathaverecentlytransfiguredthegenreandindeed,theveryoutrageousnessofagenre
whoselegitimategoalsareshockanddisgustmeansthatthehorrorfilmisabletoeffectaspectacularvisualstagingofbodilyambiguationthatcanonlybe
entertainedconceptuallyintheoreticaldiscoursesonpostmodernity.Iwishtotakethehorrorfilmliterallyforthemoment,focusingonmonstrosityasspectaclerather
thanmetaphor,andonbodyhorrorasaspeculativenarrativethatsetsoutneweconomiesofidentificationanddesire,ratherthanleadingusback,inallegorical
fashion,totheoneswealreadyknowtoowell.Iamnotinterestedinhowhorrorhelpsusmanageourfears,butinhowithelpsustoimagineotherwise,outsideofthe
parametersofthehuman,initsgenerationofposthumanembodimentsbothhorrificandsublime.4
PsychoideologicalReadingsofHorror
Afairlystandardlineonhorroristhatthegenreenablesitsconsumerstoconfront,temporarilyandvicariously,theirmostbasicfearsand/orunconsciousdesires.For
example,weenjoywatchingaliensandaxemurderersrendhumanvictimsfromlimbtolimb,orwatchinghumansubjectsundergoprolongedandobscenebodily
metamorphoses,becausethisenablesustoacknowledgeourowndreadofthedeath,disease,mutilation,andothertransformationsthatmayovertakeusorourloved
ones.Alternatively,ifweidentifywiththemonsterandnotthevictim,viewingthefilmmayservetoventviolentimpulsesthatcouldotherwiseeruptelsewhere,andless
safely.Theincursionofmonstrosityinthehorrortextrepresentsareturnoftherepressed,offearsanddesirestoointolerableto

Page206

beexamineddirectly.Likeitscloserelativethenightmare,thehorrortextclothestherepressedcontentsoftheunconsciousinphantasmaticnarrativeandspectacle,
suchthattheymaybebothrecognizedanddisavowed.Horrorfilms,inotherwords,serveascheaptherapy.Oneenjoystheincursionofmonstrosity/theunconscious
fromthesafedistanceofonesownseatandparticularlywhenthefilmeffectsdefinitiveclosure(themonsterkilledandnormalityrestored),onegoeshomeorturns
offtheVCRrefreshed,inoculated,forthemoment,againstthepeskyunconscious.
Forthemoment,Iwilltakenoteofthreebasicassumptionsthatenablethismodel:first,thechieffunctionofthegenreistoinitiatecatharsisforthespectatorsecond,
thespectatorsprimaryrelationtothetextinvolvesidentification(anditsconcomitant,disavowal)andthird,thespectatorasconceivedisfullyinvestedinadiscrete
andstablehumanidentity.Theseassumptionsalsounderliethoseargumentsthatdeploypsychoanalyticmethodologiesinordertoperformanideologicalreadingof
horror.Thismovetakesusfromtherealmofgeneralhumanfearsanddesirestothatofsocially,historicallyspecificones.Withinsuchareading,culturalrepressions
areroughlysimultaneouswiththerepressionsnecessitatedforindividualsubjects,sothatthetypes,frequency,anddegreesofoutrightmonstrosityoccurringinhorror
filmserveasindicestothecontentsofwhatmightbecalledtheculturalunconscious.
AnotableandinfluentialexpositionofthisargumentcanbefoundinRobinWoodsMarxianFreudiananalysisofthehorrorfilmthatservesasintroductiontothe
1979collectionAmericanNightmare.5 Wood,workingfromthedistinctionelaboratedbyGadHorowitz,setstoonesidethephenomenonofbasic
repression(theprocessofoedipalizationthattransformstheinfantilebody,governedonlybydrives,intoaprotosubjectreadytobeinsertedintothesocialorder),
heredismissedasuniversal,necessaryandinescapable.Hefocusesinsteadonthesurplusrepressionrequiredtotransformthisprotosubjectintoanobedientand
functionalmemberofitsculture.Undercapitalism,thismeansthediscipliningofnonroutinizedsexualandcreativeenergiesthatmightpreventthesubjectfrom
becomingtheidealcapitalistsubject,asexuallymonotonousandautomatonlikeworker(RobinWood79).Socialdisciplining(theagentofwhichisnotspecified
here)ensuresthatsuchenergiesarereroutedtotheunconscious.
Ofcourse,theydonotliequiescentthere.Therepressedreemerges,amongotherthings,throughthemechanismofdisplacement:Whatisrepressed(butnever
destroyed)intheself[is]projectedoutwardinordertobehatedanddisowned(9).Thevehicleforthismechanismwillbethoseindividualsorgroupsdiscreditedby
orperceivedasinimicaltothe

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dominantculturewithinWesterncapitalism,thesegroupsincludewomen,theproletariat,nonwhites,andnonheterosexuals(910).Inotherwords,thecontentsof
theindividualunconsciouswillbedischargedalongthechannelslaidoutbyanormativizingculture,whichdisallowscertaindesiresandpractices,butadmitsthemas
thepropertyofcertaindisruptiveOthers,whomthenormativesubjectisgivenlicensetodespise.
Woodthussetsthestageforaculturalpoeticsofthehorrorfilm:centralto[thegenre]istheactualdramatizationofthedualconcepttherepressed/theother,inthe
figureofthemonster.Onemightsaythatthetruesubjectofthehorrorgenreisthestruggleforrecognitionofallthatourcivilizationrepressesandoppresses...
(10).Thatis,thefilmicmonsterservesasanexpressionofthosedesiresthatthespectatorhasbeentrained,throughsocialconditioning,todisavow,andsincethe
monsterappearsintheguiseofother,thespectatorsdisavowalmaybeprolongedatthesametimethats/heenjoysvicariouslytheenactmentofhis/herrepressed
desire.
Opinionsastothepoliticalramificationsofhorrorascatharsisvary.Bysomeaccounts,horroritself,consideredformally,isaprofoundlyconservativegenre.6 It
deploysthesameplotstructureagainandagain,albeitfilledwithvariablecontent.Ideologicalnormativismisdisruptedbytheincursionofmonstrosityandallthatit
represents,butthedisruptionisonlytemporary,withthehorrortextbeingatsomepainstoexpelmonstrosityandeffectclosure,reconfiguringtheboundariesofthe
normative.Whenthemonsteriskilled,inotherwords,theunconsciouscontentitrepresentsissentpackingbacktotheunconsciousagain.Thespectator/culture
enjoysthedischargeofunconsciouscontent,butdoessowiththeunderstandingthatthismomentofcatharsiswillberigidlycontainedandtemporary.Thecultureis
abletoentertaindeviationsfromthenormonlybecausethishappensattheleveloffantasy,withintheemphaticallynotreal,becausethemomentofdischargeis
facilitatedbyadiscredited,lowgenre,andbecausetheaudienceisassuredthatthenormwillbereconstitutedbytheendofthefilm.Withinthisaccount,viewingthe
horrorfilmmakesusbadpeople,complacentsubjectsreacclimatedtoculturalnorms.
RobinWood,ontheotherhand,whileacknowledgingthepotentialconservatismofhorror(23),seesitasagenrewithtremendousliberatory,evenrevolutionary
potential.Sincethehorrorfilm,uniquely,servesasawindowontotheculturalandthusindividualunconscious,itallowsthespectatortorecognizethenatureand
extentofhis/herrepressed,monstrousdesires,acknowledgethefutilityanddangerofprojectingthesedesiresontosocialmarginals,andrenouncetheideological
normativizationthatmandatedbothrepressionandprojection.Themostdistinguished

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Americanhorrorfilms,evenintheirdespairandnegativity...areprogressiveinsofarastheirnegativityisnotrecuperableintothedominantideology,but
constitutes(onthecontrary)therecognitionofthatideologysdisintegration,itsuntenability,asallithasrepressedexplodesandblowsitapart(RobinWood23).
Indeed,theveryillegitimacyofthegenresincethehorrorfilmisoftendismissedasfrivolousmeansthatitcanperformthisdeprogrammingallthemore
successfully,forwhenthespectatorviewshorror,thecensor...islulledintosleepandrelaxesvigilance(13).
Bythisreading,thehorrorfilmhasamoraldutytoperform,andwillbejudgedresponsibleorirresponsibleonthebasisofthatperformance.Viewingthehorrorfilm
makesusbetterpeople,butonlywhenthehorrorfilmhasgoodintentionsandcarriesthemoutscrupulously.ManylatercriticsseemstohaveinheritedfromWoodthe
expectationthatthehorrorfilmbeprogressiveinitspolitics,levelingamoreorlessexplicitattackonsuchinstitutionsaspatriarchy,capitalism,racism,andsexual
conservatism.Thatthehorrorfilmfrequentlyaccomplishespreciselythis,instartlingandprovocativeways,isbesidethepointatthemoment.Inanycase,itavails
littlebeingmerelypopular(orworse,commercial),thehorrorfilmisusuallyfoundwantingwhenitmanifestsaninterestinsocialissues.
AlieninparticularhasattractedcriticalattentionaswhatGreenbergcallsasulliedpolemic(101):afilmthatmerelypretendstohaveaprogressiveagenda,whose
seeminglyradicalcritiqueofnormativesocialrolesandinstitutionsmasksanintractableunderlyingconservatism.Forexample:Alienseemstopurveyafeministpolitics
bybreakinggenderstereotypingandofferingRipleyasacharacterwhostougher,smarter,andmoreresourcefulthanallthemeninthefilm.However,thissurface
veneeroffeminismisbeliedbythefilmsdeeperandperhapsunconsciouslevelofmisogyny.TheAliens7 isagothicversionofthefemalebody,andthefilmin
generalmanifests,indisplacedfashion,thehorroranddreadofthefemalegenitaliathatFreuddescribedsoconciselyinhisessayontheuncanny.8 Alternatively,Alien
seemstolevelascathingcritiqueofcapitalism,depictingalienatedworkerssavagedbyboththepitilessCompanywhichregardsthemasexpendable,andthe
Companysdouble,thepitilessAlien,whichregardsthemasprey.However,thefilmundercutsitsownMarxistcritiquewitharecuperativehumanism:individualistas
opposedtocollectiveeffort,heroicasopposedtopoliticalaction,isthesolutiontocorporate/Alienpredations.9 Or,moresubtly,thefilmundercutsitsownMarxist
critiquewitharecuperativefeministnarrativeoftriumphantindividualism,theaudiencecheeringasRipley,themodernwoman,defeatstheAlienwithtechnological
savvy,weaponry,andpluck.10

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Mypurposehereisnottodiscountpsychoideologicalapproachestohorror,whichhaveproducedanynumberofextraordinarilyinterestinganalysesoffilms.My
concernisratherthatsuchapproacheshavedelimitedcriticalexpectationsofthehorrorfilm.Itisrevealedasagenreimpoverishedinitseffects:endlesslyand
monotonouslyenactingnarrativesofrepressionanddisplacementtoanunsophisticatedaudiencecompulsivelyreturningtothetheaterforyetanotherhealing(or
normativizing)catharsis.Moreimportantly,thepsychoideologicalapproachnecessitatesreadingtheimagesgeneratedbybodyhorrormetaphorically(theAlienequals
alienationundercapitalismtheAlienequalsthemonstrousfeminine),sothatthenarrativeasawholebecomesakindofallegory,witheachscenepointingtowardits
parallelmomentinthenarrativeofmultinationalcapitalism,orofthetraumasofoedipalization.Weareledrelentlesslybackintothelogicofthehumanthe
dehumanizationoflifeundercapitalism,thedramaofhumansexualdifferencedespitethefactthattheveryconventionsofthegenreallowittodismantlehuman
identityasaconstruct,andgeneratenewimaginings(howeverterrifying)ofthehuman/nothuman,ofthehumanbecomingother.Theresultisareadingthattakesthe
horrorfilmtooseriously,disallowingthespeculativeplayfulnessofthegenre,and,forthatreason,doesnottakeitseriouslyenough.
ThisSexWhichIsNotOne
MuchcriticalattentionhasbeengiventothesexingofAliensAlien.
Throughgrotesquelyemphasizederectileimages,thealieninsistentlyregisterspsychosexuallyasathreateningphallus:itunfoldsitselffromaseeminglyinertmassintoa
towering,topheavymenaceextendsitsinsidiouslytelescopingjawsslithersitstailupthelegofitsfearparalysedfemalevictim....(JamesH.Kavanaugh76)
In...Alien,wearegivenarepresentationofthefemalegenitalsandthewombasuncannyhorrificobjectsofdreadandfascination....Thecreatureisthemothersphallus,
attributedtothematernalfigurebyaphallocentricideologyterrifiedatthethoughtthatwomenmightdesiretohavethephallus.(BarbaraCreed62,68)
Thealiensphallicidentityisstronglymarked(thelongreptilianneck),butsoisitslarge,expandablemouth,armedwithtiersofsharpmetallicteeth.Asacompositeimageof
archetypalsexual

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dreadsitcouldscarcelybebettered:themonstrousphalluscombinedwithvaginadentata.(RobinWood27)

EachofthesesexualcharacterizationsoftheAlien,eachamplyandconvincinglysupportedwithevidencefromthetext,leadsusinadifferentinterpretivedirection.
TheAliensresemblancetoapenispointstowardadreadofmasculineaggressionandpenetrativeviolence.TheAliensresemblancetoavaginaorwomb,andto
suchimaginaryconstructsasthevaginadentataormaternalphallus,pointstowardadreadoffemalesexuality,conceivedasaggressiveandthuscastrating.The
Aliensresemblancetobothmaleandfemalereproductiveorganspointstowardageneraldisgustwithsexuality.
TheissueoftheAlienssexualidentityisfurtherconfusedbyitsmorphicvariabilityacrossmultiplelifecycles.Alongflexible(phallic)tubeemergesfromapuckered
(vaginal)orificeofthelarvalAlienthistubeisthrustdownthethroatofitsvictiminordertoimplantanembryo.(Kane,aman,istheonlyhumanbeingdeep
throatedandimpregnatedinthisfirstfilm.)Thedevelopedembryoburstsfromthechestofitshost,lookingmoreorlesslikeapulpypeniswithalongtailand
silvertippedteeth.ThefilmrarelyallowsthespectatormorethanaglimpseoftheadultAlien,bipedalandroughlyhumanoidinform.Itsswollenbulletshapedhead
andsnakytailmightseemtocodeitmasculine,ifitwerentforitsmouth.Orrather,mouths:withinthemoistandgapingoutermouthanditsringofteeth(vagina
dentata)liesasecondmouth,asortofoblongphallus,alsotippedwithteeth,thatdoestheworkofpenetration.Overall,onecouldarguethattheAliensassociation
withthebrutephysicalityofcoition,birth,anddeathplacesitwithintheregisteroffemininityasthisissaidtosignifythegrosscorporealityofthebody11but
alternately,thattheAlienssimilaritytoslasher/rapistsofotherhorrorfilms,oritsdoublingrelation(withinaMarxistreadingofthefilm)totheCompany,placesit
withintheregisterofmasculinistaggressionand/orpatriarchalcapitalism.
IstheAlienaboyoragirl?Sincetextualevidencesupportsbothcases,IwouldtendtoagreewiththosecriticswhocharacterizetheAlienas,genitallyspeaking,
simultaneouslymaleandfemale.However,IwouldgivethisargumentaperversetwistandassertthattheAlienisthereforeneither.Itisnot,ofcourse,thatthe
questionofsexualidentityisirrelevanttothefilm,butthattheAlienasembodiment(Ishouldsay,eachembodimentoftheAlien)exceedsthelogicofahuman(sexual)
identitypredicatedongenitaldifference.Thefilm,inturn,exceedsandresistsaninterpretationthatwouldcontainitwithinthefieldof(human)sexuality.Alienas
narrativemovessmoothlywithinthelogicofpsychoanalysis

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withitsheartlesscomputernamedMother,anditsheartlessAlienbristlingalloverwithstylizedgenitalia,registeringalltheusualsignsofrepressionand
displacementsosmoothlyandindiscriminatelyastooverloadandrupturethatlogic.Collapsingthisfoundationalbinarism(penis/nopenis,male/female)indispensable
totheconstitutionofhumanidentity,thefilmworkstotakeusoutsideofthelogicofthehuman,toimagineother(alien)systemsofreproduction,other(alien)logics
ofidentity.Orperhaps,itworkstopushustowardanother(alien)logicofthehuman,onepredicatedonlyoccasionallyandincidentallyoncategoriesofsexual
difference.
BeforecontinuingwithAlien,Iwouldliketoconsideralowbudgetfilmthathasreceivedmuchlesscriticalattention,Cronenbergs1977Rabid.UnlikeAlien,Rabid
operatesfullywithinasemioticsofhumansexualityanddesire,butlikeAlien,Rabidworkstooverloadandexhaustformationsofsexualdifferenceandidentity,to
representaneconomyofdesireandconsummationthatutilizes,butconfounds,theusualconstructionsofhumansexuality.Theseincludetheusualperverse
constructionslikethephallicwoman,thelegitimatepropertyofhorror.
Rose,theprotagonistofRabid,isplayedbypornstarMarilynChambers(ofBehindtheGreenDoorfame).Rosesupperbodyisbadlyinjuredwhenthe
motorcycleherboyfriendisdrivingslamsintoastalledrecreationalvehicleandcatchesfire.Sheistakentoanearbyplasticsurgeryclinicforemergencytreatment,
whereKeloid,apartnerowneroftheclinic,performsaradicallyexperimentaloperationtoreplaceherdamagedskinandinternalorgans.Asanoffshootofthe
surgery,however,Roseundergoestwomutations:aninabilitytosubsistonanythingbuthumanblood,andthegrowthofapenislikeappendageunderneathherarmpit
bymeansofwhichshedrawsthatblood.Rosesvictimsinturndevelopadiseaseresemblingrabies.Equallyravenousforbloodandslaveringatthemouth,theyhurl
themselvesonthemostproximatevictim,theirbitecarryingcontagioninitsturn.Eventuallytheimpositionofmartiallawisabletocheckthediseasesrapidprogress
throughMontreal,andRoseiskilledbyoneofherownvictims.ThefilmendswithadobermanchewingatRosesbodyoutsidetheapartmentbuildingwhereshe
died,andthecreditsrollasthesanitationpolice,collectingcorpses,flinghersintoagarbagetruck.
WeseemtohaveamostfamiliarhorrornarrativeinRabid:theindiscriminateenactmentoflibidinalurgesthreatenspublicorder,anditsagentistheaggressive,
inappropriatelysexual(phallic)woman.However,intheendtheLawisableferociouslytorecontaintheuncheckeddesire,particularlyfemaledesire,thatmenaces
civilization,signalingthatwehavereturnedtotheregimeofrepression.Bythisreading,thefilm

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exposes(ormanifests,ifonedoesntlikeCronenberg)theculturalrepressionofnonnormativesexuality,whichreturnsinthephantasmaticimageofRosesmutated
bodyandthephantasmaticiteratednarrativeofwildeyed,droolingpeoplebitingotherpeople.Withinpsychological/horrificconventionsofthedisplacementof
repressedcontent,desireequalsdisease,anddesiringwomen,inadoubledisplacementthatbespeaksanespeciallyfiercerepression,concealpenisesintheirarmpits.
Desireanddesiringwomen,terrifyingtobeginwith,inthehorrorfilmarerenderedmonstrous.
However,Iwouldarguethatthefilmneedstobereadatanotherlevelthanthatallowedbythelogicofrepressionanddisplacementorrather,readatanumberof
levels,withpsychoanalysisallowingusaccesstoonlyone.InathrowawaysceneinRabid,afemaleplasticsurgerypatient,returningtotheclinicforyetanothernose
jobthatwillbettersuitthespecificationsofherdaddy,wavesacopyofErnestJonessTheLifeandWorkofSigmundFreud.Imterrifiedtofindoutwhatit
reallymeans,shesayswithanapologeticlaugh,asthecamerazoomsinonthecover.Herethefilmseemstomockitspsychoanalyticallyinclinedinterpreter,witha
warningthatthestandardFreudianreadingofoedipality,ofthetraumaticdiscoveryofsexualdifferenceanditsrepressiveeffects,willonlytakeussofar.12
Freudianpsychoanalysisallowsforonlyaneither/oroption,andforanarrativethatwillflowfromtherealizationofoneoftheseoptions:itseitherapenisoravagina,
ormuchthesamething,eitherapenisoranemptysiteoflackingthepenis.13Anyoverchargedimage,indreamortext,mustinevitablybeidentifiedassymbolically
oneortheother.Whenthesymbolappearsoutofplaceapenisinawomansarmpit,forexampletheeither/orlogicisnotyetdisrupted,thoughoneisalertedto
adisturbanceinthepsychosexualfield,signifyingexcessivedreadorimpossibledesire(neurosis,perversion,fetishism)thatcanonlyrevealitselfindistortedfashion.In
Rabid,thiswouldleadustothereadingmentionedabove,whereaninsistenceonthephallicnessofRosesarmpitpeniscommitsustoatextualexegesiswhose
primarytaskistoaccountforthepresenceofthisphallusoutofplace,thisfemalephallussignifyingbothplenitude(libidinalexcess)andpowerlessness(castration).
However,oneisstillpuzzledbytheseeminglygratuitoussitingofthepenisinthearmpit.Thefirstdisplacement(penistowoman)isonewerecomfortablyfamiliar
with,andwelltrainedtoread,butwhytheseconddisplacementtothismodestlyerogenous,hugelyundertheorizedzone?KeepinginmindCronenbergswarning
abouttheinefficacyofFreudianinterpretation,Iwouldsuggestthatthisseconddisplacementconstitutes

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somethingofanabsurdistdetail,denotingnotanexcessofdread(whichwouldinstantiateasecondorchainofdisplacements),buttheinsufficiencyofgenital
iconographyasmasterkeytothefilm.Inotherwords,Rabidisnotjustanotherstoryofaphallicwoman,butafilmthattakesthehorrificconventionofthephallic
womanasitsstartingpoint,inordertoimagineasexualeconomyaposthumansexualeconomy,ifyouwillfoundedonsexualindeterminacyratherthansexual
difference.
Rabid,likeAlien,workstomultiplyinstancesofsexualindeterminacy,sothatsexualindeterminacybecomesthegroundsfor(ratherthananeffectof)thetext.One
canpursuethisargumentbyexaminingthestatusofthevictimsinbothfilms.Atthemostbasiclevel,traditionalgenderrolesareconsistentlyinverted,inasexual
economywheremalesaswellasfemalesmayberaped,orevenimpregnated,asinthecaseofAliensKane:theanatomicalindeterminacyofthepredatorbecomes
theconditionofthepreyaswell.Butmoresignificantthansimpleinversionisthesheerinconsequentialityofsexualdifferencewithinthedesiringeconomyeachfilm
setsout.Thepredatorneedtakenoaccountoftheusualorificessetoutforsexualreception:theAlienplantsitsembryothroughmouthandthroatintothe
gastrointestinalsystemRosesmutantorganmakesanopeningonwhateverpartofhervictimsbodyisproximate.Sincethegenitalidentityofthevictimmeans
nothing,anyconvenientbodyispenetrableandthusdesirabledesirecanrunalonganychannelsolongastheresawarmbodyattheendofit.Inotherwords,desire
andthusnarrativeinbothfilmsaregovernedbyalogicofmetonymy,14directedmerelybycontiguityandaccident,andtakingnoaccountoftheproperchannels
laidoutbysexualdifference.Theproperobjectofdesireisthenextonewhowalksby.
RabidestablishesvirtuallynocharacterizationofaprephallicRose(whodoesntevenspeakuntilshewakesupfromherpostoperationcoma,amonthafterthe
wreck)thatcouldaccountforherasthecatalystforthistroublesomeandunmediateddynamicofwanting,immediately,whatonesees.Hereonemustlookagainto
thenarrativelogicofcontingency.Aseriesofaccidents,rapidlyunfoldedwithinthefirsttenminutesofthefilm,leadsuptoRosestransformation:theaccidentofthe
collisiontheaccidentofhavingherupperbodyburntwhenthemotorcyclelandsonittheaccidentofcrashingneartheplasticsurgeryclinicwhereDr.Keloid,restive
underthepracticeofcosmeticmedicine,isitchingtotryouthisnewskingraftingtechniquetheaccident,perhaps,ofcancer,whichdevelopsandspreadsaccording
toalogicthateludesus.(KeloidacknowledgesthatcancermightresultfromtheinternalgraftsapossiblethoughinsufficientexplanationforRosesmutation.)Inthis
case,withinamedical

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ratherthansexualdiscursiveframework,metonymicnarrativeenactsthevicissitudesandfragilitiesofthehumanbody,pronetodisfigurement,alteration,diseasesfor
whichthereisnoknowncure.15
However,thehumanbodyinRabidisnotmerelyfragile.Itisalsounexpectedly,imaginativelygenerative.Keloidsexperimentinvolvestheremovalofhealthythigh
skintissue,whichbeforegraftingisrenderedmorphogeneticallyneutraltoloseitsspecificityasboththightissueandskintissue.Hisexpectationisthatthe
neutralizedtissuewillregenerateas,forexample,intestinaltissueaswellasabdominalskin,pickingupcuesfromundamagedcellsintheabdominalarea:neutralfield
tissuehasthesameabilitytoformanypartofthehumanbodythatthetissueofahumanembryohas.Butembryoniccells,withthisastoundingmetamorphicability,
sometimespickupthewrongsignalsandgeneratemonsters,andRosesneutralizedtissuehumanandnothuman,RoseandnotRosereinventsitselfandRoses
bodyalongwithit.Hergastrointestinalsystemisdamagedherneutralizedtissuereshapesherasonewhodoesnotneedtoeat(indeed,shecannoteatfoodmakes
hervomit),butcanabsorbnutrientsonlyfromhumanblood.Andherneutralizedtissuegeneratesanorgantoobtainthatblood.Thehumanbody,deprivedofitsusual
mechanisms,drawsupanewblueprintforsurvivalandcreatesnewones.
AcrucialpointhereisthatsexualityisonlyoneofseveralregisterswithinwhichtheconceptofthehumanisproblematizedinRabid.Thefilmemphasizesthe
metamorphic,unstablequalityofbodilyidentity,settingforthaspectacleofabodyreconfiguringitselfaccordingtoanunexpectedinternallogic.Thislogicisderived
accidentallytobesure,butitsarigorousandeconomicallogic,andoneinventedbythebodyitselfwhileRoseslumbersthroughhermonthlongcoma.
Rosesphallus,withinthisaccount,ismuchmorethanaphallus:takingitliterallyforthemoment,itsratheranorgannotableforitselegantefficiencyindrawingthe
bloodRoseneedstosurvive.Rosesphallusresemblesahypodermicneedleasmuchasapenis,andherpleasureentailstheintrojectionratherthantheejaculation
ofbodilyfluids.ExperimentalmedicinehastransformedRoseintonotonlyasexualfreak(asortofarmpithermaphrodite),butalsoacyborgicentity.Thesignofthe
mechanicaldisruptsorratherissimultaneouswiththesignofthebiological/sexual,sothattheimagecannotbeinterpretedaccordingtotheeither/orlogicof
anatomicaldifference.Instead,theimagebuildsupasuperfluityof(notnecessarilyconsistent)meaningsthroughthelogicofand...and...and.Moresimply,and
tousetheterminologyoftheFreudIhavesometimesbeenmaligning,theimageisoverdetermined(phallus,hypodermicneedle,digestiveapparatus),andthenarrative
that

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circulatesaroundthatimageisoverdeterminedaswell,bothfunctioningsimultaneouslywithinseveraldiscursivefields.
Thejokethefilmplaysonthevieweristhat,thoughitnegotiatessosmoothlywithinthediscursivefieldofsexuality,itisntmuchconcernedwithsex(atleast,sexas
weknowit).ContrastCronenbergsearlierTheyCamefromWithin(1975),whichalsousesthedeviceofmedicalexperimentationinitiatinganarrativeof
metonymicdesire.Inthiscase,adoctorhasengineeredasluglikeparasitethatblocksthepsychicmechanismsinhibitinghumanlibido.Theparasiteshostleapson
themostproximatehumanbodyinasexualfrenzyandtransmitsbothslugandlibidinalecstasythediseasespreadsthroughanislandboundapartmentcomplexand
eventually,asthecreditsroll,toMontreal.Oneofthefilmsvictimsisinfectedinthelaundryroom,whereshesaspectreofgrim,asexualefficiency.Shelaterappears
atherapartmentdoor,herfacesmearedwithmakeup,toattackawaiterdeliveringameal.Imhungry,shecroons.Imhungryforloove!Foodisrejectedin
favorofsex.InRabid,bycomparison,oneofRosesvictimsappearsatadinerandsnatchesabarbecuedchickenfromatruckdriver.Gottaeat!gottaeat!he
cries,tearingatthechickenwhenthatdoesntsatisfyhishungerhegrabsthearmofthewaitressandgnawsatthatinstead.Foodisrejectedheretoo,andthebodyis
desired,ravenouslysobutdesiredasfood,notforsex.
Orperhapsitwouldbebettertospeakofeconomiesofwanting,ofappetiteanddrive,ratherthaneconomiesofdesireinRabid.Desiresuggeststhetransformationof
drivethroughsuchmechanismsasrepressionanddisplacement,fantasyandcathexistheidiosyncraticlogicsoftheunconsciousdictateobjectchoice,perverseor
otherwise.InRabid(asinTheyCamefromWithin),thereisnoneedtoreroutedrivethroughtheunconscious,noneedforcathexis.Everyobjectchoice(withinthe
humanfield)isagoodchoice.Bitingpeople,whichshouldrepresentaperversetransfigurationofthesexualdrive,isappropriatebehaviorwithinthiseconomyof
wanting.
Seeminglyafilmaboutperversesexuality,Rabidallowsroomforneitherperversionnorsexuality.Drivesotherthansexualonesdictateintimaterelationsbetween
humanbeings.Itsnotthattraditionaldesireisabsentfromthefilm:Rosesmerepresenceisabletoelicitinmenanimmediateandwistfullonging,manifestingitselfin
behaviorsrangingfromprotectivenesstopredatorylechery.Roseplaysthegame,presentingasapassive,available,nubilewoman,allowingherselftobepickedupin
pornotheaters,shoppingmalls,andlobbies.Noneofherwouldbepredatorsrealizeuntiltoolatethattheyretrappedinanewnarrative.Thespectreofthemost
traditionaldesireofallheterosexuality,oneana

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tomicalconfigurationseekingitsoppositetermhauntsthefilmasasortofoutmodedrelicinthisnewposthumaneconomyofwanting.
AlienEmbodiments
HeysurewouldntmindgettinsomemoreofthatArcturianpoontang.Yeah,buttheoneyouhadwasamale!DoesntmatterwhenitsArcturian.
Dinnerconversationamongmalemarines,Aliens

Alienscrewsetsdownonableak,inhospitableplanetoidwhoseatmosphere,astheScienceOfficerAshnotesreverently,isalmostprimordial.Lambert,Kane,
andDallas,fittedupinbulkyandunwieldysuits,struggleacrossthesurfaceoftheplanetthroughhowlingwindstotrackthesourceofthedistresssignaladerelict
spaceshipofnonhumandesign.Inthecockpitoftheshiptheydiscovertheskeletonofitsgiganticandvaguelyelephantinealienpilot,whoseoutbentribsindicateit
hasdiedbyimplosion,and,inthebowelsoftheship,theeggchamberoftheAlienspeciesthatkilledthederelictscrew.Withinthischamber,intowhichKaneis
loweredwitharope,allissuffocatinglyhotanddampKanereportsthatItslikethegoddamtropicsinhere.Innumerableeggs,thesizeofswollenmelonsandwith
anunpleasantgraypinkpulpyskin,restonamuddyandglutinoussurface,likethefloorofabogratherthanaspaceship.WhenKanesmotionalertsthelarvalAlien
withinoneeggtothepresenceofprey,theeggsdistinctlyvaginalopening,16coatedwithslime,unfoldstorevealamoisthalfglobeofthrobbingtissue,faintly
reminiscentofacervix.Kaneincautiouslythrustshisheadoverthetopoftheeggtogetabetterlookatthestirringswithin,andthelarvalAlienleapsfromitsegg,
breaksthroughKaneshelmet,andattachesitselftohisface.ThefilmcutstoshowLambertandDallasdraggingKanescomatosebodybacktothetug.
Thusfarthefilmmaybesaidtoofferanarrativeofhumanbeings,buttressedbyanimpressive(butultimately,insufficient)technology,confrontingprimordialforcesof
naturetheyhopetocontrol,butcannotevenbegintocomprehend.Ifoneworkswithina(human)sexualeconomyofreadingwherethevisiblesignsofreproduction,
itsdampnessandviscosity,serveasmarkersofthefeminineonemightcodeNatureasfeminine,andtechnology(bydefaultorbytradition)masculine.Thefilm,
infact,seemstodemandsuchareading.Thederelictship,viewedfromtheoutside,appearsasaroughcompendiumofrecognizablyhumanreproductiveorgans.At
firstviewing,thebodyoftheshipishiddenbehindarockoutcroppingalloneseesaretwogigantic,unmistakablyphallic

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extensionsoftheshipthrustingoutintospace.Atthecenteroftheship,betweentheseoutthrustphalluses,arethreeorificeslookinglikestylizedvaginasthethree
humansclimbingthroughoneoftheseoutsizedopeningsappearasinsignificantlypuny,andseemtobeembarkedonthatalltoofamiliar,alwaysunpleasant,voyage
intothebodyoftheMonstrousMother.Andindeed,theinnerwallsofthederelictappearastheinteriorofabody,constructedofamaterialthatcouldbemetal,
silicon,orbone,andcoveredwitharepetitivepatternthatcouldbedrawnfromanintestinalorskeletalsystem.
Andyet,theinteriorofthederelictmightbesaidtoresemblethestufflyingunderthehoodofacarjustaswellasanorganicbody,humanorotherwise.Thefilm
invitesoneintoasheerlypsychoanalyticreadingbystrewingthefieldwiththeusualimages,phallusesandvaginasturningupineverydirectiononeturns,butthenshifts
intoafieldofdiscourseforwhichpsychoanalyticinterpretationisquiteuseless.Isthedeadhelmscreaturemasculineorfeminine?Howdotheseelephantinealiens
reproduce?Dotheyexperiencesexualdesire?Suchquestionsareblindinglyirrelevantatleast,thetextdoesnotallowspacefortheirrelevance.Thespectacle
presentedbythedeadelephantalien(tomymindthemosteerieandbeautifulmomentinthefilm)opensupspeculativeitinerariesthatleadoneawayfrom
considerationsofsexualdifferenceandsexualidentity,intotheimaginativerealmofalternateembodiments.
Thepilotliesrecumbentonacontrolchair,itsheadpoisedjustbelowamassivetelescopeorrather,thepilotseemstohavegrownoutthechair,orgrownintoit.H.
R.Gigerwritesthatthepilotwasconceivedasoneofmybiomechanoids,attachedtotheseatsoastoformasingleunit(34).Thegroovesandridgesofthechair
blendimperceptiblyintothepilotsdesiccatedbody,sothatthealienseemstobemadeofmetalorsilicon,andthechairofbone.Thisaliensscaledwarfsthehuman
scale:whilethealienishuge,somuchsothatthehumansseemincongruouslytinybesideit,thecockpitisnonethelessenormousonascaledisproportionatetothe
alienssizethecavernousproportionsofthecockpitareemphasizedbythevastamountsofemptyspacebetweenthecontrolchairandthecockpitwalls,bespeaking
anaestheticsensibilityandeconomyofdesignthatcontrastsjarringlywiththeclaustrophobicallysmallandcrowdedcontrolroomoftheNostromo.
Briefly,thecameraframesDallassfaceinjuxtapositionwiththehelmscreaturesasiftoemphasizethecontrastbetweenthehuman,fullybiologicalentitysuited
clumsilyintoamechanismthatenablesittobreathethealienair,andthebiomechanoid,cyberneticentitywhosestrangeandbeautifulbodyimpossiblyconfoundsthe
(human)distinctionbetweenorganismandmachine.Butthiscontrastisamisleadingone.Ontheone

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hand,thefilmworkstoerodetheboundarybetweenhumanandmachine,particularlyviatheliminalfigureofAsh,theandroidsuccessfullymasqueradingasatwitchy,
analretentivehuman.Ontheotherhand,thepathosofthetwojuxtaposedfacesDallassmarkedwithnervousnessandbewilderment,thehelmscreaturesfrozenin
adeathmaskofagonyandastonishmentpointstowardtheircommonstatus,despitetheiroverwhelminglydifferentbodilyforms,asmerepreyforthesuperiorAlien.
Thehuman,withinthetermsofevolutionandspeciesidentity,representsnoapexofperfection.Bothelephantalienandhuman,bothcomplexsentientspecies,are
evolutionarilyunfitincontrastwiththeAlientheprobablybutnotcertainlysentientorganismthatAshwilllateradmireforitsstructuralperfection.
Thisisoneofseveralmovesthefilmmakes(despitetheninthinningheroicsofRipley)17indisallowingthehumanasarecuperablecategory.TheAlienisnot
interestedinhumansforalltheirspecialwonderfulnessrather,thehumanspeciesisoneofanynumberitcanparasiteinordertoreproduceitsown.Andwhilethefirst
Alienfilmisneverasclearonthisasthethird,itallowsforthepossibilitythatAlienparasitismentailstheabsorptionofselective(orrandom)characteristicsofthehost
species,sothatthecreaturebirthedfromKaneisanundifferentiatedconglomerateofhuman,elephantalien,andcountlessotherspeciesforms.Withintheseterms,
thehumanservesasjustonebodilypossibilitywithintheinfiniterepertoireofthemetamorphicAlien.TheAlienlacksitsowndiscreteandproperform.Itrepresents
analternatespecieslogic,alogicofadaptationthroughtransformationacrossgenerations.Humanbodilyidentity,bycontrast,seemsinefficientandmonotonously
repetitive.
Andasacrucialpartofitsalternatelogicofembodiment,theAlienoffersusaspectacleofreproductionandbirthoutsideofahumansexualeconomy.Weareonone
levelinvitedtoreadtheAliensymbolically,withinthetermsofhumansexualityasdeterminedbygenitalidentity.TheimageisconfusedtheAlienisoverdetermined
withinthesexualfield,legibleasbothphallicandvaginal,maleandfemale.18ButtooinsistentanattempttoframetheAlienwithinthisfieldobscuresthefactthatthe
Alientakenliterallyforthemomenthasnogenitalsatall.Here,asinRabid,theexcessandconfusionofgenitaliconographypointtowardtheinsufficiencyof
humansexualdifferenceasthekeytothedecipheringofhorrificembodiment.TheAliendoesnotreproducebymeansofheterosexualcoupling,anditbypassesthe
reproductiveorgansofitshost,sothathumanmalescanbemothersjustaseasilyasfemales.TheAlienhasnounconsciousorsuperego,humanpsychicformations
thatallegedlyresultfromtheattempttomasterthetraumaofsexualdifference:Ashdescribesitaslackingconscience,remorse,ordelusionsofmorality.

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Theimportantdifferenceinthefilmisnottheoldestdifferenceintheworld,betweenmenandwomen,19butthedifferencebetweenAlienandnotAlien(withthe
humansubsumedintothislattercategory).
Indiscussingtheramificationsofthisdifference,IwouldlikefirsttoconsiderthesheeraliennessoftheAlien.ViewingthelarvalAlienfromabove,asitsitsonKanes
face,oneseesabonyridgeorspinethatcontinuesintoaverylonghardtail(wrappedaroundKanesneck)oneithersideoftheridgeisapulpygraybeigebody
coveringKanescheeksandeyesandatthetopofthebody,ateachside,arefourlong,almostskeletalfingers,uncannilyhumanintheirtripartitedivisionandperfect
fingernails.ThelarvalAlienresemblesaspider,itresemblesacrustacean,itresemblesahumanhandpushedoverKanesfaceinasuffocatingembraceinits
confusionoftentativelyrecognizableformsitresemblesnothingatall.TheadultAlienisevenmoreunplaceablewithtaxonomiesofnaturalhistory:alivingorganism
composedofmaterialsthatshouldbeinimicaltoorganiclife(cellsmadeofpolarizedsiliconandmolecularacidforblood).Vaguelyhumanoidinform(attimes,
sincetheflexiblebodycollapsesandcontortsinunexpectedways),theadultAlienalsoresemblesareptile,aninsect,andafullendoskeletonstrippedofflesh.Its
shapecallstomindboththeinteriorofthederelictandthebiomechanoidformoftheelephantalien:theAliendoesnotusemachineryexceptforcamouage,blending
perfectlywiththeblackinnardsoftheNostromo,butithasbecomemachine,orratherbecomecybernite,anentitysimultaneouslyorganicandinorganic.
CompareStephenPrincesdiscussionofCarpentersTheThing:Asahorriblyanomalousanimal,thethingrepresentsaformofcosmicpollution,anentityexisting
outsidetheacceptedcategoriesthatgiveshapetohumanlifeandknowledge(26).LiketheThing,theAlienconstitutesacollapsingofmultipleandincompatible
morphicpossibilitiesintooneamorphousembodimentalogicofidentitythatservesasanalternative,orpossiblyaontologicalchallenge,toahumanone
predicatedonabodythatsadiscrete,bounded,andstableunit.Asindeterminatephenomenon,however,theAliendoesnotjustserveasacontrasttothehuman.
Alienamorphousnessinfectsthehumanas,ontheonehand,theintegralhumanbodyispenetrated,invaded,renderednolongerhumanthroughAlienimpregnation,
andontheother,theAliensamplesandabsorbshumancharacteristicsalongwithanythingelseitcanfind,sothatthehumanspeciesisnolongerviableasanintegral
anddistinctcategory.
Inotherwords,whileIamarguingforareadingthatwillattendtothealiennessoftheAlien,Iamalsoarguingforareadingthatcollapsesthedistinctionbetween
Alienandhumanbutonlyonthetermsofallowingforthehumanasanimplodedcategory.Thefilmaccomplishesthis

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implosiononmanylevels,nottheleastofwhichisdefamiliarizingthehumanbodybyevisceratingit.InthefamousdinnertablescenewheretheAlienburstsfrom
Kaneschest,thehumansubjectisturnedinsideoutandrevealedasnothingbutbloodandguts,nothingbutabodycomposedofmatterasviscousandhorrificasthe
slimethatdripsfromtheAliensmouth.IntheequallyshockingscenewhereAshisdecapitated,thehumansubjectisevertedandrevealedasnothingbutcircuitryand
tubing.Thesceneseffectivenessdependspartlyonthespectatorssurprise:thoughwevebeengivenplentyofreasonstodistrustAsh,untilthismomentwehavehad
nocausetosupposehimanandroid.Thehumanbodyisexposedasmerelyareplicableconstruct,anentitythatcanbeproducedwithinatechnicalratherthansexual
economyanditisfurtherexposedasaliminalform,afullymechanicalconstructthatsobeautifullyduplicateshumanappearanceandbehaviorthatonecanttellthe
difference.
Butthesceneisalsofullyeffectiveasamomentofbodyhorror.AshsoddlyfleshyvisceraareeverybitasdisgustingasKanes,coatedinathick,milkyfluidthatalso
spurtsandbubblesfromAshsmouth.Thescenerendersvisiblethedifferencebetweenandroidandhuman,butinemphasizingthegrosscorporealityofbothandroid
andhumanbody,italsoworkstolevelthatdifference.Morestartlingly,thescenecatchesAshinafitofwhatlookslikehysterics,matchingRipleyshystericsaftershe
discoverstheNostromohasbeensetupbytheCompany.RipleyslapsAsharound,sobbingandshoutingincoherentlywhenshegetsherselfcontrolbackitsatthe
costofanhystericalnosebleed.AshotofthesinglereddroptricklingfromhernoseiscounteredwithashotofasinglewhitedroptricklingdownAshsforehead,
andthenAshstartstogiggle.IntheensuingviolencewhereRipleyisnearlykilledandAshdismantledbyParkerandLambert,Ashmovesfirstlumberinglyandthen
spasmodically,handsandfaceshaking,armsflailingwildlyasheemitshighpitchedsquealingnoises.Presumablytheandroidhasmalfunctioned,buttheuncanninessof
thescenecanbetracedtothenearperfectresemblancebetweenmechanicalmalfunctionandhumanhysterics,asifhysteriawerenottheresultoftheintricate
interplaybetweenhumanunconsciousandhumanbody,butmerelyaspectacletobeactedoutacrossanybodyatall.
Alien,likebodyhorroringeneral,workstodisallowhumanspecificityateverylevel,toevacuatethehumansubjectintermsofbodily,species,sexual,and
psychologicalidentity.Whatbodyhorroroffersinplaceofthisisahuman/nothumansubject,aposthumansubject,speculationsonalternatelogicsofidentitythat
ruptureandexceedtheonesweknow.Thatsuchalternateidentitiesareusuallypresentedinthenegativeregisterofhorrorthattheruinationofthehumansubject
isaccomplishedgraphicallyandviolentlyneednot,Ithink,argueforthesadismofthe

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genreanditsfans.Itmightargueinsteadforagenrewithoutnostalgia,withoutinvestmentinthehumanasadiscreteandstablecategory,andforaviewerwhose
pleasurederivesfromspectacularenactmentsoftheposthumanratherthanthroughmechanismsofidentification.AsJacquesDerridawritesofdeconstructionsin
general,eventhosewhowanttolookoftenturntheireyesawaywhenfacedbytheasyetunnamablewhichisproclaimingitselfandwhichcandoso,asisnecessary
wheneverabirthisintheoffing,onlyunderthespeciesofthenonspecies,intheformless,mute,infant,andterrifyingformofmonstrosity(293).Ifposthumanityisour
postmoderncondition,wewillfindthisasyetunnamablestatebodiedforthmostfullyinthemonsterfilm.
Notes
1.Somecriticspositthathorrorhasbeensotransformedthatnewgenericlabelingsarecalledfor.PhilipBrophyproposesHorrality,aneologismthatcollapses
horror,textuality,morality,[and]hilarity(3),andisdesignedtocallattentiontorecenthorrorsplayful,gleefullyexcessivemanipulationofhorrificconventions,its
violentawarenessofitselfasasaturatedgenre(5).Inamoredisapprovingvein,HarveyR.Greenbergproposescruelorhardcorehorror,comprisingpictures
thatskirtovertheedgeoftheimpermissiblevisuallyandpsychologically,orplungeovertheedge(85).
2.SeeRobinWood1722andGreenberg8587.
3.CriticswhohaveaidedmyattemptstoimaginealternativestopsychoideologicalreadingsofhorrorfilmincludeTaniaModleski,whoexaminesthepostmodern
narrativestrategiesofhorrorfilmBrophy,particularlyinhisattentiontospecialeffectstechnologiesRobertWood,whoarguesthatgenrehybridizationaccountsfor
thediscursiveoverdeterminationofafilmlikeAlienandStephenPrince,whoproposesasocialanthropologicaltheoryofhorrorbasedonDouglassandLeachs
workonliminalitywithinsymbolicsystems.ThoughIdonotcitethemelsewhere,myspeculationsonposthumanembodimenthavebeeninfluencedbyDonna
HarawayandJudithButler.
IwouldalsoliketothankJudithHalberstam,MaryKlages,IraLivingston,F.TylerStevens,andEricWhitefortheirsuggestionsandconversationaboutbodyhorror.
4.MydiscussionthroughoutisindebtedtoJuliaKristeva,whoproposesabjectionastateofbodilyandpsychicliminalitywherethesubjectisnotsubjectasa
paradoxicalstatusthatsimultaneouslyrepelsandfascinates,thatelicitsnauseabutalsoinspiresspeculationandcreativity.
5.IhavedevotedsometimetounfoldingWoodspsychoideologicalanalysisofhorrornotbecausehisessayconstitutesthelastwordonthesubject,butbecausehe
issofrequentlycitedbylatercritics.Perhapsmorethananyoneelse,

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Woodhassetthestageforanexpectationthatthehorrorfilmadvanceaprogressivepoliticalagenda,sothatfilmsthatfail(arereadasfailing)todosoare
dismissedasmorbid,conscienceless,ordownrightpernicious.
6.See,forexample,BarbaraCreed53,65,andPeterFitting28586,291.Prince,thoughhebreaksdeliberatelyfromthepracticeofthepsychoanalysisofhorror,
alsopositsaconservingfunctionforthegenre:byviolatingthedistinctionsthatgiveformtothesocialenvironmentandtohumanidentity,horrorfilmultimately
reaffirmsthem(28).
7.Throughoutthisarticle,whenreferringtothefilmscreatureIhavecapitalizedAlien,todifferentiatefromotherusesofthewordalien.
8.Creedsisthemostpowerfulandextendedargumentalongtheselines.WorkingfromKristeva,Creedarguesingeneralthathorrorenablesitsspectatorstoaffirm
themselvesassubjectswithinthesymbolicorderbyconfrontingandthenrefusinganundifferentiatedcorporealidentityassociatedwiththeMother.
9.SeeFitting28789,JeffGould28283,Greenberg97103.
10.SeeRobinWood2728,andJamesH.KavanaughandJudithNewton.Myquicksummaryabovedoesnotdojusticetothecomplexandrigorousargumentation
oftheselattertwo.
11.SeeespeciallyCreed.Asseveralcriticshavepointedout,thesequelAliens,directedbyJamesCameron,insistentlyplacesAliennesswithintheregisterof
femininity,withitsclimacticbattlebetweenthegoodmotherRipleyandtheQueenmotherofallAliens(ConstancePenley12425,RobertWood8).
12.AsIraLivingstonputsit,throughher[theFreudreadingpatient]thefilmsinglesoutforspecialpunishmentitswouldbeinterpreters(530).Myreading
throughoutisindebtedtoLivingstonsmultidiscursiveanalysisofRabid.
13.MyargumentherehasbeenshapedbydiscussionwithMaryKlages,aswellasbyLuceIrigarayswittysatireofFreudinheressayThisSexWhichIsNot
One.
14.Modleski,workingfromtheassumptionthatmetonymyisgenerallytheprinciplebywhichnarrativeisconstructed,arguesthatmetonymyinRabidbecomesthe
meansbywhichnarrativeisdisordered,revealingaviewoftheworldinwhichthecenternolongerholds(161).HereIwouldprefertodistinguishbetweena
narrativeorderedbyothertropicdevicesaswellasmetonymy,andanarrativethatproceedspurelyonthebasisofcontingencyandtocharacterizeasdifferently
orderedratherthandisorderedthisnarrativethatspreads,likeinfection,frombodilyunittobodilyunit.
15.SeeBossforadiscussionofhorrorfilminthecontextofdiseaseandmodernmedicine.
16.H.R.Giger,theSwissartistwhodesignedmostofthealiencreaturesandeffectsforthefilm,describeshisfirstmodeloftheeggthusly:WhenItakeoffthe
plasticclothsinwhichmyworkisdraped,thereisahowloflaughterfromthewholegroup.Ihadlovinglyendowedthiseggwithaninnerand

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outervulva.Tomakeitalllookmoreorganic,Ifilledsomemorepreservativeswithclayandarrangedthesesemitransparentlittlesausagesonthepinkaperture.The
eggorificewaslaterdoubledlikeacross,toreducetheabsoluteresemblancetothefemalegenitalsandachievetheeffectofafloweropening,lestatoo
anatomicallycorrectdesign(albeitadornedwithsausages)invitetrouble,especiallyinCatholiccountries(46).
17.WhilemanycriticsseeAliensconclusionasrecuperativeofahumanistideologytheloneheroicindividualdefeatstheAlienandsavesherselfandthecatIam
notinclinedtogivetheendingsuchweight.Atbest,Iwouldargue,Ripleysheroics(orconfusedanddesperateattemptstosurvive)areavailable,perhaps
nostalgically,asonestrategyintherepertoireofposthumanidentitiesandbehaviorspositedbythefilm.
18.Thefieldisfurtherconfusedbymorethanthesheerexcessofsexualsigns.Insomescenes,theAlienslipspullbacktorevealnothingbutthetwosetsofteeth
itsalldentataandnovagina.Theinnerphallicmouth,anattenuatedoblongboxwhosemetallicwhitelatticeworkisclearlyvisibleundertheslime,appears
simultaneouslyorganicandinorganic,likethehypodermicpenisinRabid.
19.SeveralcriticshavenotedthefactthatthereisnosexualchemistrybetweenmaleandfemalecrewmembersontheNostromosomefinditrefreshing(Newton
84),somedisappointing(RobinWood27).PenleywritesthatDanOBannonstreatmentforthefirstfilmwasuniqueinwritingeachroletobeplayedbyeithera
manorawoman(12425).Inotherwords,thescriptingeneralworkstominimizetheoldestdifferenceintheworld.
WorksCited
Butler,Judith.GenderTrouble:FeminismandtheSubversionofIdentity.NewYork:Routledge,1990.
Creed,Barbara.HorrorandtheMonstrousFeminine:AnImaginaryAbjection.Screen27(1986):4470.
Derrida,Jacques.Structure,Sign,andPlayintheDiscourseoftheHumanSciences.WritingandDifference.NewYork:Routledge,1978.27893.
Elkins,Charles,ed.SymposiumonAlien.ScienceFictionStudies7.3(1980):278304.
Fitting,Peter.TheSecondAlien.Elkins28593.
Giger,H.R.GigersAlien.BeverlyHills:MorpheusInternational,1979.
Gould,Jeff.TheDestructionoftheSocialbytheOrganicinAlien.Elkins28285.
Greenberg,HarveyR.,M.D.ReimaginingtheGargoyle:PsychoanalyticNotesonAlien.CloseEncounters:Film,Feminism,andScienceFiction.Ed.
ConstancePenleyetal.Minneapolis:UniversityofMinnesotaPress,1991.83103.
Haraway,DonnaJ.ACyborgManifesto:Science,Technology,andSocialistFeminismintheLateTwentiethCentury.Simians,Cyborgs,andWomen:The
ReinventionofNature.NewYork:Routledge,1991.14981.

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Irigaray,Luce.ThisSexWhichIsNotOne.ThisSexWhichIsNotOne.Ithaca:CornellUniversityPress,1985.2333.
Kavanaugh,JamesH.Feminism,HumanismandScienceinAlien.Kuhn7381.
Kristeva,Julia.PowersofHorror:AnEssayonAbjection.NewYork:ColumbiaUniversityPress,1982.
Kuhn,Annette,ed.AlienZone:CulturalTheoryandContemporaryScienceFictionCinema.NewYork:Verso,1990.
Livingston,Ira.TheTrafficinLeeches:DavidCronenbergsRabidandtheSemioticsofParasitism.AmericanImago50.4(1993):51533.
Modleski,Tania.TheTerrorofPleasure:TheContemporaryHorrorFilmandPostmodernTheory.StudiesinEntertainment:CriticalApproachestoMass
Culture.Ed.TaniaModleski.Bloomington:IndianaUniversityPress,1986.15566.
Newton,Judith.FeminismandAnxietyinAlien.Kuhn8287.
Penley,Constance.TimeTravel,PrimalSceneandtheCriticalDystopia.Kuhn11627.
Prince,Stephen.Dread,TabooandTheThing:TowardaSocialTheoryoftheHorrorFilm.WideAngle10(1988):1929.
Wood,RobertE.CrossTalk:TheImplicationsofGenericHybridizationintheAlienFilms.StudiesintheHumanities15(1988):112.
Wood,Robin.Introduction.AmericanNightmare:EssaysontheHorrorFilm.Ed.AndrewBrittonetal.Toronto:FestivalofFestivals,1979.728.

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ELEVEN
TerminatingBodies:
TowardaCyborgHistoryofAbortion
CarolMason
AndrewRoss[posingaquestiontoDonnaHaraway]:Itseemsclearthattherearegoodcyborgsandtherearebadcyborgs,andthatthecyborgitselfisacontestedlocation....
Howdoyouprevent,orhowdoyouthinkaboutwaysofpreventing,cyborgismfrombeingamyththatcanswingbothways,especiallywhenthepictureofcyborgsocialrelations
thatyoupresentissofracturedandvolatileandbereftofguarantees?(Technoculture7)

AndrewRosspinpointsakeyproblemwhenherecognizescyborgismasamyththatcanswingbothways.ReferringtoHarawaysessay,AManifestofor
Cyborgs:Science,Technology,andSocialistFeminisminthe1980s,1 Rosstriestodrawoutthepossibledangersinvolvedinpromotinganironicmyththatcan,
preciselybecauseofthenatureofirony,servetherhetoricalneedsoftwoopposingpoliticalstances.Thecyborg,acreatureofinterdependentcyberneticandorganic
elements,wasintroducedbyHarawaytotheacademiccommunityin1985asaplayfullyselfconsciousattempttoargueforpleasureintheconfusionofboundaries
[separatinghumanfrommachine,humanfromanimal,bodiesfromtechnology,femalefrommale]andresponsibilityintheirconstruction(150).ButRosssquestion
remindsthoseofusenamoredofHarawayscyborgthatpleasurestwinisdanger.
Whatarethedangersinvolvedinembracingthecyborgasamyththataims,inHarawayswords,totransformthedespisedmetaphorsofbothorganicand
technologicalvision[and]toforegroundspecificpositioning,

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multiplemediation,partialperspective,andtherefore[toserveas]aspossibleallegoryforantiracistfeministscientificandpoliticalknowledge?2 Oneofthedangersis
gettingcaughtupinjudgingthegoodcyborgsandthebadcyborgsandforgettingthat,asRosssays,thecyborgitselfisacontestedlocation.Iseethis
happening,forexample,infeministsciencefictionnovelslikeMargePiercysHe,She,andIt(1991),inwhicheventhegoodcyborgintensifiesandresolidifies
identitiesandboundariesmarkedbysexualdifference.3 Thepracticeofidentifyinggoodandbadcyborgsoftenreifiespoliticalidentitiesandsocialrelationsas
individualbodies.JamesCamerons1991filmTerminator2(T2)alsoencouragesviewerstoengageinthispractice,tochoosewhichcyborgsaregoodandbad,and
whichsocialrelationsaretobesavedornot.SubtitledJudgmentDay,thefilmclearlyinvitesustoplayspectatorgod,todistinguishthegoodfromthebad,to
salvagerelationslikethenuclearfamily,andtoignoreRossspointthatthecyborgitselfisacontestedlocation.
IresistreadingT2accordingtogood/badcyborgsandlookinsteadatthecyborgsocialrelationsorcyborgismembodiedbycharacters.AlthoughRosstreats
bothapproachesasone,Ithinktracingcyborgismisalessdangerousreadingpracticethanlocatinggoodandbadcyborgs.Iprefertracingthecyborgismofa
situationoverlocatinggoodandbadcyborgsbecauseitfocusesonthehistoricalanddiscursiveinterplayamongbodiesratherthanonthebodiesthemselves.
Furthermore,atleastinthecaseofT2,locatinggoodandbadcyborgsiscounterproductivetoreadingthecyborgsocialrelationsatworkinthefilm.Theprojectof
cyborgism,myanalysiswillshow,tendstoresultinthedisembodimentofindividualsubjectsandthedisaggregationofhistoricalsocialrelationsthatcomprisea
subject.Inotherwords,cyborgismasareadingpracticerevealshowsubjectivitiesaremadeandremadehowtheyarereproduced.
Harawaypromotesthispracticemorethantheprojectofjudginggoodandbadcyborgs.Sheasks,whyshouldourbodiesendattheskin?(178)andsuggeststhat
wecananalyzepoliticalsituationsaccordingtothepoststructuralistrevelationsthatcyborgsaffordus.Twoofthoserevelationsarethatorganicunity(orbodily
integrity)isitselfamyth,andthattechnophobialeadspeopletosurrendersomeveryimportanttoolstoanelitegroup(corporate/militaryscientists)knownfortheir
eugenicways.Harawayknowsthatrelinquishingtheidealoforganicunityorasuspicionoftechnologyisdangerous.Sheadmitsthisdangermoreclearlyinthe
interviewwithRossthanshedoesinthemanifesto,whereitmayhaveseemedantithetical.YetHarawaysdevotiontoherironicmythprevailsin

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herresponsetoRosssquestionaboutcyborgismsdangerouscapacitytoswingbothways:
DonnaHaraway:Well,IguessIjustthinkit[cyborgism]isbereftofsecureguarantees.Andtosomedegree,itsarefusaltogiveawaythegame,eventhoughwerenotenteringit
onunequalterms.Itisentirelypossible,evenlikely,thatpeoplewhowanttomakecyborgsocialrealitiesandimagestobemorecontestedplaceswherepeoplehavedifferent
kindsofsayabouttheshapeoftheirliveswilllose,andarelosingallovertheworld.Onewouldbeafool,Ithink,toignorethat.However,thatdoesntmeanwehavetogiveup
thegame,cashinourchips,andgohome.Ithinkthatthosearetheplaceswhereweneedtokeepcontesting.Itslikerefusingtogiveawaythenotionofdemocracytotheright
wingintheUnitedStates.(Technoculture78)

Myresponsetothiscalltokeepcontestingbeginswiththedistinctionbetweenidentifyinggoodcyborgsfrombadcyborgsandrecognizingthecyborgismofa
situation.MyreadingofT2illustratesthisdistinctionandexploreshowbodiesdoanddontendattheskin.Ononehand,myreadingemphasizesrace,which
appearstobelocatedattheskin.Thefactofblackness4 isthemostimmutableandtakenforgrantedsignifierofindividualembodimentinT2,amoviethat
otherwiseflauntsstunningchangesinpersonalappearanceandrevelsinbodilyplasticity.Ontheotherhand,myreadingwillillustratehoweventhefactofblacknessin
T2ishistoricallyanddiscursivelyproducedbyandproducingafactofwhiteness,ifyouwill.Inthisway,T2urgesustothinkintermsotherthanindividualbodies,or
singularities,asoureditorssuggest.
GillesDeleuzeandFelixGuattarialsoexplorewaysinwhichbodiescanbeseenasnonunitary,heterogenousmachinesthatmayemphasizeratherthanobscurethe
contingentandongoingprocessofreproducingsubjectivities.Theybestdescribebodiesasmachinesindiscussinghowabumblebeeispartofthereproductivesystem
ofaredclover,orhowthemalewaspispartofthereproductivesystemoftheorchidwhichattractsandintercepts[it]bycarryingonitsflowertheimageandthe
odorofthefemalewasp(AntiOedipus285).AccordingtoDeleuzeandGuattari,thebeeandcloverorthewaspandorchidare,together,acomplicated
reproductivemachine.Moreover,theytellus,wearemisledbyconsideringanycomplicatedmachineasasinglething.Thesameistrue,Iwillargue,inTerminator
2:thetrulycomplicatedmachineryinCameronsfilmisnotaterminatoritistheconfrontationbetweenMilesDyson,thefatherofSkynet(anautomateddefense
programthatleadstocyborgrevolution)

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andSarahConnor,themotherofJohn,aboywhoisdestinedtoleadhumansinfuturebattlesagainstthecyborgs.Dyson,whoisblack,andConnor,whoiswhite,
arelikethebeeandclovertheyserveaspartsofeachothersreproductivesystems.IwillarguethatthisConnorDysonopposition(re)producesculturally
recognizablesubjectivitiesthatneedtobereadnotmerelyasstereotypesormonolithicideologicaleffects(Goldberg181).ConnorandDysonarentmerely
representationsoroneononedenotationsofwhiteandblack,femaleandmale,workerandprofessional,ormannishlesbianandnoblenegrotheyworktogether
asareproductivemachinelubricatedbythesehistoricalresidues.Onlywithasenseofhistory(andspecificallyahistoryofeugenics,lynching,andpopulationand
reproductivecontrol)canwedetectandunderstandhowthisculturalreproductionoccurs.
FollowingmyanalysisofT2,then,willbeabriefdefenseofhistoryasasafeguardagainstacyborgismthatswingsbothways,andanapplicationofthissafeguarding,
whichwillcontextualizecyborgisminthearenaofabortionpolitics.ThiswillallowustobringintoquestionHarawayscyborgasamythwithnooriginstory(150),
andtodisturbthedichotomiesuponwhichtheabortiondebateisfounded.
T2ismostobviouslyaboutagoodcyborg(theTerminatorplayedbyArnoldSchwarzenegger)andabadone(theT1000playedbyRobertPatrick).Thesecyborgs
arrivefromthepostapocalypticfutureinwhichJohnConnorleadsahumanrebellionagainstthecyborganarchy,whichbeganwhenanautomatedmilitarydefense
system,Skynet,cametoconsciousnessandattemptednucleargenocideofhumanbeings.Thisconfusingtimeloopallowsthecyborgstotravelintothepasttoprevent
(theTerminatorsmission)ortoensure(T1000smission)Skynetscyborgreign.FortheT1000,thismeanskillingJohnConnorwhilehesstillachild,beforehe
growsuptobeamilitaryleaderagainstcyborgs.TheTerminator,indirectconflict,mustprotectJohn.Thuswehaveourgood/badcyborgtheme.
Attheopeningofthefilm,however,viewersarentsurewhosgoodandwhosbad.SincethisisasequeltoafilminwhichSchwarzeneggerplayedtheevil
terminator,viewersexpecthimtobebadagain.Butunlikehisshapeshiftingnemesis(T1000),whosebodilyshapeandappearancecanchange,theTerminators
charactercanchangeand,infact,isconstantlychanging,notonlyfrombadtogoodorfrommonstroustohumane(ifnothuman).TheTerminatoralsotraversesa
continuumofmasculinities.
AccordingtoElizabethTraube,massculturesattempttoremasculinizeAmericaaftertheVietnamandWatergateerawasnotareestablishmentofanyonetypeof
masculinity.Rather,shesays,differentmasculinities

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rangefromworkingclassresentmentsofmanagerialcontrol(20),asportrayedbyRambo,togood,nurturingfathers[thatserveas]substitutesforbad,
overambitiousmothers(25)oftheprofessionalmanagerialclass(asweseeinKramervs.KramerandMr.Mom).TheTerminatortraversesthatcontinuumof
masculinities,movingfromthemassmurderingtypetothesensitivemanwholearnsthevalueofcrying.ItistemptingtoarguethatSchwarzeneggerinT2infact
containsallthesemasculinitiesasheneutralizestheschizophrenicconflictbetweenhorrormoviedads(JackNicholsoninTheShining)andfamilymelodramadads
(DustinHoffmaninKramervs.Kramer).5
ButIagreewithotherscholarswhoseworkindicatesthattheTerminatorsmasculinityisconstantlybeingdefined,reproduced,or(Traubesterm)reinvented.
JonathanGoldberg,forexample,convincesmethattheTerminatorsmasculinityisproducedandreproducedthroughthetensionsandinterplaybetween
leathersexualimagesreminiscentofgaymalepornandthetakenforgranted(hetero)sexualallureofSchwarzeneggersphysique.Tothisinsistencethatthe
Terminatorhasbothastraightmasculinityandaqueerone,TraubemightaddthattheTerminatorhasbothaworkingclassmasculinity(asisevidentinhis
Ramboesqueirreverenceforthelaw)andaprofessionalmanagerialmasculinity(hewould,Sarahtellsus,neverhitJohnorgetdrunkbutwouldbethebestfather
likecorporateadvertisingmanTedKramer).
Ofcourse,theTerminatorisnttheonlyonewhosesexualityisreinventedinT2.Afterscratchingnofateinatablewithabuckknife,SarahConnorhasahorrible
dreaminwhichsheseesherself(assheappearedinthe1984Terminator)andhersoninaplaygroundthatisengulfedanddisintegratedbyanuclearinferno.The
dreamsequencejuxtaposesherbutchy,militantandmuscular,streamlinedlookwithherbighaired,softerandrounder,femmeyimagefromthefirstterminatorfilm.
WhilethisisareinscriptionofthefameandbisexualappealofSchwarzeneggerasaprofessionalbodybuilder,6 itisalsoanimageofmaternallovehardenedbythe
spectreofnuclearwar.SarahConnorpointsahightechrifleattheoriginofnuclearapocalypse,theintellectualfatherofthecomputerautomatedmilitarydefense
systemcalledSkynet.Shecanfocusinonthesupposedcause:ablackmannamedDyson.SarahConnor,onceanunassumingworkingclasswaitress,nowhas
alliancesinMexicoandNicaragua,armsrippedwithmuscles,sophisticatedguerrillagear,andanantinuclearattitude.
AssheapproachesMilesDyson,weseethathe,incontrast,hasachievedtheAmericanDreamofprosperity,completewithlovingfamily.Hehasaswimmingpool,a
stateofthearthomecomputer,andaboywhoisplayfullystalkinghimwitharemotecontroltruck,atoyversionofwhat

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JohnConnorandtheTerminatorusetoracetothescene.ItistheplasticbatteryruntrucknotthathulkingoldmetalFordthatsavesDysonbyattackinghisankle,
wherehestoopsandconsequentlymissesthesilentshotfiredbySarah.Sarahshiftstomachinegunmodeandstartsblasting,intendingtokillDysonregardlessofthe
pleadingchildorhisscreamingwife.Inthisway,Sarahsattitudeisantinuclearfamilyaswellasagainstnuclearwar.Butshecantgothroughwiththemurderandis
joinedbytheTerminatorandhersonJohn,whomshetearfullytellsthatshehasalwaysloved.
SheverbalizesherreasonsforattackingDysonintermsthatAliceEcholswouldattributetoaparticularschooloffeministthinkingthatpolarizesandessentializes
menscultureandwomensculture.ConnorsaysthatnuclearholocaustisduetofuckingmenlikeDysonwhodontknowwhatitmeanstocreatealife,tofeel
somethinglivinginsideyou,andcontinuestoposittheproductionoftheHbombasmensjealousresponsetothereproductivepowerthatwomenembody.Thus
shesetsupaculturaloppositionbetweenmenandwomenbasedonbiologicalfunctionsorthelackofthem.ThesegeneralizationsarecutshortbysonJohnwho
dismissesthemasironicallynotconstructivejustasmomConnorisaccusingmenofbeinginnatelydestructive.
ThisbelittlingofculturalfeminismseemsespeciallyinterestinggivenConnorsconfrontationwithDyson,theheadofanaffluentblackfamily,ablackmaleintellectual,a
scientificprofessionalinthetraditionofDr.CliffHuxtableofTheCosbyShow.Whenconfrontedwiththefactthathesresponsibleforfuturenuclearapocalypse,
Dysonagrees(atthepromptingofhiswife)tochangethings,destroyhisresearch,andeventuallysacrificeshimselfinamannerthatmightbedescribedasnoble.A
confrontationwhichpitsthenobleblackmanagainsttheprotectivewhitemotherhashistoricalrootsthatcrossandinterconnect.Iwanttoexaminethediscursiveweb
atworkbetweenMilesDysonandSarahConnor,andsuggestthatthesehistoricalinterfacingsaremoreconvolutedandperhapsmorelethalthantheshapeshifting
liquidmetalterminator,theT1000,orhisnemesis,themoremechanicalcyborgplayedbySchwarzenegger.
SarahConnorsattempttomurderMilesDysonputsinoppositionawhitewomanandablackman,whomshecallsmotherfucker.Thisoppositionstructurally
resemblesahistoricalscenariodatingfromthenineteenthcenturyandusedasarationaleforlynching.AccordingtomanyAfricanAmericanwomenintellectuals,7 and
toquoteJaneGaines,thereisanostensibleoppositionbetweenblackmenandwhitewomenthatisasexualscenariotorivaltheOedipalmyth(24).
Inthenineteenthcenturywhitemenaccusedblackmenofrapingwhitewomenasareasonforlynchingand/orcastratingformerslaves.The

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displacementoftherealityofwhitemen(slaveholders)victimizingblackwomenontoafictionofblackmenvictimizingwhitewomenisstillatworkinthelatetwentieth
century.Iseethatdisplacinglogicinactionwhenfearsaboutgenocidegetpresentedassomethingthatblackmendotowhitewomeninsteadofwhatwhitemendoto
blackwomen.ThatdisplacinglogicoflynchingcultureisreplayedinT2,butnotintermsofrape.AsConnorscreamsatDysonwhilecondemningthedesignersof
thermonuclearwarheads,themoviepresentsacounterhistoricalreversalinthatawhitewomanisagonizedbygenocidaltechnologiesproducedbyablackman.Let
mefirstdiscusshowDysonisseenasthethreatofgenocide.Iwillthendiscusshow,historically,itswhitemenwhothreatenwomenofcolorwithgenocide,notvice
versaasT2suggests.
Insteadofbeinglynchedorcastratedforraping,Dysoniscastratedandmurderedforsupposedlymastermindinggenocide,whichwouldamounttoannihilatingall
futuregenerations.Moststraightforwardly,ConnorsetsouttokillDysonbecauseheistheoneresponsibleforproducingthetechnologythatleadstoSkynet,the
defensesystemthatcomestoconsciousnessandoverrideshumanauthoritytocreatethenuclearapocalypticJudgmentDay.ButSarahsquesttostopSkynets
creator,Dyson,isapersonalnecessity,notapoliticaloppositionitisanactoftranscendentmaternallove.SarahConnorillustratesJonathanSchellsunderstandingof
disarmamentasanactofparentallove(asquotedinSofia58).Moreover,Schellredefinesparentinginanallinclusiveway:Nuclearperilmakesallofus,whether
wehappentohavechildrenofourownornot,theparentsofallfuturegenerations(Sofia58).Giventhisnotionofgenocideastheexterminationofallfuture
generations,thecreatorofSkynetisagenocidalthreatinaveryspecificway.ThecreatorofSkynetisasortofcosmicabortionist,whichthemoviesscript
insinuateswhenthingsgoawryintheCyberdynelabandMilesDysonsays,wehavetoabort.
Thislinkofabortiontonucleargenocideismadeinthefirstterminatormovie,whereReese,asoldierfromthefuture,issentbackintimetoprotectSarah,thefuture
motherofJohnConnor,fromtheTerminator.ReeseexplainstoapsychiatristhowtheTerminatorhasgonebackintimetothwarttheresistancemovementledby
adultJohnConnorinthetwentyfirstcentury(andtherebyensurethesuccessofSkynetsgenocidalapocalypse)bykillingJohnConnorsmotherbeforeheis
conceived.Thepatronizingpsychiatristsumsupthistranstemporaleffortasanattemptatasortofaretroactiveabortion.Inadditiontopossiblyinvokingprimal
scenefantasies,8 thetimetravelthatReesespeaksofinthissceneistheconventionofatimeloop:atropethatstructuresnotonlyclassicsciencefictionbutthe
rhetoricsurroundingabortionaswell.

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Thetimelooptropethatmakessenseoutofaretroactiveabortion(anattempttokillanadultmanbeforeheisconceived)isthesamelogicusedtoargueagainst
terminatingapregnancy.Inantiabortionrhetoric,thefetusrepresentsbothafutureandformerchild.Itsimultaneouslydenotestheembryoyouoncewereandthe
childthatembryomaybecome.Thissenseofacollapsedfuture9 isexemplifiedinfetalrightslegislation,too.Forinstance,a1978Missourilaw,Berstrasserv.
Mitchell,ruledthat
achildbornwithbraindamagebecauseofinjuryinflictedtohismothersuterusduringacaesariansectionforpriordeliveryhadanindependentcauseofactionagainstthe
physicianswhoperformedthesurgerybeforethechildsconception.(Poovey248)

Thesamebacktothefuturelogicthatgrantsthischildtherighttosuedoctors,topunishthemforthefuturebraindamagethattheysupposedlycausedbeforethat
braindamagedchildisconceived(andhasabraintobedamaged)isthesamesciencefictionlogicthatcompelstheTerminatorofthefirstfilmtogobackintimeto
terminateJohnConnorbykillinghismombeforesheconceiveshim.ThistimelooplogicisfullyestablishedandtakenforgrantedfromthebeginningofTerminator
2,whenboththeTerminatorandtheT1000comebacktothepasttoensureorpreventafuturethatisbothaforegoneconclusionandafundamentalpremise.
Therefore,whenDysonissetupasthemanwhobothhasalreadydestroyedandhasyettodestroyhumanity,itmakessenseinascrewybutculturallyvalidway.
WhenDysonproposesthattheyhavetoabort,weknowthathestalkingaboutabortinghumanityaswellasabortingtheplantostopSkynetthatthenuclear
apocalypsethathasalreadyhappenedinthefutureisimminentandthattimeloopsallowalltheseretroactiveabortion[s]tooccur.
Whiletheselinksmaynotbeexplicitlyplayedoutintheterminatormovies,themergingofthesediscourseson/ofsciencefiction,thermonuclearmilitarism,and
abortionpoliticssucceedsinideologicallysaturatingaconfrontationbetweenablackmanandawhitewoman.Alsointhistoxicdiscursiveconfluenceis,Icontend,the
displacinglogicoflynchingculturewhichswapsarealityofwhitemenvictimizingblackwomenforafictionofblackmenvictimizingwhitewomen.Historically,ithas
beenwomenofcolorwhohavesufferedthegenocidaltechnologiesdesignedandlegislatedbywhitemen,notwhitewomenatthemercyofblackmen,asTerminator
2suggestsinopposingConnorandDyson.BasedonresearchpresentedbyAngelaDavisinRacism,BirthControlandReproductiveRights,thefollowingisa
chronologicalsmatteringofthe

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genocidaltechnologiesatworkintwentiethcenturyUSAalone.IofferthistoshedhistoricallightontheConnorDysonoppositioningeneralandConnorscultural
feministcommentinparticular.
Inthefirsttwodecadesofthecentury,accordingtoDavis,fearsofracesuicideofthewhiteracekillingitselfoffcompelledleaderslikeTeddyRoosevelt,the
Carnegies,andtheKelloggstosupporteugenicsprograms.By1930,26statespassedcompulsorysterilizationlawsandthousandsofunfitpeopleofcolorwere
surgicallypreventedfromreproducing.In1939,anationalbirthcontrolorganizationdevelopedaNegroProjectinwhichblackministerswereinsidiouslyrecruited
toleadlocalbirthcontrolcommittees.AccordingtoDavis,thisepisodeinthebirthcontrolmovementconfirmedtheideologicalvictoryoftheracismassociatedwith
eugenicideas(215).
Inthe40sandthe50s,birthcontrolbecamepopulationcontrol.FranklinRooseveltconsideredoverpopulationthecauseofPuertoRicoseconomicdifficulty
andlaunchedanexperimentalcampaignthere,whichresultedina20percentdeclineinpopulationgrowthbythemid1960s.Bythe1970s,morethan35percentof
allPuertoRicanwomenofchildbearingageweresurgicallysterilized.In1972,16,000womenand8,000menweresterilizedintheU.S.accordingtotheDepartment
ofHealth,Education,andWelfare,whichlaterestimatedthatbetween100,000and200,000sterilizationshadactuallybeenfundedthatyearbythefederal
government.Thesefigures,disproportionately,representedblackandChicanawomen.Thesamegovernmentsystemthatofferedfreesterilizationeither(1)wouldnt
payforabortionservices,or(2)providedservicesontheconditionthatthepatientagreedtosterilization.Forexample,Davisreports,anIndianHealthServices
HospitalinOklahomawasreportedtosterilize1outofevery4NativeAmericanwomengivingbirthinthatfederalfacility.
Itwouldbeinaccuratetoattributethesefearfulattemptstopreventwhiteracesuicidetowhitemenalone.Notonlywerethereindividualwomenintheeugenics
movementsbirthcontrolleaderandfeministMargaretSangerwasanadministratoroftheaforementionedNegroProjectbutcollectively,whitefeministinterests
opposedattemptstostopcompulsorysterilization.AccordingtoThomasShapiro,in1972PlannedParenthood,NOW,andtheNationalAssociationtoRepeal
AbortionLaws(NARAL)protestedasterilizationguidelineproposedbytheCommitteetoEndSterilizationAbuse(CESA,thepredecessorofCARASA,
CommitteeforAbortionRightsandAgainstSterilizationAbuse).Theguidelinecalledfora30daywaitingperiod,whichaddressedtheneedsoftheundereducatedor
nonEnglishspeakingwomenwhoaremostsusceptibletosterilizationabuse(Shapiro140).Thisliberalfeministproteststemmedeitherfroma

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class/racebiasthatpreventedwhitefeministsfromseeingtheadvantageoftheguideline,orfromafearthattheconcomitantabortioncausewouldbehurtifthey
alignedthemselveswiththisother,seeminglyunrelatedissue.
ThereisacommondenominatorbetweenthisabridgedhistoryoffeministinvolvementingenocidaltechnologiesandSarahConnorsculturalfeministoutburstthat
ignoresracialinequitieswhilebemoaninggenderdifferences.Inbothcases,theissueofracismisignoredandevenadvancedbyawomansissue.Ithinkthesame
historicaldynamicofproducingracismthroughwomensrightsishappeningwhenwhitemomSarahConnor,whoexaltsherabilitytocreatealivingthingwhile
condemningmenspotentialfordestruction,blamesablackmanforthedeathofhumanity,theabortionofallfuturegenerations.10
Itis,then,ahistoricallyconvolutedandideologicallysaturatedscenewhenConnorandallsherepresentswhitewomanhood,culturalfeminism,thenuclearmother
forwhomdisarmamentisanactofparentalloveconfrontsDysonasthemythicblackmenaceopposedtowhitewomanhood,theapocalypticmotherfuckerthat
CameronsnarrativeviaSarahConnorcontendsheis,andasthecosmicabortionistofallfuturegenerations.Atworkherearemanypotenttechnologiesthatarefar
moreelusiveandcontortionisticthantheT1000,andfarmoreintricateandinsidiousthantechnologyasrepresentedbythecomputerchipandthecyborgianarmthat
ConnorandcompanymustretrievefromCyberdynelabsanddestroy.
DysontakesthemtoCyberdynewhenitismadecleartohimwhohesdealingwith.Afterbeinghitbyabulletmeanttokillhim,Dysonasks,Whoareyoupeople?
Inresponse,John,alittlewhiteboy,handsaknifeovertothebigwhitemanandsaysseverely,Showthem.TheTerminatorproceedstoterrorizeDysonandhis
wifebycuttingoffthecyberskintorevealamechanicalarmandhand.Narratively,theimplicitanswertowhoareyoupeopleis:werethepeoplewhohavearms
justliketheoneDysonhasinaglassdomeatCyberdynelabs.DysonrecognizestheTerminatorsarmbecause,aswelearnwhenDysontakesthemintothelabs,he
hasbeenstudyingasimilarappendage,aleftoverarmfromthepreviousTerminator,whosestorycomprisedthefirstTerminatorfilm(1984).
Historically,however,theimplicitanswertoDysonsquestionis:werethepeoplewhocutfleshwithoutflinching.Seeingawhitemanwithaknifeevokesnota
FreudiancastrationanxietybutratherahistoricalcastrationanxietythatImentionedearlierwithregardtoGainessscenario.LikeGaines,bellhookscontendsthat
practicallyallthevisualimagesthatremainoflynchingsofblackmalesbywhitemobsshowblackstobesexuallymutilated,usuallycastrated(81).SowhenJohn

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triumphantlygrabsthatchipandarmatCyberdyne,itisnounloadedexclamationhemakes:WevegotSkynetbytheballsnow!ThecastrationofSkynettaking
Skynetbytheballsisasubstitutionforthelynching/castration/murderofDyson,whoisthesymbolicblackmotherfuckerwhoservesasthescapegoatforthe
actualmenwhoconceivethermonuclearwar11andsomanyothertechnologiesofgenocide.
Andwhat,accordingtoTerminator2,setsoffthisnetworkofgenocidaltechnologies?Again,MilesDysonsetsitoff.Ivealreadyarguedthathedoesso
ideologically,asthemythicblackmenaceopposedtowhitewomanhood.Butalso,visuallyandliterally,Dysonisthedetonator.Hisbody,immobilizedandholding
theironicremotecontroldeviceaimedattheexplosiveshessittingbeside,mechanicallygivesout.Theremotecontroltechnologyrepresentedbyhissonslittle
truckthatsavedhimathomecantsavehimnow.Ashislast,sharpintakesofbreathgraduallyslowlikeaclockoratoythatneedsrewinding,hisarmfallsand
triggerstheexplosives.ItstemptingheretoarguethatMilesDysonisthemanmachinecombinationtherealcyborgasopposedtoeitherterminatorinthismovie.
MypointaboutDyson,however,isthat(t)hisbodyasopposedbyConnorsishistoricallyandnarrativelypartofatremendousnetworkoftechnologiesthatinclude
governmentpoliciesoneugenicsfeministstancesonabortionintersectingfictionsofrace,masculinity,andfemininitythescienceofnuclearwarandtheinstitutionsof
rapeandlynching.DysonembodiesthesetechnologiesonlyinrelationtoandinasmuchasConnor.WhilewemakemeaningofallthatDysonembodies,weare
alsomakingmeaningofwhatConnorembodies.Theblack,upwardlymobileintellectualfatherisproducedwithandthroughthewhitemilitantfeministmother,and
viceversa.YetmyprojectisnottofleshoutexplicitlythisparticularhistoricalanddiscursiveproductionofwhiteAmericanfemininityandblackAmericanmasculinity.
Instead,Imsuggestingthatwithasenseofhistoryassomethingascontingentandconstructedasacyborg,wecansituatepoliticalproblemsinrelationsbetweenor
amongbodiesinsteadofpositingpoliticsinthebodyitself.Theserelationscantbecontainedinindividualorsingularbodiesregardlessoftheirmodern,medico
psychologicaldepthortheirpostmodern,spectacular,schizophrenicdepthlessnessbecausethediscoursesthat(re)producethosebodiesarehistorical.Tosay,then,
asdoesHaraway(181),thatweknowofnoothertimeinhistorywhentherewasgreaterneedforpoliticalunitytoconfronteffectivelythedominationsofrace,
gender,sexuality,andclassistoviewhistorymyopically.Tosituateacallforaposthumanpoliticalunity(orcollectivitybasedonaffinity)primarilywith
regardtothehightechlatetwentiethcentury

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istoreduceposthumanityorantihumanismtoanexperience.12Suchareductionmissestheopportunitytoclaimposthumanityasanessentiallypoliticalcondition
or(even!)platformwhich,despitepostmoderntimeloopeddistortionsoftemporality,canalsobehistoricized.
Onewayofcreatingthathistoryistorememberhowtheannouncementthatthebodyhasahistoryiscoterminouswiththeannouncementthatthemodernselfor
theEnlightenmentsubjectisalsoahistoricalconvention.Thereismuchslippagebetweentheseideasofthebodyandtheselfashistorical,hencedenaturalized
andpoliticalconstructs.Forexample,argumentssurroundingabortioninthe1960s,70sand80sreecthowradicalfeministsinterrogationofthepoliticalsubject
gavewaytoliberalfeministsprotectionofthepoliticalbody.Thisslippagefromconsideringpoliticalsubjectstoconsideringpoliticalbodiesisnotexclusiveto
feministsoftentheintellectualmovefrompoliticalsubjectstopoliticalbodiesconflatesthetwo,sothatwhenwetalkaboutourbodieswetalkaboutourselves.
Notenoughattentionhasbeenpaidtothiseasymovementbetweenbodiesandselvesandonlybyhistoricizingtheemergenceoftheseideascanweseewhat
opportunitiesanddangersareatstakeinthisslippage.
Therefore,historymaybeinefficientasamethodofprocessinginformation,asoureditorsinsist(seeintroduction),butitisnotinadequateorobsolete.Halberstam
andLivingstonaremoreexplicitthanHarawayindescribingwhytheyprivilegethiseraoveranyothertimeinhistorytheyfocusonthepresentasanunprecedented
timeorconditionwhenhistory,socialhistory,chronologicalhistory,aredyingwiththewhitemaleofwesternmetaphysicsandconsequentlyitisnolongerenoughto
saywherewehavebeen.AlthoughIsharewiththeeditorsthepoststructuralistaimtodetectanderadicatemetaphysics,13Ifearthatwewillstopexamining
wherewevebeenorthatwereplaceratherthanenhancethatexaminationwithanewnotionorrepresentationofourbodies,ourselves.Ifearthatwithoutsaying
wherewevebeenandwithoutdefiningspecificpoliticalgoals,eventhebestintentionstotheorizeembodimentassomethingotherthanfixedlocationinareified
body(Haraway195)canobscurethehistoricalanddiscursiveproductionofsubjectivities,andconsequentlyhidesomeofthepoliticalopportunitiesandpitfalls
availableinunderstandingsuchproductions.Definingorowninguptowhatthosepoliticalopportunitiesandpitfallsareiswhatcanpreventtheposthumanprojectfrom
becomingtoomuchlikeTerminator2,wheretherazzledazzleofsingle,plastic(nottomentionwhiteandmale)bodiesgetsmoreairtimethantheimpliedordirect,
historicalanddiscursiveconfrontationsthatsupplytheplasticityoutofwhichculturallyvalidbodiesandsubjectivitiesarise.

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Thusfar,Ihaveexploredthecyborgasarepresentativetheoryofpoliticalembodimentthatoftenobscuresthehistoricalanddiscursive(reproductionofsubjects.I
havearguedthatbyjettisoningourrelianceonwhattheeditorscallsingularitieswecanunderstandnotonlythattheTerminatorembodiesmanydifferent
masculinities,butthatthosemultiplemasculinitiesbecomeculturallycoherentandhumanifiedbywayofconflictsbetweenDysonandConnor.Togetherandin
conjunctionwiththeTerminator,DysonandConnorreproducequeerness,race,gender,andclassnotaccordingtoseparateorsingularbodiesbutaccordingto
historicaldiscourses.IhopethisreadingofTerminator2hasprovidedanexampleofwhatthinkingintermsotherthansingularitiescanyield,andhasdemonstrated
thatitsreallynotcyborgs,oranyindividualbodies,thatweneedtoexamine.Itstheexaminationofcontingentandperpetualprocessofhistoricalanddiscursivere
productionthatcanallowustobetterlocate,articulate,andspecifytheaimsofthispoliticalunityorposthumanwe.
Toclose,Iwanttoshowhowafocusoncyborgismratherthangoodorbadcyborgscanenablethespecifyingofpoliticalaims.Thisentailsconcretizingatheoretical
situationinthespecificpoliticalcaseofabortion.MaryPooveyhaswrittenaproposalagainstregardingtheabortioncontroversyasafightoverindividualrightsand
bodilyintegrity.InTheAbortionQuestionandtheDeathofMan,Pooveyofferswhatshehopeswillbeanextremelycontroversialargumentthatbeginswithan
examinationofthemetaphysicsofsubstancethatisimplicitinthediscourseofrights[and]historicallyrelatedtothebasictenetsofindividualism(243).Poovey
anticipatescontroversybecausesheproposesnotonlyanalternativelineofargumentbutalsoanattackonthesecherishedideals.Basically,shesuggeststhatwe
conceptualizetheindividualintermsofitsheterogeneityornonunitarynatureandsituateitinanetworkofsocialrelations.Todothis,sheargues,wemustdispense
withthebodyasarequisiteforlegalpersonhood.
ItwouldappearasifPooveyisapplyinganewcyborgisticreadingtotheoldcaseofabortion.LikeHaraway,sheiscallingforasenseofresponsibilityinthe
constructionofsocialboundaries.LikemyT2argument,heranalysisendsupdisembodyingtheforcesinvolvedtorevealthehistoricalanddiscursivewebthat
ensnareswomenwhowishtoterminateapregnancy.Thusshecanspeculatethatthisnonindividualisticpoliticscouldputabortionalongsideotherservicesthat
recognizesocialneeds
suchservicesasprenatalcare,childdaycareforworkingparents,andmedicalcareforthoseunabletocareforthemselves.Farfrommakingtheabortionissuemorearcaneor
difficulttoidentifywith,

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thisrepositioningofabortionwithinthelandscapeofcontemporaryissuesmightwellincreasethenumberofpeoplewillingtosupportabortionondemand,foritwouldalign
advocatesofsafeandlegalabortionswiththemillionsofwomenandmenwhosupportsafeandeffectivebirthcontrolandwiththegrowingnumbersofpeoplewhoendorse
plansfordaycareandparentalleave,aswellassomesystemofsubsidizedhealthcarecapableofguaranteeingaffordablemedicalservicetoeveryone.(25253)

Ineffect,sheslookingtoconductacyborgisticlegislationforpeopleaffectedbytheabortiondebate,andtostrategizeaccordingtothedisaggregationofsocial
relationsthatsuchareadingreveals.
Itinterestsmegreatly,then,todiscoverthatherinterpretiveandpoliticalstrategydoesnotstemfromanyleftistmanifestooranythingdesiringtobeassociatedwith
termslikefeminismorsocialism.Pooveynotifiesherreadersupfront:
Ironically,thetermsofthealternativepoliticsIwilloutlineherehavealreadybeenintroducedintotheabortiondebatebyitsmostconservativeparticipantsthosepeoplewho
endorsetheideaoffetalpersonhood.Thefetalpersonhoodargument,afterall,makesitclearthattheembodiedindividualisonlyoneofmanypossibleinterpretationsofwhat
countsasalegalpersonpossessedofrights.Thispositionthereforeintroducedthepossibilitythatlegalpersonhoodmightbeassignedtosomeunitthatislesserorgreaterthan
theembodiedindividual.(251)

TheironyPooveyrevealsherebringsusbacktotheinterviewquestionIopenedwith.Rosssobservationthatthecyborgcanswingbothwaysclasheswith
Harawaysclaimthatcyborgshavenotruckwithbisexuality(150).Whatcyborgslackinbisexuality,Rossmightargue,theymakeupforwithbitextuality.Pooveys
analysisindicatesthatcyborgismhasindeedswungbothwaystextually,oratleastcontextually,sincethesamereadingpracticethatcreatesadisaggregationofthe
discoursesofthebodyiscompellinginboththesocialistfeministcontextandtheprolifelegalcontext.Moreover,thisironyPooveydiscoverssuggeststhat
Harawaysmodelofsocialrelations(i.e.,thecyborg)isnotwhatthisstrategyhasswungfrombutswungto.Inotherwords,theconservativerightsconceptionof
fetalrightshas,initsdisembodimentoflegalpersonhood,predatedifnotanticipatedthepoliticalstrategythatisHarawayscyborgism.Herewehaveanopportunity
toquestionwhethercyborgsreallyare,asHarawayclaims,exceedinglyunfaithfultotheirorigins(151,myemphasis).Topushthepoint,Imightgosofarasto
suggestthatthefetusis

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theoriginalcyborg,inthatthesociolegalmythofprenatallifeisacyborgconstructionexceedinglyfaithfultoitsorigins.
Inanycase,Pooveysworkhelpstorevealthemagnitudeofthemaintroublewithcyborgswhich,accordingtoHaraway,isthattheyaretheillegitimateoffspringof
militarismandpatriarchalcapitalism,towhichtheyshouldbeunfaithful.Inotherwords,cyborgsaremadeofthestufftheyaremeanttobedisloyalto,todisrespect,
andtodismantle.14Itisimportanttorecognizetheextenttowhichthistroublecanbeexploited.Puttingthecyborgsbitextuality(itsabilitytoswingbothways)in
thecontextofabortionshowshowdisturbingthistroublecanbe.Specifically,itcandisturbthedichotomiesonwhichtheabortiondebaterests.
Withoutsuccumbingtothepleasure/dangerofsquaringoffgoodcyborgsfrombadwhichoccursatthecostofengagingcyborgismasananalyticofdiscursive
historieswecantakethisopportunitytoacknowledgethat,atleastwithregardtoabortion,therelationshipbetweenbodilyintegrityandrightsisproducedand
sustainedequallybytwodichotomizedcamps,namelyprochoiceandprolife.Pooveyrevealshowprochoicephilosophyisasmuchaproducerasanopponentof
fetalrightsthinkingwhenshediscussesRoev.Wade:
thebasisforshiftingthediscussionaboutabortiontotheissueoffetalrightswaslaidnotbyWebsterbutbyRoev.Wade.For,inlocatingthepointintimeatwhichan
individualacquiresrightsatamomentbeforebirththroughtheconceptsofviabilityandpotentiallife,Roeimplicitlycalledattentiontothearbitrarinessofrelyingonthe
biologicalstateofembodimentforadefinitionofthesocialconceptofmeaningfullifeand,byextension,thesociolegalconceptoflegalpersonhood.(248)

ThusPooveybeginstodemonstratehowtheprochoicemovement,whoseparagonofrightsisRoe,andtheprolifemovement,whichowesthelegalarticulationof
lifetoRoe,arediscursivelyintertwinedandmutuallyproducingthetermsoftheabortiondebate.LikeDysonandConnor,prolifeandprochoiceworktogetheras
complicateddiscursivemachinerywhichrepeatedlychurnsoutsubjectivitiesembodiedasprochoicersandproliferssubjectsasreal,forexample,asterroristPaul
Hill,whoassassinatedabortionistJohnBrittoninPensacolainJuly1994.
WhilethereisnodoubtthatwecanrecognizePaulHillasanintolerablybadcyborg,wemustalsorecognizethehistoricalresiduesthatlubricatehisdelusionalgears.
Fightthis[abortion]asyouwouldfightslavery!Hillyelledatthecamera,implyingthatfetusistowomanasslaveistoslavemaster,which,intheAmericancontext,
racializesboththefetus

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asblackandthewomanaswhite.Hillthusreproducesabortionasanimplicitcontestbetweenraces.15
Weknowbetterthantosimplysubstitutetheprochoice/prolifedebateforanothertwopartyoppositionlikeblackagainstwhiteorDysonagainstConnor.Toooften
suchoppositions,representedassingledebatesorembodiedbysingularindividuals,swingbothways.Cyborgismasapoliticalreadingpracticeifnotreducedto
demonizingbadcyborgsandexaltinggoodonescancollapseoppositions.TracingthecyborgismofabortionpoliticsintheUSAexposesandexplodesthefalse
dichotomiesonwhichtheabortiondebateishinged.Thisleadsus,asPooveynotes,withadifferentsetofpoliticalalliancesandaims,whileenabling,asHaraway
says,arefusaltogiveupthegame,arefusaltoacceptorreproduce(intermsofchoice)therightsarticulationoftheproblemofabortion.
Notes
Iwanttothankthosewhohelpedwiththisessaywhich,althoughnotcollaborativelywritten,isaproductofmanydiscussionswithmanyfolks,including:StephAthey,
MaureenKonkle,BettyJoseph,JohnMowitt,TheaPetchler,PaulaRabinowitz,MartyRoth,andtheaudienceandmembersoftheScienceFictionpanelatthe1992
MidwestModernLanguageAssociationmeeting,whereaversionofthispaperwaspresented.Forgoodcriticism,Ithanktheeditorsofandreadersforthisvolume.
1.TheessayfirstappearedinSocialistReview80(1985):65108.AllquotationsandpaginationIuse,unlessnoted,refertothereprintedversion,publishedin
HarawaysSimians,Cyborgs,andWomen:TheReinventionofNature(1991).
2.ThisquotationappearsinTheActorsAreCyborg,NatureIsCoyote,andtheGeographyIsElsewhere:PostscripttoCyborgsatLargeinTechnoculture,21.
3.ClaudiaSpringerdiscussesthewidespreadtendencyofcyborgsinpopularculturetointensifyratherthaneliminategenderdifferences.SeeherThePleasureofthe
Interface,Screen32:3(Autumn1991):30323.MargePiercysnovelHe,She,andItneutralizes,contains,andembodiesanyshiftingdefinitionsofgender.Mother
andfatherfiguresservetooedipalizePiercyscyborg,whichresultsinnaturalizingandheterosexualizingYod.Yodhasallthetraditionalattributesofamanbecausea
humanmale,Avram,designshimfordefense,equippinghimwithcyberneticmusclesandpenis,andwithsoftwarethatgiveshimpleasureinviolence.Ashightech
midwifetoAvramscreation,MalkahprogramsemotionsinYod,designssomesortofsurgeprotectorthatgiveshimaneasycomingtoconsciousness,andservesas
hissexualteachersheisthesourceforfemininetraits.Piercysculturalfeminism

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isevidenthereinpositingafigurewhoclearlyisintendedtosubvertnaturalsexualdifference,shereestablishesthatdifferenceasthefundamentalproblem.Yodis,
dialecticallyenough,acyborgwhosynthesizesthebestofbothsexedworldsandassuchneverinterrogatesthecategoriesofmasculinityandfemininitybutcontains
andconfirmsthem.
4.ThisphraseandconceptisFrantzFanons.Seechapter5ofBlackSkin,WhiteMasks(NewYork:GrovePress,1967).
5.VivianSobchackdiscussesthisschizophrenicrelationship(11)betweenmoviegenresinthe80sinChild/Alien/Father:PatriarchalCrisisandGenericExchange
inCloseEncounters:Film,Feminism,andScienceFiction.ConstancePenley,ElisabethLyon,LynnSpigel,JanetBergstrom,eds.(Minneapolis:Universityof
MinnesotaPress,1991).
6.InadditiontoGoldbergsargument,novelistHarryCrewsalsomaintainsthatArnoldSchwarzeneggerhasabisexualappeal:All[Schwarzenegger]hadtodowas
takeoffhisshirttobeworthtenmilliondollarsbecauseeverymansdickintheaudiencegothardandeverywomangotwettotheknees.Body(NewYork:
PoseidonPress,1990)7475.
7.TheworksofnineteenthcenturywritersPaulineHopkins,IdaB.Wells,andAnnaJuliaCooperarethebasisforcontemporaryunderstandingsoflynchingculture.
SeeAngelaDavis,RacismandtheMythoftheBlackRapist,Woman,RaceandClass(NewYork:RandomHouse,1983)JaneGaines,WhitePrivilegeand
LookingRelations,Screen29(Autumn1988):1227HazelCarby,OntheThresholdofWomensEra:Lynching,Empire,andSexualityinBlackFeminist
Theory,Race,Writing,andDifference,ed.HenryLouisGates,Jr.(Chicago:UniversityofChicagoPress),1986bellhooks,BlackLooks(Boston:SouthEnd
Press),1992.SeealsoStephanieAthey,ContestedBodies:TheWritingofWhitenessandGenderinAmericanLiterature(DAI,1993).
8.ConstancePenleyarguesthisinTimeTravel,PrimalScene,andtheCriticalDystopia,CameraObscura15(1986):6784.
9.LiketheStarChildofKubricks19672001:ASpaceOdyssey,theterminatorandReeseembodywhatZoeSofiacallsacollapsedfuture.Liketheterminator
whoentersthepastnakedandinthefetalposition,theagedastronautof2001becomesacosmicfetusthatisbothfuturisticandembryonic(Sofia57).AsSofia
explains,antiabortionideologythrivesonthisconceptofacollapsedfuturebyinsistingthatnotonlydidyoucomefrombutthatyouoncewereanembryo,and
bypromotingthefetusasanastronautinaninteruterinespaceship(5657).ThissecondtacticisespeciallyrichgiventhedecisionoftheNewRighttolaunchinthe
early1980sanantiabortioncampaignaspartofageneralconservativestrategytoreprivatizehealthandwelfareserviceswhilefreeingupmoreresourcesforarms
buildup,includingReagansbutnotGeorgeLucassStarWars(Sofia54).
10.ThehistoricaldynamicofracismandwomensrightsthatInodtohereisthesubjectofanemergingapproachtofeministstudiesandthehistoryof

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womensliteraryproduction.Foranindepthdiscussionofthisdynamicasitresonateswithmyargument,seeContestedBodies:TheWritingofWhitenessand
GenderinAmericanLiterature,arecentdissertationbyStephanieAthey.
11.ThisisnottosaythattherearenoblackswhosupportSDI,thatblacksarecollectivelyopposedtogenocidaltechnologieslikethermonuclearwarheads(infact
oneAfricanAmericannuclearengineerwasawardedaspecialcitationfromtheSecretaryofDefenseforhisworkontheManhattanProject).Rather,mypointliesin
thedisplacinglogicoflynchingculture,thelogicthatproducesthemythoftheblackrapist(asDaviscallsit)whichbynomeansmaintainsthattherearenoblack
menwhorape.
12.ThankstoTheaPetchlerforthisinsight.
13.ThisdefinitionofpoststructuralismsofficialmissionisFredricJamesons(seeActuallyExistingMarxism,Polygraph6/71993,170).
14.TherootofthistroubleandthesourceofthecyborgsironywhichallowsittoswingbothwaysmayhavealreadybeenlocatedbyJoanScott.Shesuggeststhat
Harawaysmanifestotautologicallylaunchesacritiqueofsocialistfeminismfromwithinthephilosophicalconfinesofsocialistfeminism.SeeCommentary:Cyborgian
Socialists?inComingtoTerms,ElizabethWeed,ed.(NewYork:Routledge,1989).
15.HillscomparisonofabortiontoslaveryisinthesamerhetoricaltraditionthatpresentsRoev.Wade(1973)ashomologoustoDredScottv.Sandford(1857),
thelegislationthatsupposedlydeniedcitizenshiptoAfricanAmericansonthebasisoftheirbeinganinferiorclassofpeople.Iexplorethishomologyandtheissueof
abortionasanimplicitcontestbetweenracesmorefullyinanotheressay,ManagingKingandAdministratingLife:OverturningSovereignPowerasaRecurrent
SymbolicNarrativeinAmericanPolitics(presentedatthenationalmeetingoftheAmericanPoliticalScienceAssociation,September1994).
WorksCited
Cameron,James,dir.TheTerminator,1984Aliens,1986Terminator2,1991.
Davis,AngelaY.Women,Race,andClass.NewYork:Vintage,1981.
Deleuze,Gilles,andFelixGuattari.AntiOedipus:CapitalismandSchizophrenia.Minneapolis:UniversityofMinnesotaPress,1983.
Echols,Alice.TheTamingoftheId:FeministSexualPolitics196883.PleasureandDanger:ExploringFemaleSexuality.CaroleVance,ed.NewYork:Rout
ledge,1984.
Gaines,Jane.WhitePrivilegeandLookingRelations:RaceandGenderinFeministFilmTheory.Screen29(Autumn1988):1227.
Goldberg,Jonathan.RecallingTotalities:TheMirroredStagesofArnoldSchwarzenegger.Differences4.1(1992):172204.

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Haraway,Donna.Simians,Cyborgs,andWomen:TheReinventionofNature.NewYork:Routledge,1991.
hooks,bell.BlackLooks:RaceandRepresentation.Boston:SouthEndPress,1992.
Poovey,Mary.TheAbortionQuestionandtheDeathofMan.FeministsTheorizethePolitical.JoanW.ScottandJudithButler,eds.NewYork:Routledge,
1992.
Ross,Andrew,andConstancePenley.Technoculture.Minneapolis:UniversityofMinnesotaPress,1991.
Shapiro,Thomas.PopulationControlPolitics:Women,Sterilization,andReproductiveChoice.Philadelphia:TempleUniversityPress,1985.
Sofia,Zoe.ExterminatingFetuses:Abortion,Disarmament,andtheSexosemioticsofExtraterrestrialism.Diacritics14.2(1984):4759.
Traube,Elizabeth.DreamingIdentities:Class,Gender,andGenerationin1980sHollywoodMovies.Boulder,SanFrancisco:Westview,1992.

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TWELVE
OnceTheyWereMen,
NowTheyreLandCrabs:
MonstrousBecomingsin
EvolutionistCinema
EricWhite
AdefiningcharacteristicofmanyofthemonstersofClassicallegendistheircompositenature.Satyrs,gryphons,hydras,thesphinx,aretraditionallyclassifiedas
monstrousbecausetheirbodiesmockthenotionoforganicunityintheirarbitraryjuxtapositionofanatomicalfeaturesdrawnfromheterogeneouslifeforms.
Monstersareliminalentitiesthattransgresstheontologicalcategoriesanddistinctionsuponwhichtheconstructionofacomprehensiveandlastingrepresentationof
realitydepends.Notsurprisingly,encounterswithsuchcreaturestypicallyevokefeelingsoffearandloathing.Butmonstersmayalsoproduceastonishmentand
wonderintheirbeholder.TheAncientsinfactofteninterpretedthebizarresingularityofmonstrosityasaportentfrombeyond.Emissariesfromworldsotherthanthis
one,fromfuturesinwhichtheseeminginevitabilityofthepresentshapeofthingshasbeenrescindedinfavorofanindeterminatelyimmenserangeoffantastic
possibilities,monsterscanequallywellinspirethatvertiginoussensationofelationtheSurrealiststermedtheMarvellous.
Inthischapter,Imgoingtoexaminefourexemplaryfilmnarrativesinwhichthehumanbodylosesitsspecificityashumanandbecomesitselfmonstrouslyother.
Withreferencetotheevolutionarytheorythatinlargemeasureinspiredallfourfilms,Iintendtoarguethatsuchmonstrousbecomingscanbeunderstoodtofigurean
evolutionistperspectiveonthehumanbodyasanassemblageofnonhumanparts.Thatis,evolutionistcinemarendersthebodymonstrousby,sotospeak,re
animatinghithertolatentaspectsofhumannature,thegenealogicallypriorformsofnonhumanlifethatconstitutewhatIdliketocallthemenageriewithin.But

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themonstrousbecomingsofevolutionistcinemathematizenotonlythisimportantifattimesdisturbingtruthnamely,thathumannatureisnotexceptasamonstrous
amalgamofthenonhuman.Inthesefilms,theprospectofbecomingevenmoremonstrousthanthepresenthumanformisultimatelyaffirmed,eitheropenlyor
implicitly,asadestinydevoutlytobewished.Toputitmoregenerally,ifthesefilmscouldeverbesaidtocreditthenotionofaprovidentialdesigninscribedinthe
naturalworld,thatdesignwouldresidepreciselyinnaturescapacitytoproducemonstrosity.
BecomingCrustacean:AttackoftheCrabMonsters.
DirectedbyRogerCorman.ScreenplaybyCharlesB.Griffith.
USA:LosAltosProductions/AlliedArtists,1957.
MarthaHunter,marinebiologist:Well,doctor?
Dr.KarlWeigand,nuclearphysicist:Thisisridiculous.Themolecularstructureofthecrabisentirelydisrupted.Thereisnocohesionamongthe
atoms.
HankChapman,technician:Idontunderstand.
Weigand:NeitherdoI.Apparentlywehaveoneofthosebiologicalfreaksresultingfromanoverdoseofradiationpoisoning.Thewaytoexplain
itislookelectricity.Thefreeelectroninthecopperatombreaksofftocirclethenextatom,takingthechargealongthewire.Doyoufollowme,
Hank?
Chapman:Ithinkso.Thefreeelectronsjumpfromatomtoatomalongthecopperatthespeedoflight.Irememberthatfromhighschool.
Weigand:Yes.Atomtoatom.Well,somethinglikethathashappenedtoourcrab.Butinsteadoffreeelectronsthecrabhasfreeatomsall
disconnected.Itslikeamassofliquidwithapermanentshape.Anymatterthereforethatthecrabeatswillbeassimilatedinitsbodyofsolidenergy,
becomingpartofthecrab.Hunter:Likethebodiesofthedeadmen?
Weigand:Yes.Andtheirbraintissue,whichafterallisnothingmorethanastoragehouseforelectricalimpulses.
DaleDrewer,terrestrialbiologist:Thatmeansthatthecrabcaneathisvictimsbrainabsorbinghismindintactandworking.
Weigand:Itsasgoodatheoryasanyothertoexplainwhatshappened.
Hunter:ButDoctor,thattheorydoesntexplainwhyJulesandCarsonsmindshaveturnedagainstus.
Drewer:Preservationofthespecies.Oncetheyweremen,nowtheyrelandcrabs.

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Perhapsthemostmemorableofthemanygiantbugfilmsofthe1950s,RogerCormansAttackoftheCrabMonstersisdistinctivenotonlyforCormans
trademarktackinessandAbsurdistpanachebutfortheremarkablyknowingmannerinwhichthefilmplaysevolutionismoffagainsttraditionalmyth.Atthebeginning
ofthefilm,amessagescrollsacrossthescreenadvisingtheviewerthatyouareabouttolandinalonelyzoneofterrorwhereinaboundfrighteningrumorsabout
happeningswayoutbeyondthelawsofnature....Thesehappenings,unprecedentedandunforeseeneventsthatcannotbeaccountedforaccordingtotheknown
orderofthenaturalworld,areinitiallypresentedinthefilmasasortofdivinepunishment.Thefilmopenswithfootageofnumeroushydrogenbombexplosionsinthe
Pacificfollowedbyscenesofimmensetidalwavesinundatingseasidecommunities.Anunidentifiedvoiceisthenheardthatseemstoemanatefromthecloudsasit
recitesthepassageinGenesisannouncingtheFlood:AndtheLORDsaid,IwilldestroymanwhomIhavecreatedfromthefaceoftheearthbothman,andbeast,
andthecreepingthing,andthefowlsoftheairforitrepentethmethatIhavemadethem(Genesis6:7).ThewickednessofMan,asinstancedspecificallyinthe
fantasiesofapocalypticomnipotencethataccompaniedtheinventionofnuclearweapons,isthuspunishedbyaGodwhoreturnstheworldtoaconditionofprimordial
chaos,thetraditionalmythicemblemforwhichistheturbulentsea.
ThisrecurrenceofthefluxofinchoateformsthatobtainedatthebeginningoftimeentailsaswellanallusiontotheBiblicalstoryrecountingtheexpulsionfromthe
GardenofEden.TheFallofAdamandEveisupdatedinthiscase,however,asaFallnotmerelyintoamaterialworldofhardship,suffering,andmortality,butinto
thebiologicalchaosofanevolutionaryNature.Theturbulentfluidityoftheprimordialabyssfindsitsearthlyavatar,inotherwords,inthephenomenonofbiological
evolution.Humanityisnowcompelledtoinhabitaworldinwhichthecontinuingemergenceofunforeseen,hithertounimaginable,andthereforemonstrouslifeforms
disruptseveryattempttoimposeasatisfyinglyhumandirectiononthecourseofevents.Henceforth,realitywilltranspireasasuccessionofaccidentsand
unpredictablehappenings,thealeatorybecomingofarelentlesslyshapeshiftingbiosphere.
ThechiefrepresentativesofevolutionarychaosinAttackoftheCrabMonstersarecommonlandcrabsthathavegrowntohousesizegiantsasaresultoftheir
exposuretointenselyradioactivenuclearfallout.Thestoryunfoldsasalifeanddeathstrugglebetweentheseevolutionarymonstrositiesandtheteamofresearch
scientistssenttoinvestigatetheeffectsofradiationontheSouthPacificislandthatisthecrabsnativehabitat.AstheteamleaderDr.Weigandredundantlyputsit,the
crabsare

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biologicalfreaksresultingfromanoverdoseofradiationpoisoning.Buttheirmonstrosityresidesnotmerelyintheirgreatsize.WhenWeiganddissectsthesevered
clawofoneofthecrabmonstershediscoversthatthecrabsinternalconstitutionisradicallymutant:Themolecularstructureofthecrabisentirelydisrupted.Thereis
nocohesionamongtheatoms....Thecrabhasfreeatomsalldisconnected.Itslikeamassofliquidwithapermanentshape.Whilethecrabsouterformmay
enablethescientiststonamethecrabbyconsultingataxonomictableofanimalspecies,internallyithasnofixednature.Thecrabmonsteris,rather,alivingincarnation
ofchaositself.
Crabsareappropriatelycastasembodimentsofchaos.InherwellknowndiscussionofTheAbominationsofLeviticus,MaryDouglasobservesthatthedietary
rulessetforthinLeviticusgenerallyrelyonthefollowingcriteriontodeterminewhetheragivenanimalcanbejudgedcleanandthusfittoeat:theanimalmustcome
equippedfortherightkindoflocomotioninitselement.Crabsareconsequentlyforbiddenasunclean.Thoughtheelementpropertocrustaceansisthesea,crabs
possesslegsthatenablethemtowalkontheland.Inhabitingthemarginbetweenlandandsea,withcharacteristicsofbothterrestrialandmarineanimals,crabsarein
facttrulyabominablecreatures,unholy,polluted,andmonstrous.Intheirundecidability,theyconfoundthegeneralschemeoftheworld(Douglas,1969:55).
Crabsservenotice,inotherwords,thatthehumanspeciesinhabitsnotarationalcosmoswhosestructurehasbeenfixedforalltimebutanevolvingmultiplicitythat
willalwaysbecomeotherthanthepresentclassificatorygrid.
ThegiantlandcrabsofAttackoftheCrabMonstershaveastheirexpressmissionthedestructionoftheSouthPacificislandthatisthesettingforthestory.They
intend,thatis,tomakemakewarontheworldofmenbydrowningthehumanlyintelligibleuniverseintheturbulentfluxofachaoticpluriverse.AttackoftheCrab
Monstersthusstagesamythiccombatbetweenorderandchaosthatinfacttranspiresonanumberoflevels.Firstofall,theselfidenticalrationalegoofEnlightenment
thoughtfindsitselfthreatenedbyavoraciouslyappetitiveid.Accordingtothisview,thecrabsarepreciselyidmonsterswhosehardchitinousexteriorjustbarely
managestocontainasurginginternalfloodofanarchicdrivesandinstincts.Asthecrabsdevourthevariousmembersoftheresearchteamoneafteranother,the
survivorsarehorrifiedtodiscoverthatthepersonalitiesoftheirformercompanionshavenotbeenextinguishedbutmysteriouslyliveoninsidethecrabs.Beforeheis
himselfwelcomedbyhisnowcrustaceancolleaguesintothegreatcommonstomachofoneofthecrabs,Weigandmakesthepointthatbecausethecrabheis
examininghasfreeatomsalldisconnected....Anymatter...thatthecrabeatswillbe

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assimilatedinitsbodyofsolidenergy,includinghumanbraintissue,whichafterallisnothingmorethanastoragehouseforelectricalimpulses.Thismeans,Drewer
concludes,thatacrabcaneatitsvictimsbrainabsorbinghismindintactandworking.Thecrabsthendeploytheseformerlyautonomousandfreewillingselvesas
lureswithwhichtoobtainfurtherprey.WhenoneofthecrabsvictimssummonsasleepingMarthaHunterMartha,MarthaHunter,awakeMartha,awake,itis
McLaine.Helpmeitsuseofthethirdpersonpronounistelling:Hunterhearsnoauthentichumanvoicebutthecallofaselfthatismerelyaninstrumentorruseby
meansofwhichamonstrousidpursuesitsownagenda.Thesurvivingmembersoftheresearchteamarethusforcedtoconcedetheirevolutionarykinshipwithother
formsoflife.Manloseshisontologicalprivilegewhenitturnsoutthattheputativelyrationalhumanmindoperatesasmuchintheserviceofunconsciousbiological
instincts(likepreservationofthespecies)asanyothercreature.
Inthecourseofmakingwarontheworldofmen,thecrabsnotonlydissolvetheputativelyontologicaldistinctionsbetweenmindandbody,humanandanimal.As
mightbeexpected(giventhetimehonoredassociationofthefemininewithchaos,materiality,theunconscious,andthebody),thecrabsalsothreatenthe
intelligibilityofgender.Itturnsoutthatbecomingcrustacean,atleastformostofthecrabsvictimsinthefilm,entailsaswellbecomingfemalewhentheyarecaptured
andeatenbyafemalecrabwhoaddstheirformerlyautonomous,rational,malemindstohereverexpandingrepertoireofselves.Thecrabsareasindifferentto
thegenderoftheirvictimsastheyareunperturbedtofind,afterhavingfeastedonnumeroushumanbodies,thattheywillhenceforthbecreaturesendowedwith
multiplepersonalitiesinsteadofaunitaryself.
Butgiantfemaleidmonsterswhodeploymaleegosasstratagemswithwhichtosecurefurthervictimsisnottheonlyformfemaletroubletakesinthefilm.Theone
femalememberoftheresearchteamisMarthaHunter.Significantly,sheisamarinebiologistandthusdoublyassociatedalready,bygenderandprofessional
specialization,withtheforcesofchaos.Asthestoryunfolds,hercommitmenttoherfiancDaleDrewerbeginstowaver.ItseemsthatDrewerhassublimatedso
muchofhisdesiringenergyintohisdoctoralresearchthatheisnowbereftofdirectlysexualdesire.Thusfrustrated,HunterfindsherselfdrawntoHankChapman,a
technicianwithonlyahighschooleducationwhoconsequentlyliveslessinhismindandmoreinhisbody.AssheandChapmanprepareatrapforoneofthecrabsin
acave,shehintsatherinterestinhimwiththisartfulopener:Lonesomeinhere....YouknowIbetyoucouldevenbelonesomeinacrowd.Unless,ofcourse,
youvefoundthatspecialsomeone.

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ButbeforeHankhasachancetorespondinkind,theyareinterruptedbytheloudsnoringofthesleepingcrab,whichshortlythereafterawakensandpreventsthe
courtshipfromproceedingfurther.
HunterandChapmanneverdosucceedinconsummatingtheirattractionforoneanother.Attheendofthefilm,withtheislandnowreducedbythecrabstoasmall
rockoutcroppinguponwhichonlyaradiotowerisleftstanding,thethreesurvivingmembersoftheresearchteamMartha,Dale,andHankhaveaclimactic
confrontationwithwhattheyhopeisthelonesurvivingcrab.Whenthecrabattacks,Hankclimbstheradiotowerandbringsitcrashingdownontopofthecrab,
electrocutingboththecrabandhimselfintheprocess.DaleandMarthathenembraceasDalesayshegavehislifeandMarthabreathlesslyresponds,Iknow.
MarthasvagrantfemaledesireisthusredeemedbyHanksheroicselfsacrifice.Henceforth,herdesirewillassumeaproperlyspiritualcharacterbyfindingitsobject
inDaleDrewer,thehighlysublimatedmanofscience.
Ofcourse,AttackoftheCrabMonstersinnowayasksitsaudiencetotakethisconcludingsceneseriously.Theendingofthefilmcomesacrossasanextravagantly
parodicreplayoftraditionalmythsofredemptionfromsinfulness.TheAbsurdistsmirkthefilmwearsthroughoutcaninfactbesaidtoaffirmapreciselycontrarypoint
ofview.Thatistosay,AttackoftheCrabMonstersendorsesnottoocovertlytheprospectofbecomingcrustacean.Priortotheirbeingdevoured,bothDevereaux,
theteambotanist,andCarson,thegeologist,havesufferedseriousaccidents.DevereauxshandhasbeenamputatedbyafallingrockandCarsonhasbrokenaleg.
Itsnotatallfarfetched,Ithink,tointerprettheseinjuriesassymboliccastrations,castrationssuggestiveoftherepressionofdesirethatistheprerequisitefor
successfulsublimationaccordingtotheclassicFreudianformulation.ThissymboliccastrationnolongerobtainsonceDevereauxhasbecomecrustacean.Speakingto
theothermembersoftheresearchexpedition,Julesthecrabpositivelyexultsinhisnewmodeofexistence:Somethingremarkablehashappenedtome.Iwantallof
youtocomeandseeforyourselves....WhenDrewerrespondswithaqueryaboutCarson,Carsonspersona,whichisnowdomiciledinthesamecrab,answers:
Imheretoo.Mylegnolongertroublesme.Itsalmostexhilarating.Almostexhilaratingindeed:becomingcrustaceanliftsthecensorshipofthebodyhabitually
imposedbytherepressivesuperegoofthecivilizedsubject.Thoughitispossibletoamputateacrabclaw,thelossisneverpermanent,asonecrabsmuglyasserts:
Soyouhavewoundedme,andImustgrowanewclaw,wellandgood,forIcandoitinaday.Phoenixlike,thebodysdesiringenergycontinuallyrenewsitself:
crabmonstersreallydohavemorefun.

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BecomingInsect:FiveMillionYearstoEarth.
DirectedbyRoyWardBaker.ScreenplaybyNigelKneale.
UK:Hammer/WarnerBrothers,1967.
Yourealizewhatyoureimplying:thatweoweourhumanconditionhere
totheinterventionofinsects?...Sothatsyourgreattheory!

TherecognitionofhumanitysevolutionarykinshipwithotherlifeformsreceivesafardifferenttreatmentinFiveMillionYearstoEarth,undoubtedlythefinestoffour
filmsthatBritishscreenwriterNigelKnealewrotefeaturinghisscientistheroBernardQuatermass.Insteadofsuggestingthatbecominganimalamountstoan
emancipationfromtherepressiveconstraintsofcivilization,inthisfilmevolutionarykinshipwithlowerformsoflifeistheoccasionforGothichorror.Thediscoveryin
thecourseofthefilmofhumanrelatednesstootherorganismsentailsaprofoundlydisquietingconsequence.Highintelligence,atraitoftenregardedasproofofhuman
exceptionality,isshowntobeintertwinedwithandfrequentlyintheserviceofaquiteprimitivepropensityforaggression,hierarchy,andxenophobia.
FiveMillionYearstoEarthisinfactpreoccupiednotonlywiththeevolutionaryhistoryofhumannaturebutseeksaswelltoascertaintheoriginofevil.This
concernissignaledearlyoninthesceneinwhichtheaudienceisfirstintroducedtoQuatermass,whoheadsupBritainscivilianspaceagency.Quatermassisnow
informedbyagovernmentofficialthatthecivilianspaceprogramisabouttobetakenoverbythemilitary.AsQuatermasslistensindisgust,themilitaryofficerwhowill
soonbehissuperiorgiveshimalectureongeopolitics:thepresentworldsituationmakes[it]quiteclearthatwhoeverplants[basesonthemoon]firstwillbeableto
policetheearthwithballisticmissiles.Fromhere,thefilmsetsitselfthetaskoftracingthegenealogyofthismilitaristimpulse.
ThestorytoldinFiveMillionYearsonEarthgoessomethinglikethis:thefilmopensataLondonUndergroundstationwhereworkmenaretunnelinganextensionof
anexistingline.Heretheydiscovertheremainsofsomeearlyhominids,apemen,amomentousfindthatsoondrawstheattentionofapaleontologistnamedRonay
whoseteambeginstoexcavatethesite.Thefossilsshow,Ronayexplainstothepress,thatcreaturesessentiallyresemblingmankindwalkedthisearthaslongagoas
fivemillionyears.Thefossilsaretypicalofhominidsoftheperiodexceptthattheirbraincasesareunusuallylargeforsuchanearlydate.Asexcavationcontinues,the
teamdiscoversnotonlymorefossilsofearlyhominidsbut

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whatatfirstappearstobeamoderntechnologicalartifact,perhapssomesortofunexplodedbomborVweaponfromthewar.Anarmydemolitionsteambroughtin
todefusethedeviceisunabletoidentifyit,butastheyremovetheclayinwhichitliesembeddedtheycomeuponmorehominidfossils,includingonethatisinsidethe
object.Ronayisstruckbytheinevitableimplication:Goodheavens,thatsnobomb!Whateverisit?Thisis,ofcourse,arhetoricalquestion,asbothheandthe
viewerrealizethattheobjectwhichhasanoddinsectlikeappearance,likethecarapaceofabeetlemustinfactbeaspacecraft,aspacecraftinwhichtheapemen
hadapparentlybeenpassengerswhenitcrashedfivemillionyearsagoatatimewhentheThamesvalleywasstillaprimordialswamp.
Furtherinvestigationofthespaceshiprevealsasealedoffcompartmentthatmysteriouslyopensbyitselftorevealthebodiesoftheshipscrew.Ronay,Quatermass
andeveryoneelseonhandarefrightenedandnauseatedastheyareconfrontedwiththenowrapidlydecomposingbodiesofwhatappeartobegiant,threetofour
foothighlocustsorgrasshoppers.AsQuatermassreadsthepaleontologicalteamstestresultsweightandstructurepointtolowgravityenvironment.Athin
atmosphereRonayspeculatesonthegiantgrasshopperslikelyplaceoforigin:Perhapsaworldthatsdeadnow,butafewmillionyearsagocouldhavebeen
teemingwithlife.Quatermasscatchesthehint:Iwonder,aworldthatsbeennearlywornoutbeforeanythingturneduptoclaimit.WasthisreallyaMartian?
QuatermassthenreportstotheMinisterofDefensethatthesearthropodsarenotofthisearthandspeculatesthattheMartians,realizingboththattheirownplanet
wasdyingandthattheycouldnotthemselvesadapttothedenseratmosphereandgreatergravityoftheEarthattemptedasortofproxycolonizationbyexperimenting
ontheearlyhominids.Theapemenwerealteredbyselectivebreeding,atomicsurgery,methodswecannotguess.Andreturnedwithnewfacultiesinstilledinthem,
highintelligence,...perhapssomethingelse.RonaysassistantBarbaraJuddsumsupthemattersuccinctly:asfarasanybodyis,weretheMartiansnow.The
MinisterofDefense,likemostofthehighgovernmentofficialsandmilitaryfiguresinthefilm,isnotamusedandcontemptuouslydismissesQuatermass:Yourealize
whatyoureimplying,thatweoweourhumanconditionheretotheinterventionofinsects!...Sothatsyourgreattheory!
ButQuatermassshypothesisregardingthemonstrouslycompositecharacterofthehumanformpartsimian,partinsectishardlycontroversialfromthestandpoint
ofcontemporaryevolutionarytheory.Evolutionistsrepeatedlyinsistthatevolutionisaconservationist.Lynn

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MargulisandDorionSaganmakejustthispoint:Itisvirtuallyanevolutionaryprinciplethatnobodypartorchemistryoncecrucialtoanancestoriseverlostwithouta
trace,althoughsuchfeaturescanberadicallyaltered.Lifeisextraordinarilyconservativeorganismsembodytheirownhistories.Evolutionarybiologythusdescribes
thehumanbodyasemergingfromasuccessionofinstancesofbiologicalimprovisationorbricolage.Thebodyisnotaperfectlyresolvedunityendowedwithaunique
andeverlastingessencebutanevolutionarymakeshift,ahistoricallycontingentcontrivancewhosegenealogicalaffiliationwitheveryotherkindoforganismismanifest
throughout.Thehumanbody,MargulisandSagansay,isafleshypastiche...ofthousandsofancestrallives(1991:134,14).Theheterogeneousformsoflifethat
haveevolvedoverthepastroughly3.5billionyearshavearisenlessoftenfromunprecedentedinnovationthanfromtherearrangementandamplificationofacommon
storeofpossibilities.Inthatsense,thepresenthumanformisnotanentitysetapartfromandagainstotherformsoflifebutaprovisionalconfigurationofelementsthat
appearubiquitouslyindifferentcombinationsandwithdifferentemphasesintheotherspeciesthatpopulatetheplanet.
LewisThomasarguesalongsimilarlines:agoodcasecanbemadeforournonexistenceasentities.Wearenotmadeup,aswehadalwayssupposed,of
successivelyenrichedpacketsofourownparts.Instead,thebodyisbetterunderstoodasacolonyofsymbioticallycohabitingelementsbeginningatthelevelofthe
cellitself.Theeukaryotic(ornucleated)cellthebodys,asitwere,elementarybuildingblockisitselfnotevenaunity.Itsmitochondriaturnouttobelittle
separatecreatures,thecolonialposterityofmigrantprokaryocytes,probablyprimitivebacteriathatswamintoancestralprecursorsofoureukaryoticcellsandstayed
there.Eversince,theyhavemaintainedthemselvesandtheirways...withtheirownDNAandRNAquitedifferentfromours.Thiscompositecharacterofthe
eukaryoticcellisreplicated,moreover,ateveryhigherleveloforganization:Ithasbeenproposedthatsymbioticlinkagesbetweenprokaryoticcellsweretheoriginof
eukaryotes,andthatfusionbetweendifferentsortsofeukaryotes(e.g.,motile,ciliatedcellsjoinedtophagocyticones)ledtotheconstructionofthecommunitiesthat
eventuallyturnedouttobemetazoancreatures.Thehumanbody,Thomasgoesontosay,isquiteliterally,then,anevolutionaryassemblage(1974:2,8,145).
ThedepictioninFiveMillionYearstoEarthofthecompositecharacterofthebodyasanassemblageorpasticheofpriorlifeformsisinflectedaccordingtothe
conventionsofGothicfiction.Humanitysarthropodheritageisnotmerelyhorrifyingitis,infact,preciselysatanic.Nearthebeginningofthefilm,Ronaysassistant
BarbaraJuddpointsoutto

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QuatermassthatthenameofthestreetonwhichthetubestationislocatedHobbsLanewasformerlyHobsLaneHob,shesays,isanancientnameforthe
devil.Juddresearchesthehistoryofthesiteanddiscoversthatasrecentlyasthe1920sandasfarbackasRomantimes,HobbsLanehasbeenassociatedwith
strangeandinfernalhappenings,includingtheapparitionofhideoushumanoidfiguresresemblingthefivemillionyearoldhominidswhosefossilslitterthesite.
ThoughQuatermassisinclinedtodoubtthesupernaturalNo,mydear,werebothscientists.Wesimplycantpayregardtostufflikethisheiseventually
compelledtoadmitthatthemanystoriesofsupernaturalphenomenaassociatedwithHobbsLanemusthaveabasisinfact:Isupposeitspossibleforghosts,lets
usetheword,tobephenomenathatwerebadlyobservedandwronglyexplained.WhenQuatermassentersthenowfullyexcavatedcraft,hefindsinscribedonthe
compartmenthousingthedeadMartians,apentacle,oneoftheCabalisticsignsusedinancientmagic.Moreover,Martianlikeformsrecurinhumanculturefrom
Paleolithiccaveartofshamanswearingantleredheaddressestomedievalgargoylesandthehornedgodofsatanicritual,allofwhich,Quatermasssupposes,are
evidenceofsomeunconsciousracememory.
ButthetrulysatanicnatureoftheprehistoricMartiangrasshoppersisnotrevealeduntilaworkmansomehowprovokestheshipintoaction.Asobjectshang
telekineticallysuspendedintheairtotheaccompanimentofhypnoticpulsingsounds,theworkmanisquiteobviouslypossessedandbeginstorunthroughthestreetsof
Londoninapeculiarspasmodicmannerratherlikeamarionetteonstrings.Eventually,hefindssanctuaryatachurch.WhenJuddandQuatermassarrivetoquestion
him,hegivesthefollowingaccountofhisexperience:Ihadtorun,togetaway.Theywerecoming.Irememberitstarted,andthenIcouldonlyseethem,likeyou
founddownthere,witheyesandhorns.Theywerealive,jumping,likeveryfast,andhundredsandhundreds.IknewIwasone.Jumping,leaping,ohhuge,rightup
intothesky.Thesky?Quatermassasks,whatcolorisit,blue?No,itseems,theskywasbrown,dark,darkpurple.Themeaningofthisstrangereportisnot
longincoming:Whatsbeenuncovered,Quatermasssays,isevil,asancientanddiabolicasanythingonrecord.Ithinkwhathegaveusjustnowwasavisionoflife
onMarsfivemillionago.TheworkmanhadevidentlybeentransportedtothesurfaceofprehistoricMarswhere,tohishorror,hefoundthathewashimselfa
Martian:themanhadbecomeinsect.
Inordertoconfirmtheworkmansunnervingstory,QuatermassandRonayputtogetheradevicethatwillenablethevideorecordingofmentalexperience.They
returntothepitwheretheyhopetodocumentthespacecrafts

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abilitytocausethoseinproximitytoittobecomeinsect.NeitherRonaynorQuatermassproveidealexperimentalsubjects,butJudd,inkeepingwiththetraditionthat
linksunconsciousmentalprocesseswiththefemalegender,provesespeciallysensitivetotheMartianspacecraftstelepathicemanations.Icansee,Icansee,she
cries,asmingledexpressionsoffearfulexcitementandecstasyplayacrossherface.AfterstudyingthevideotapeofJuddsvisionsofjumpingandleaping
grasshoppers,QuatermassconcludesthatthescenesshehadwitnessedoflocustspursuingoneanotherontheplainsofMarssuggestaracepurge,acleansingofthe
Martianhives....Ithinkwemayhavewitnessedritualslaughtertopreserveafixedsociety,toriditofmutations....Thatsthewaytheylived.Anditsthewaythey
intendedtheirsubstitutesonEarthtolive.Humanaggressivity,xenophobia,andthepropensityforsocialhierarchyarethusthatsomethingelsetheMartians
implantedintheirhominidcaptivesalongwithhighintelligence.
Quatermasssassessmentisdecisivelyconfirmedwhentheship,whichisnotmechanicalbutanorganismitselfandthereforealivingembodimentofevolution
understoodasaninfernalpower,telepathicallyreachesoutandprovokesaracepurgeamongtheinhabitantsofcontemporaryLondon.Theintendedvictimsareall
thosewhohaveevolvedawayfromtheirinsectheritageinthedirection,ironically,ofhumanitysidealimageofManasarationalbeing.Theshipharnessespsychic
energy,projectingitintotheskyoverLondonintheformofaglowingapparitionofthehornedgodwhonowpresidesoverthepandemoniumbelow.NeitherJudd,
whoisespeciallysusceptibletothemurderousimpulsesofherMartianheritage,norQuatermass,whoturnsouttobehalfman,halfbeast,canavoidsuccumbing.Judd
gazesinworshipfulecstasyatthehornedgod,whileQuatermasssedateshimselfwithscotchandchantshisnameandsocialpositionlikeaprotectivecharmMy
nameisBernardQuatermass,professorofphysics,controllerofBritishExperimentalCorp.,atpresentengagedin....OnlyRonay,whoqualifiesasafully
humanmutationbecauseheisdevoidofaffect,apurelyintellectualbeing,candefeatthemonstrousfigureshimmeringintheskyoverLondon.Inascenereminiscent
oftheconclusiontoAttackoftheCrabMonsters,Ronayclimbsanearbyconstructioncraneandridesitintotheglaringfaceofthedemon,groundingitsenergyto
theearthinafireballexplosion.Themosthumanofallhumansthussacrificeshimselfinorderthathisflawedfellowbeingsmighthenceforthlivefreefromsubjectionto
theirunconsciousinsectselves.Intheclosingshot,QuatermassandJudd,positionedoneitherextremeofthescreenandseparatedbythecredits,standmute,in
shock,unwillingorunabletomakeeyecontactwithoneanotheras

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eachreflectsinsolitudeuponthistraumaticrevelationofthedemonicelementinhumannature.
BecomingRodent:MyUncleinAmerica.
DirectedbyAlainResnais.ScreenplaybyJeanGruault.
BasedontheworksofHenriLaborit.France:
PhilippeDussart/AndreaFilms,1980.
Seekingtodominateinaspacewecancalltheterritoryisthefundamental
basisofallhumanbehavior,thoughwearenotconsciousofourmotives.

ThesoberingpresentationinFiveMillionYearstoEarthofthepresenceofahorrifyinglyprimitivecomponentinhumannatureisgivenamorestraightforward
scientificexpositioninAlainResnaissMyUncleinAmerica.Inthisfilm,thelifestoriesofthreecharactersbecometheobjectforscientificreflectionconcerningthe
biologicalbasisofculturalbehavior.Thecharactersbiographiesarerecounted,first,inbriefdossierfashionsoastoconferonthemthequalityofscientificspecimens
orexhibits,andthen,moreleisurely,inaconventionallyrealisticnarrativestyle.Periodicallythroughoutthefilm,scientistandphilosopheHenriLaboritappearsto
deliverbriefexplanationsoftheevolutionarysignificanceofeventsastheyunfoldinthelivesofthethreecharacters.
Theyare,firstofall,JeanLeGall,scionofaprovincialbourgeoisfamily,whomovesasayoungmantoParishopingtobecomeafamousintellectual.Whenwepick
uphisstoryinthefilm,hehasbecomeahighexecutivewiththeNationalRadio.Heisdischargedonlyeighteenmonthslater,however,andintheaftermathofhisfiring
writesacontroversialexposofpoliticalinfightingathisformerworkplace.Foregoinghisintellectualambitions,henowbecomesapoliticianand,attheendofthefilm,
isrunningforelectiveoffice.
Duringtheeighteenmonthsofhistenureattheradio,heleaveshiswifeArletteandentersintoarelationshipwithJanineGarnier,ayoungwomanwhoselifestoryis
alsorelatedinthefilm.Garniercomesfromapoliticallymilitantworkingclassbackground.Revoltingagainstwhatsheregardsastheclaustrophobicmoralismofher
family,sheaspirestothelifeofabohemianartistandjoinsanactingtroupe.ShemeetsJeanfollowingherstarringperformanceinasuccessfulLeftBanktheatrical
production.ButtheaffairwithJeancomestoanunhappy,confused,andprematureendwhenJeanswifeArletteappearsbeforeJanineonedayandpretendsthatshe
hascontractedafataldisease.FilledwithcompassionforArlettebutalso,perhaps,abitfedupwithJeanwhosepsychosomaticailmentshave

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madehimsomethingofanuisance,JanineprecipitatesabreakupinordertodriveJeanbacktohiswifewhomaythenspendherfewremainingmonthswiththefather
ofherchildren.Ataboutthesametime,Janinechangescareers,becomingarisingexecutivewithaninternationalconglomeratethatspecializesinthetextiletrade.
Thisassociationbringsherintocontactwiththethirdprincipalcharacterofthefilm,RenRagueneau.AnapoliticalanddevoutlyRomanCatholicfarmersson,Ren
throwsoffhisfatherstraditionalismbyleavingthefarmandbecominganaccountantwithasmalltextilefirmwhereheiseventuallypromotedtotherankofplant
manager.WhentheinternationalconglomerateforwhichJanineworksacquiresRensfirm,hispromotionscontinue.Unfortunately,theconglomerateelevateshim
beyondthelevelofhiscompetenceandheisabouttobedemotedbyJaninetothepositionofmanagerofagourmetkitchenwaresstorewhenheattemptssuicide.
ThefilmendswithRen,whohassurvivedhissuicideattempt,facingdismissalfromhisjobonthegroundsofmentalinstability,andJanine,havingdiscovered
Arlettesduplicity,indespairoverhercontinuingloveforthesupremelyadaptableJeanwhohassettledoncemoreintomaritalcontentmentwithArlette
notwithstandinghisawarenessofhersubterfuge.
Twoobservationsareworthmakingabouttheseratherunexceptionalthoughfrequentlypoignantlifestories.First,eachofthethreefigures,inscenesinwhichthey
evidentlyfeeloppressedbytherunofevents,recitesthephrasemyuncleinAmerica.ThephrasealludestotheproverbialunclewhohasgoneofftotheUnited
Stateswherehehasbecomefabulouslywealthy,thefamiliarfantasyofAmerica,thatis,asalandofplentywhoseillusorycharacterisunderscoredbythescenesof
urbandevastationintheSouthBronxwithwhichthefilmcloses.MyuncleinAmericaexpressesadesiretobedonewithstruggleandconflict,todwellinpeaceand
securitywitheverywantabundantlysuppliedadesire,finally,toriseabovetheworldtoapositionofinvulnerabilityandperfectfulfillment:inthewordsofanold
TalkingHeadssong,Heavenisaplacewherenothingeverhappens.Second,allthreecharacters,asadults,contradictthevaluesandprinciplesdeartothemin
theiryouth:Jean,thewouldbeintellectualremovedfromthechicaneryofpubliclife,windsupapoliticianwhoobsequiouslycurriesfavorwiththeestablishedpowers
Janine,thebohemianartist,isrisingquicklyinthebusinessworldandthehaplessRenhasmortallysinnedagainsthisfaithbyattemptingsuicide.Thethree
charactersconsciousvalues,firstprinciples,andideologicalcommitmentsarethusoflittlevalueinpredictingtheiractualconduct.
Theexplanationbothfortherecurrentfantasyofconsummatesatisfaction

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andfortheinconsistencyofcharacteraccordingtowhichJean,Janine,andReneachbetraytheirrespectiveidealselfimagesisimplicitlyconveyedinthecourseof
ProfessorLaboritsremarks.AccordingtoLaborit,themaintainingofaconditionofbiologicalequilibriumcanbesaidtoorientthevitalprocessesofeveryorganism,
nomatterwhetherplantoranimal.Abeingsonlyreasonforbeing,hesays,isbeing.Thatistosay,itmustmaintainitsstructure.Itmuststayalive.Otherwise,there
isnobeing.Unlikeplants,animalspursuethisendbymeansofanervoussystemthatpermitsactionupon,andwithin,theenvironment.Andalwaysforthesame
reason,toinsuresurvival.Further,inthecaseofanimalssufficientlycomplexfortheirnervoussystemtoculminateinthatcomplexandintricateneuralnetworkknown
asthebrain,itisthisorganthatisresponsibleforinitiatinganddirectingtheorganismsselfpreservativebehavior.Turningtothespecificcaseofthehumanbrain,
Laboritobservesthatthebrainpreservesitsownhistoryinitspresentconstitution.Thehumanbrain,thatis,isnotunitarybuttriuneinstructure,itsthreeparts
representingthreesuccessivemomentsofevolutionaryinnovation.
Itturnsoutthatoneportionofthebrainanarchaicstructurefiftymillionormoreyearsolderthanthosethatsitatopitisespeciallyconsequentialwithrespecttothe
humanorganismseffortstomaintainbiologicalequilibrium.LaboritborrowsherefromtheresearchofPaulMacLean,whohasdubbedthisstructuretheR
complexorreptilianbrain,andbluntlysumsupitssignificance:theRcomplexinsuresthatseekingtodominateinaspacewecancalltheterritoryisthe
fundamentalbasisofallhumanbehavior,thoughwearenotconsciousofourmotives.
Butifourdrivesarestillprimitive,comingfromthereptilianbrain,thesedrivesaremediatedincomplexwaysbytheculturalconditioningthatespeciallyaffects,
Laboritsays,thesecondlevelofthebraininMacLeansscheme.Thatis,thecharacteristicaffectiveorientationtowardtheworldthatdistinguishesonepersonality
fromanotherislargelytheresultofenvironmentalfactorswhichfromaveryearlyageshapeandcontourthelimbicsystemoraffectivebrain.Thelimbicsystem,
wedgedbetweentheRcomplexandthecerebralcortex(locusofcomplexcognitivefunctionsincludinglanguage),isfoundinhumansandallothermammalsbutis
largelyabsentinreptiles.Itdeals,RichardRestakremarks,withtheemotionalfeelingsthatguidebehavior.Whenportionsofthelimbicsystemareremoved,
mammalslosemanybehaviorsforinstance,playfulnessandnurturingthatarepreciselycharacteristicofthemammalianorder.Whateverbehaviorsremainareapt
toresemblethoseofreptiles(seeRestak1984:13637).Laboritdissentsslightlyfromthischaracterizationofthesecondlayerastheaffectivebrain,preferringto
call

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itthememorybrain:Withnomemoryofwhatispleasantorunpleasant,theresnoquestionofbeinghappy,sad,anguished,norofbeingangry,orinlove.We
couldalmostsaythatalivingcreatureisamemorythatacts.
MyUncleinAmericaprovidesmanyexamplesoftheculturalconditioningthatjustifiesthischaracterizationofhumanbeingsasmemoriesthatact:scenes,for
instance,ofchildrenbeingencouragedbyparentalfigurestointernalizethebricabracofvaluejudgments,prejudices,andplatitudestypicaloftheirrespectivesocial
milieus.Butthemoststriking(andamusing)instancesofimprintingarepresentedintheformofclipsfromoldblackandwhitefilmsthatappearatcrisismomentsin
thenarrative.Whattheclipsrevealaretheunconsciousegoidealsofeachcharacter.Internalizediconsofthesilverscreenprovidereferencepointsforthecharacters
astheyattempttonegotiatelifesvariouschallenges,stereotypicalstancestowardtheworldthatorient,guide,andsustaintheillusionofautonomousagency.
Thepointhereisthatdominanceandterritoryareemptytermsuntiltheyarefilledwithculturalcontents.Thereisnoproprietaryinstinct,Laboritexplains,Nor
isthereaninstincttodominate.Theindividualsnervoussystemhassimplylearnedthenecessityofkeepingfortheindividualsownuseanobjectorpersonthatisalso
desiredorcovetedbyanotherbeing.Andhehasalsolearnedbyexperiencethatinthecompetitiontokeepthatobjectorthatpersonforhimself,hemustdominate.
Laboritcanthussumupbysayingthatofthethreestructurescomprisingthehumanbrainthefirsttwofunctionunconsciously,beneathourlevelofawareness:drives,
culturalautomatisms.Thethirdfurnishesanexplanatorylanguagewhichgivesreasons,excuses,alibis,fortheunconsciousworkingsofthefirsttwo.AsinFreud,the
egoisnotthemasterinitsownhouse:humanbehaviorispropelledbyunconsciousdrivesandculturalautomatismsmaskedbyconsciousbeliefsthatonlyserveto
hidethecauseofdominance.
Asprooffortheseremarksabouthumannature,Laboritpresentsrepresentativeinstancesofflight,fight,andanguishbehaviorsasmanifestedinlaboratoryrats
thatarethencorrelatedwiththerespectivebehaviorsofJean,Janine,andRen.Thefirstexampleconcernsaratthatisplacedinacagewhosefloorisintermittently
electrified.Theratlearnsthatthesoundofabellannouncestheimminenceofanunpleasantelectricshockandaccordinglyfleesthroughadoorwaytotheothersideof
thecagewhichisnotelectrified.Whenthebellsoundsagain,thistimesignalingtheimminentelectrificationofitspresentlocation,theratreturnstoitsstartingplace.
Theratremainsinperfecthealth....Hehas

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maintainedhisbiologicalequilibrium.Similarly,whenJeanrealizesthathisriseintheintellectualhierarchyofParisiansocietyishinderedbyhisassociationwith
Arlette,whoisprovincialandpoorlyeducated,hefleesherforJanine.WhenheloseshispositionattheNationalRadioandJanineprovokesabreakup,heflees
Janine,returnstoArlette,andthereafterdecidestobecomeapolitician.Thoughhemayseemshalloworevenhypocritical,Jeansbehaviorisinfactperfectly
consistent:whenhecannotdominateoneterritory,hemovestoanotherwhenoneoftheculturalclichshehasinternalizedthesocialprestigethataccompanies
intellectualityyieldsnorewardinhisowncase,heshiftstoanotherthepowerthepoliticianmaywieldtoimprovetheworld.Andallthewhileinthebackofhis
mindhefantasizesabouthismythicaluncleinAmerica,whomheidentifieswiththeheroofacomicbookfromhisyouth:theGoldKing,SamuelKnight,orphanand
millionaire...inthetrueAmericanway....
Inthesecondexample,tworatsareplacedinacage,thefloorisintermittentlyelectrified,andtheescaperouteisclosedoff.Theratsrespondtothispredicamentby
fightingoneanotherwhentheflooriselectrified.Theirbehaviorinnowayaddressesthecauseoftheirdistress,butthesimplefactoftakingactionanervoussystem
ismeanttoactenablesthemtoremainhealthy,theirbloodpressurenormal,theircoatssleek.Similarly,attheendofthefilm,JanineconfrontsJeanandattackshim
whenitbecomesapparentthatshecannotwinhimback.Herbehaviordoesnothingtoalterthesituation,butitpreventsherfromsuccumbingtoanguish,orthe
despairthataccompaniestheimpossibilityofdominatingasituation.Finally,inthethirdexperiment,aratisplacedinacagewithneitherthepossibilityofescapenor
anadversaryagainstwhichtoventitsdistress.Theintermittentelectrificationhasdisastrousconsequences.Theratexhibitsanguishbehavior:itbecomesdepressed,
developsulcers,highbloodpressure,andsoon.InLaboritsterms,itaggressesitsownbody.Inlikefashion,psychosomaticailmentsandmentalillnessculminatingin
asuicideattemptafflictRenashiscareercomesunraveled.
Thisishardlyacomfortingorennoblingdepictionofthehumansituation.Yetthemoodofthefilm,muchofthetime,issurprisinglybuoyantandhighspirited.Asone
wayofexplainingthisdiscrepancy,considerthefollowing:afterthedossiersonthethreeprincipalcharactershavebeenpresentedatthebeginningofthefilm,afourth
dossierisadded,thisoneconcerningHenriLaborithimself,whosedossierchronicleshismanyscientificaccomplishmentsandprofessionalaccolades.This
presentationofLaboritsachievementsdoesnot,however,havetheeffectofcredentiallinghimasthevoiceoftruth.Rather,bypositioninghimasyetanother
character

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inthefilmsnarrative,thefilmremindsitsaudienceoftheculturalandhistoricalsituatednessofscientificdiscourse.AtthesametimethatittakesLaboritsviews
seriouslyasavaluablealbeitunflatteringperspective,thefilmunderscorestheirperspectivalcharacterwiththeconsequentimplicationthatsomethingelse,as
Quatermassmightputit,hasbeenleftoutofaccountinLaboritsrenderingofthehumansituation.
InthesequencespresentingLaboritsviewsonthebiologicalfoundationsofhumansociallifewithreferencetotheresponsesoflaboratoryratstorewardand
punishmentscenarios,theequationbetweenratbehaviorandhumanbehaviorisaugmentedbyreprisesofkeyscenesinthenarrativeinthecourseofwhich,the
secondtimethrough,theactorsthemselvesdonwhiteratcostumes.MiniaturesofsomeofthesetsarealsoshownJeanandArlettesParisapartment,for
instancepopulatedbyrealwhiterats.Theeffectoftheseliteralenactmentsofbecomingrodentalongwithotherscenesinwhichhumanconductisequatedwith
therespectivebehaviorsofcrabs,fish,tortoises,andwildpigsunderminestheairofgravityandsobrietyonemightexpectgiventheostensivemessageofthefilm.
Thoughthefilmisundoubtedlypoignantinpassages,itdoesnotfilltheviewerwithadisablingsensationofanguishatthisdeflationofhumandignity.Nor,Ithink,isthe
concludingmoodoneofsatisfactionathavingtranscended,andthusdominated,thehumansituationbyregardingitfromacommandingoverlookofomniscience.
Instead,aspiritofcarnivalesquefestivityprevails.Laboritsperspectiveonhumannaturehasbeennarrativizednotastragedybutasfarce.Inotherwords,the
spectacleofbecomingrodentintroducesintotheexperienceofviewingthefilmanelementofhilarityandevenexhilaration(toborrowAttackoftheCrab
Monstersfavoritetermforbecomingcrustacean)thatcantbeexplainedwithreferencetoLaboritsconstructionofhumannature.
ThereisasimilaruntheorizedcomponentinFiveMillionYearstoEarth.Inthiscase,thefilmostensivelyreflectsontheoriginsofviolenceandhierarchyin
humanityshorrificsubjectiontoevolutionaryprocess.ButtheintroductionoftheGothicmotifofsatanismcomplicatestheviewersresponsetothefilm.Thehorned
godis,ofcourse,notonlySatan,theembodimentofeverythingevil,butDionysusaswell,thegodoflibidinalexcess.Inotherwords,acoverteroticizationof
becominginsectaccompaniesthehorrorentailedinrealizinghumanparticipationinnatureredintoothandclaw.Asthisessaymovesnowtoconsideritsfinal
exampleofevolutionistcinema,Imgoingtofocuspreciselyonthisauraofmingledhilarity,exhilaration,anderoticexcitementthatsurroundstherespectivescenarios
ofbecomingcrustaceaninAttackoftheCrabMonsters,

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becominginsectinFiveMillionYearstoEarth,andbecomingrodentinMyUncleinAmerica.
BecomingFungus:AttackoftheMushroomPeople.
DirectedbyInoshiroHondaandEijiTsuburaya.
ScreenplaybyTakeshiKimura.Adaptedfrom
TheVoiceintheNight(1907)byWilliamHopeHodgson.
Japan:Toho,1963.
Yeah.Iatemushrooms.Nowyouknow.IreadinabookalongtimeagothattheMexicansusedtoeattheminordertoenhancetheirperceptionsandgetasenseof
wellbeing....Japaneselegendsmentionlaughingmushrooms,soImingoodcompany.Thepeoplewhowentouttogatherthemushroomsdancedinhighspiritsin
themountainsandwereintouchwiththeinfinite.But[these]Matango[mushrooms],accordingtoyourunderstanding,leaveapersonnolongerhuman.Well,thats
finewithme.
InoshiroHondaandEijiTsuburayasAttackoftheMushroomPeoplerelatestheadventuresofagroupofweekendvacationersonboardayachtwhoencountera
typhoonandareshipwreckedonanunchartedisland.Thefivemenandtwowomencompriseasocialcrosssection:askipperandhismate,bothintheemployofthe
wealthyentrepeneurwhoownstheyachtanightclubchanteusewhoistheentrepeneursmistressawriterofdetectivefictionapsychologyprofessorandhisingenue
graduatestudent.Atthebeginningofthevoyage,spiritsrunhighasYoshida,thewriter,proposesatoasttotheirtemporaryreprievefromthehustlebustleofsocial
life:theyarefree,hesays,fromalltheproblemsofMan.Butsuchareleasefromworldlycareisillusory,Meimi,thechanteuse,counterswhensheominouslyreplies
Arentwepartofhumanity?Inotherwords,thesocialillsandantagonismsYoshidahopestohaveescapedarenotsoeasilyeluded.Theyachtscomplementare
alreadyinconictalonganumberofaxes:themencondescendtothewomenandarethemselvesdividedagainstoneanotheraccordingtoclassposition,educational
attainment,andsoon,aswhentheskipperandhismate,aloneondeck,denouncetheirsocialsuperiorsasrecklesschildrenandparasites.Thefilmsseven
principalcharactersthusconstituteamicrocosmofthegreatworldtheyhaveleftbehindwhereLaboritshierarchiesofdominanceareamplyinstancedinflashbacks
thatpresent,forinstance,tycoonsinaTokyonightclubrevelingintheireminence.AsonetycoonboaststhatIhirepeopletothinkforme,thenIjustusetheir
thoughts,theothercomplacentlyreplies,thatsright,thatshowcivilizationprogresses,

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byborrowing,eachgenerationtakesanideaandimprovesonit.Meanwhile,theyenjoyaparadeoffemalebodiesofferedfortheirperusalinaFoliesBergresstyle
revue.
Theaggressivetensionsthathavealreadyspoiledtheholidayexcursionoftheyachtscrewandpassengersaretemporarilysetasideintheimmediateaftermathoftheir
shipwreckintheinterestofcollectivesurvival.Thesevensetouttogethertosearchforfoodandsooncomeuponamuchlargervessel,beachedandevidently
deserted.Theshipwhichthecastawayssoonoccupyasarefugefromthemonsoonlikeweatherturnsouttobearesearchvesselapparentlysenttotheislandto
investigatetheeffectsofradiationfromatomictestsonthelocalecosystem.Nowderelict,thevesselisinastateofconsiderabledisrepair:adisgusting,slimecovered
funguseverywherecoatsitsinterior.Astheyrummagethroughthecabinsinsearchoffood,thecastawaysopenalargespecimencrateinwhichtheyfindagiant
mushroomevidentlyaradiationinducedmutationthathasbeenlabeledMatango.Theskipperremarkshopefully:Wereinluckifthisthingisedible,butsuch
doesnotappeartobethecase.ThepsychologistMorrei,afterstudyingtheshipslogandassortedscientificdocuments,reportsthatnotonlyistheislandvirtually
barrenofedibleplantsandanimalsbuttheMatangomushroommustbeavoidedbecauseitdamagesnervetissue.
Thelittlesocietyofcastawayssoonrealizesthatthewarningtheshipspreviousoccupantshaveleftbehindthemconcerningthemushroomstoxiceffectsisinrealitya
euphemismforafarmoredisturbingconsequenceofingestingMatango.Themushroomhasmutagenicproperties:thosewhoeatMatangobecomefungusthemselves,
asthecastawaysdiscoveronedarknightwhentheycomefacetofacenotwithaghostbutwithastilllivingmemberoftheresearchvesselsformercrewwho,like
hisshipmates,wasmadesodesperatebystarvationthathedinedonMatangoandtherebylosthishumanity.Hisbody,thoughvaguelyhumanoidinoutline,iscovered
withfunguslikeprotuberancesandresemblesfarmorethemushroomshehasconsumedthanitdoesatrulyhumanform.
Butbecomingfungusmaynot,afterall,amounttotheproverbialfateworsethandeath,especiallywhencomparedwiththedissensionandeventuallyovertviolence
thatafflictthecastawaysastheygrowincreasinglydesperatefromstarvationthemselves.Howeverrepulsivetheprospectofamushroomlikeexistencemayatfirst
glanceseem,thefilmsuggeststhatthisdestinycaninfactbeunderstoodasequivalenttoamultiplicationandenhancementoflifespossibilities.Certainlythisis
Yoshidasviewwhenhestormsoffintothejungle,saying:Imgoingafterthatthingthatcameonboardandfrightenedeverybody...Icertainlyhopeitisaman
becausethenIllbeabletotalktohim.Illbeveryinterested

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tohearwhathesays.Amanthinksstrangethingswhenhesoutofhismind.Hisrealitymaybemorefascinatingthanours,anditwouldntmatterwhatheate.With
referencetowhatYoshidadiscoverswhenhedoescatchupwiththemushroomman,thatlastportionofhisoutburstoughttoberevised.Themushroommansreality
ismorefascinatingthanthecastawaysbecauseofwhatheate:theMatangoaremagicmushrooms.ThespeechYoshidadeliversuponhisreturntotheshipin
whichhealludestoNativeAmericanpeyoteritualsandtosimilarcustomsinJapanconfirmshehadalreadysuspectedasmuch.Andheevidentlyconsidersthe
opportunitytoconsumemagicmushroomsthatputoneintouchwiththeinfinitewellworththeprice,inthecaseofthemutagenicMatangomushroom,ofhis
humanity.
YoshidahashardlyprovenanadmirablehumanbeinghimselfwhenhereturnsfromthejunglehekillsthematewhiletryingtokidnaptheingenueAkikoandislater
expelledfromtheshipwithMeimiwhenthetwoofthemconspiretocausefurthertroublebutthefilmsexplicitargumentis,afterall,thataggression,competitive
struggle,andthewilltoascendtothesummitofthesocialpeckingorder,arethequintessentiallyhumanattributes,traitsdefinitiveofhumannature.Inbecoming
fungus,Yoshidadoeshimselfafavor.Althoughthemushroompeoplecanbecriticizedfor,sotospeak,overenthusiasticallyproselytizingtheirwayoflifewhenthey
swarmovertheshipinanattempttocarryoffMorreiandAkiko,thelastremaininghumansontheisland,littleindicationisgiventhatdominancebehaviorconstitutesa
significantdimensionoftheirsociallife.
Morrei,thesolesurvivortomakeitbacktocivilization,saysasmuchattheveryendofthefilm:Peopleincitiesarecruelarentthey?...Iwouldbehappiertolive
onthatislandthaninthiscity,happiertohavebecomefungusalongsideAkiko,whoherselffinallysuccumbedtotemptationandateMatango,thanreturntoasociety
thathasfendedoffthedisquietingimplicationsofhistestimonybyconfininghiminapsychiatricward.Thevoiceofscientificrationalismatthebeginningofhis
adventureMans...reasonmustgrowstrongerifwearetocontinuetoprogressMorreihaslosthisfaithintheEnlightenmentgrandnarrativesofuniversal
knowledgeandtheinherentlyprogressivecharacterofculturalhistory.Progress,henowbelieves,ismerelywarfarebyanothermeans,asublimationofovert
dominancebehavior.
Themushroompeople,wholaughuproariouslyandderisivelyatanyonewhostrugglestoremainmerelyhuman,wouldnodoubtagreewiththisassessment.The
mushroomstheyveconsumedhavetransportedthemtoaverydifferentreality.Thatis,theMatangoaremagicmushroomsintworespects:theyhave
hallucinogenicpropertiesandtheyare

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aphrodisiacs.Becomingfungusthusentailsenteringarealmofimaginativeandlibidinalexcess.Itisnoaccidentthatthefirsttwocastawaystosuccumbtothe
temptationofthemushroomsareYoshida,thewriter,andMeimi,thechanteuse,bothofwhomaremorelibidinallyopportunisticthantheircompanions.Thefirsttwo
victimsofbecomingfungusarepreciselytheleastinvestedinmaintainingasettledegocentricpsychologicalstructure,themostreceptivetothewaywardimpulsesof
unconsciousdrive.
Itcomesassomethingofasurprise,then,towitnessthatintheirhallucinationsthemushroompeoplereturntocivilization,tothegreatworldthathadpreviouslybeen
showninflashbacktobepermeatedwithaggressivetensionsanddominancehierarchies.Butwhatisnowforegroundedisthefantasticcharacterofthemultifarious
amusementsandpastimesofTokyonightlife,theinventivefecunditynowshowntohaveresidedallalonginhumanculture.Fromthisperspective,themushroom
peopleoughttobeinterpretednotasfiguringtranscendencetoanunheardofbeyondbutastropesforhithertoabominatedcapacitiesofthehumanbodyitself,
capacitiesatleastpotentiallyinconflictbothwiththeeverydaytacticalmaneuveringforadvantageinstancedthroughoutthefilmandwithsuchstrategicconsolidations
ofdominanceasModernitysnormalizingdefinitionofMan.
Fromtheperspectiveofevolutionarybiology,AttackofMushroomPeoplecanbesaidtothematizetwocharacteristicsofthehumanbodyleftunaddressedin
Laboritsaccount.Firstofall,thebrainspowersofinventionarefarinexcessofsurvivalrequirements,acharacteristictracingtoitsneotenousevolutionaryorigin.
Neoteny,StevenStanleysays,isakindofjuvenilization,wherebyembryonicoryouthfultraitsofourancestorshavebeenshiftedtotheadultstageofour
development(1981:127).Inthecaseofhumans,neotenyaccountsforthephysicalresemblanceofadulthumanstoimmaturechimpanzeesand,inStephenJay
Gouldswords,forthedevelopmentofalargecerebralcortexthroughtheretentionofrapidfetalgrowthrates(1977:77).Neotenousevolutionhasthusledtoan
enhancementoflearningandplaybehaviorsasinstancedintheremarkablyvariousarrayofculturalpracticesthathumanshaveinvented.
Thesecondpointtobemadehereconcernsanoddfactabouthumansexuality:insteadofseasonalorperiodicsexualitythatistimedtocoincidewiththepossibilityof
conception,humansarecapableofsexualresponseatanytime.Humansexuality,inotherwords,issubstantiallydecoupledfromtheexigenciesofreproductionwith
theresult,aspsychoanalysishasalwaysmaintainedandevolutionarytheorysupports,thatdesiringenergycaninvestabroadrangeofactivitiesandobjectsthrough
whichgratificationisobtained:virtuallyanybehaviorcanbeeroticized,

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virtuallyanythingatallcanbecomeanobjectofdesire.Echoingevolutionarytheory,DeleuzeandGuattariputitthisway:Sexualityisnotameansintheserviceof
generationrather,thegenerationofbodiesisintheserviceofsexualityasanautoproductionoftheunconscious(1977:108).Humansarethusconstitutionally
perversetheirdesiresareerrant,wandering.Whileanyobjectmaybesoinflatedwitheroticsignificancethatitimposesaritualizedpatternofbehaviorastheepitome
ofdesirabilityitself,thereisalsothepossibilityofarovingdesirethatisnevermorethancontingentlyboundforaparticulardestination.
Whatthusemergesinthemonstrousbecomingsofevolutionistcinemaisaportraitofabodynotmerelycompositebutactivelyatoddswithitself.Thesamebodythat
ishorrifiedbythediscoveryofthemenageriewithinisalsoeroticallythrilledattheprospectofmultiplicitousdestinies.Apeculiarbody,then:atoncehumaninits
longingforidentityandposthumanintheexhilarationproducedinitbyalterityabodyatoncepronetofantasiesofultimacyashumanandtofantasiesof
becomingasproteus.Anironicbody,too:justastheRcomplexorreptilianbrainisthemotiveforcepropellingtheconstructionandadherencetoaspecifically
humanidentity,sopolymorphoussexualityandthelimitlesscapacityofthecerebralcortexforimaginativeplay,traitsarguablyspecifictothehumanassemblage,
ensueintheproductionofindeterminatelymanyscenariosofmonstrousmetamorphosis.Butforallthat,abodythatneednotfeelitselfatanimpasse,solongasit
remainsundismayedbythefactthatFortunewhorulesthisworlddecreesSisypheanfatesforall.
Themonstrousbecomingsofevolutionistcinemacontinueaculturalprojectthatwasperhapsfirstbroachedinaconcertedwayintheheydayofthedissident
surrealists:recallthelibidinaleconomyofunconditionalexpenditurethatBataillethoughthedetectedinpotlatchrituals,orArtaudsbodywithoutorgansWhenyou
willhavemade[Man]abodywithoutorgans,thenyouwillhavedeliveredhimfromallhisautomaticreactionsandrestoredhimtohistruefreedomorthecollages
ofMaxErnstaboutwhichMargotNorrishasbrilliantlywritten:Ernstsbodyparts,mutilatedbodies,hybridizedcreatures,andotherwisedistortedformsbetrayan
intentiontochallengethemetaphysicalframeworkthatgivesrisetoconceptsofwholeness,oftheunityofthebody,oftheexpectedrelationsofpartstowhole(1985:
146).TheypracticallyinstantiateDeleuzeandGuattarisconceptofbecomingother.Theirrespectivemonstrousbecomingsbecomingcrustacean,becominginsect,
becomingrodent,becomingfungusmolecularizethemolaraggregateofMan,orsubmittheplaneoforganizationthatorganizesabodyintoaunified
functioningintheserviceoftheegototheplaneofimmanenceofthe

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bodywithoutorgans,therebyachievingabodilynomadismsuchthatthebodymayhenceforthbeunderstoodasanarchiveofpossibilitieswhosebehavior
resembleswhatcomplexdynamicistscallastrangeattractor:anirregularlyrecurrent,selfsimilarbutinfinitelyvarioussystemwhoseceaselessmutations,inthe
absenceofalineartrajectoryorgoal,transpireaccordingtothestrictlyadditiveprincipleand...and...and...ofschizonomadicpicaresque(Deleuzeand
Guattari,1987:232309).Notwithstandingtheiroccasionalhumanistnostalgia,themonstrousbecomingsofevolutionistcinemamakeahappilydeliriouscontribution
toataskdefinedbyDeleuzeasfollows:tomakethebodyapowerwhichisnotreducibletotheorganism,tomakethoughtapowerwhichisnotreducibleto
consciousness...(DeleuzeandParnet,1987:62).
WorksCited
Deleuze,Gilles,andFelixGuattari.AntiOedipus:CapitalismandSchizophrenia.Trans.RobertHurley,RobertSeem,andHelenR.Lane.NewYork:Viking,
1977.
.AThousandPlateaus:CapitalismandSchizophrenia.Trans.BrianMassumi.Minneapolis:UniversityofMinnesotaPress,1987.
Deleuze,Gilles,andClaireParnet.Dialogues.Trans.HughTomlinsonandBarbaraHabberjam.NewYork:ColumbiaUniversityPress,1987.
Douglas,Mary.PurityandDanger.London:Routledge,1969.
Gould,StephenJay.EversinceDarwin:ReflectionsonNaturalHistory.NewYork:Norton,1977.
Margulis,Lynn,andDorionSagan.MysteryDance:OntheEvolutionofHumanSexuality.NewYork:Summit,1991.
Norris,Margot.BeastsoftheModernImagination:Darwin,Nietzsche,Kafka,Ernst,andLawrence.Baltimore:JohnsHopkinsUniversityPress,1985.
Restak,RichardM.TheBrain.NewYork:Bantam,1984.
Stanley,StevenM.TheNewEvolutionaryTimetable:Fossils,Genes,andtheOriginofSpecies.NewYork:BasicBooks,1981.
Thomas,Lewis.TheLivesofaCell:NotesofaBiologyWatcher.NewYork:Bantam,1974.

Page267

Contributors
KathyAckerstwelvenovelsincludeGreatExpectations,BloodandGutsinHighSchool,KathyGoestoHaiti,andMyMother:Demonology.Shealsowrote
thescreenplayforthefilmVarietyandistheauthoroftheplayLuluUnchained.
AlexandraChasinisAssistantProfessorofEnglishatBostonCollege.Shestudies,teaches,andwritesaboutmaterialculture,feministtheory,popularculture,and
theU.S.inthetwentiethcentury.
CamillaGriggersteachesfeministculturalstudies,genderstudies,andmediatheoryintheDepartmentofEnglishsLiteraryandCulturalTheoryProgramatCarnegie
MellonUniversity.HerbookBecomingWomenisforthcomingfromtheUniversityofMinnesotaPresssTheoryOutofBoundsseries.Sheiscoproduceroftwo
pedagogicalvideos,Discourse/IntercourseandHirohitosFuneral.
JudithHalberstamisAssistantProfessorofLiteratureattheUniversityofCalifornia,SanDiego,wheresheteachesfilm,literature,andqueertheory.Shehasa
bookforthcomingfromDukeUniversityPresscalledSkinShows:GothicHorrorandtheTechnologyofMonsters.
KellyHurleyisAssistantProfessorofEnglishattheUniversityofColoradoatBoulder.Shehaspublishedarticlesonnineteenthcenturydegen267

Page268

erationtheoryandonlateVictorianGothicfiction,andiscompletingabookentitledGothicEmbodimentsoftheBritishFindeSicle.
IraLivingstonisAssistantProfessorofEnglishattheStateUniversityofNewYorkatStonyBrook.HeiscompletingabookaboutRomanticismand
postmodernity.
CarolMasonisfinishingherdoctoralworkinEnglishattheUniversityofMinnesota.
PaulaRabinowitzteachesculturalstudiesattheUniversityofMinnesota.SheistheauthorofTheyMustBeRepresented:ThePoliticsofDocumentaryandLabor
andDesire:WomensRevolutionaryFictioninDepressionAmerica.SheisalsocoeditorofWritingRed:AnAnthologyofAmericanWomenWriters,1929
1941.
RoddeyReidisAssociateProfessorofFrenchLiteratureattheUniversityofCalifornia,SanDiego.HeistheauthorofFamiliesinJeopardy:Regulatingthe
SocialBodyinFrance,17501910andeditorofLocatedKnowledge,aspecialissueofConfigurations:AJournalofLiterature,Science,andTechnology.
StevenShaviroistheauthorofPassionandExcess:Blanchot,Bataille,andLiteraryTheoryandTheCinematicBody.
SusanM.SquierisJuliaGreggBrillProfessorofEnglishandWomensStudiesatthePennsylvaniaStateUniversity.SheistheauthorofBabiesinBottles:
TwentiethCenturyVisionsofReproductiveTechnologyandVirginiaWoolfandLondon:TheSexualPoliticsoftheCitysheiseditorofWomenWritersand
theCity:EssaysinFeministLiteraryCriticismandcoeditorofArmsandtheWoman:War,Gender,andLiteraryRepresentation.
AllucquereRosanneStoneisAssistantProfessorofRadio,TV,andFilmattheUniversityofTexasatAustin.HerbookTheWarofDesireandTechnologyat
theCloseoftheMechanicalAgeisforthcomingfromMITPress.Sheiscurrentlyworkingonhersecondbook,TheGazeoftheVampireandananthologycalled
DangerousBodies.
JenniferTerryteachescoursesintheculturalstudiesofscienceprogramatOhioStateUniversity.SheiscoeditorofDeviantBodiesandiscompletingabookon
thehistoryofscientificresearchonhomosexuality.

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EricWhiteteachestwentiethcenturyliteraryculturalstudiesintheEnglishDepartmentattheUniversityofColoradoatBoulder.HeistheauthorofKaironomia:On
theWilltoInventandofessaysontherhetoricofscientificdiscourseinsuchfieldsaschaostheory,contemporarycosmology,andevolutionarybiology.

Page270

Index
A
Abortion:readingofTerminator2,23140
antiabortionmovement,17879,232,239,241n.9
prochoicemovement,239
ACTUP,15
Adoption,andpatriarchalfamily,182
Advertising,andideology,8592
AfricanAmericans:discourseonfamily,185,196n.6
womenandhistoryofdomesticservice,80
Agamben,Giorgio,48,52
AIDS,1516,15056
Albury,Rebecca,128
Alien(film,1979),20321,223n.17
Allen,Woody,7
Althusser,Louis,74
Anselmo(film,1971),101
Antiabortionmovement,17879,232,239,241n.9
Aristotle,14
Armstrong,Nancy,192
Artaud,Antonin,40,265
ArtificialParadise(film,1986),103
AsianAmericans,anddomesticservice,81
AttackoftheCrabMonsters(film,1957),24549,26061
AttackoftheMushroomPeople(film,1963),26166
Austin,J.L.,42
B
BabyJessicacase,182
Bailey,Michael,14950
Baker,RoyWard,25055,26061
Ballard,J.G.,38
Barrett,Michle,192
BasicInstinct(film,1992),16667,168,170
Bataille,Henry,45,47,52,265
Bateson,Gregory,52
Baudrillard,Jean,50
Beecher,CatherineandHarriet,82
Belous,RichardS.,183
Belsey,Catherine,115
Benjamin,Walter,110
Bennett,WilliamJ.,179
Bergler,Edmund,143
Berstrasserv.Mitchell(1978),232
Bhabha,Homi,8
Bieber,Isaac,143
Biologicaldeterminism,147,157
Biology:postmodernismandthebody,3854
scientificsearchforhomosexuality,14557
Biotechnology,andpoliticsof1990s,149
Birthcontrol,andeugenicsmovement,233
Blankenhorn,David,183
Body:biologicalapproachtopostmodernism,3854
emergenceofinhistory,12
filmtheoryandcyborgism,22540
humanidentityinevolutionistcinema,24466
scientificsearchforhomosexuality,13839,14547.
SeealsoPosthumanismandposthumanbody
BodyofEvidence(film,1993),166
Borden,Lizzie:mythof,16364
Boss,Pete,204,222n.15
BranchDavidiancult,18283
BraveNewWorld(Huxley),117
Breuer,Josef,28
Brittain,Vera,118
Brophy,Philip,221n.1
Brundle,Seth,51
Bruner,Jerome,95n.2
Buchanan,Pat,15455
Burr,Chandler,14748
Burroughs,William,2,3854
Bush,George,9,178
Buss,Leo,50
Butler,Judith,5,102,127
Butler,Octavia,12526
C
Cameron,James.SeeTerminator2
Campbell,Joseph,25
Cancer,studyofhomosexualityand,152,154
Canetti,Elias,49
Canguilhem,Georges,186
Capitalism,andhorrorfilms,206207,208,209
Caprio,Frank,143
Carpenter,John,204
Carter,Angela,103,11920,12425,12627
Casablanca(film,1942),165
Castrationanxiety,23435,249
Chandler,Raymond,164
Charcot,JeanMartin,138

Page271

Childabuse,andfamilyinpopularculture,17983
SeealsoSexualabuse
China,womenandmilitaryin,163
Chinatown(film,1974),165,166
Christianity:fundamentalistsandhomophobia,154
imageryinadvertising,8788
imageryinAttackoftheCrabMonsters,246
Cinema.SeeFilmtheory
Civilrights,biologicalmodelsofhomosexualityand,155
Class:biologicaldeterminismandsuicideofgayteenagers,157
discourseonfamily,18586,18690
genderandidentityissuesindomesticservice,7394
andmasculinityinTerminator2,229
Clinicalcasehistorymodel,ofhomosexuality,14041
Clinton,Bill,18283
Clinton,George,46
Colen,Shellee,7879
CommitteefortheStudyofSexVariants,14142
CommitteetoEndSterilizationAbuse(CESA),233
Community,womenasvictimsofviolence,16970
Conrad,Florence,14445
Consciousnessraisinggroups,98
Cook,Robin,11921
Coontz,Stephanie,193,19596n.4,19697n.12
Cooper,AnnaJulia,241n.7
Copernicus,95n.2
Corman,Roger,24549,26061
CosasdemiVida(film,1976),101
Cowan,RuthSchwartz,85,87
Craven,Wes,204
Creed,Barbara,209,222n.6,222n.8,222n.11
Crews,Harry,241n.6
Cronenberg,David,1314,4748,52,20321
Culture:discourseonfamily,18690
horrorfilmsascritiqueof,204
posthumanbodiesandsubcultures,48
scienceas,135
transnationalization,18
Cyborgs,8,88,22540,24041n.3
D
Darwin,Charles,95n.2
DaughtersofBilitis(DOB),143,144
Davis,Angela,23233
Dawkins,Richard,41,50,5253
DeadRingers(film,1988),1314
DeepThroat(film,1972),105
Deleuze,Gilles,andFelixGuattari:conceptofbecomingother,26566
evolutionarytheoryandsexuality,265
humansandinhumanities,194
languageasperformative,42
multiplicityandculturaldevelopment,30
Oedipusnarrative,192
paradigmofthesubject,8
posthumanismandmachines,162,227
postmodernbiology,51,52
psychoanalysisandfamily,190
Deren,Maya,103
Derrida,Jacques,3,45,221
Descartes,Ren,74
Desire,constructionofsexualidentity,125
Detectivefiction,16465
Difference,posthumanismandredistributionsof,10
Domesticity,indiscourseonfamily,18788
Domesticservice,7394
DoomPatrol(comicbook),4445
Dorner,Gunter,146
Douglas,Mary,247
Doyle,SirArthurConan,164
DredScottv.Sandford(1857),242n.15
Dulac,Germaine,103
E
Earthquake,inSanFrancisco(1990),1617
Echols,Alice,230
Edelman,Gerald,52
Ernst,Max,265
Ethiopia,Eritreanresistancein,163
Ethnography,andfeministfilmtheory,100103,110
Eugenicsmovement,117,139,233
Evil,andreadingofFiveMillionYearstoEarth,250,253,25455,260
Evolutionarytheory,inhorrorfilms,24466
F
Family:historyof,19697n.12
mythoffemalepredatorinmedia,164,170,174
popularcultureanddeathof,17795
posthumanbodiesandreproduction,1013
statisticsonrapeand,197n.14
Fanon,Frantz,241n.4
FatalAttraction(film,1987),167
Femininity,imagesof,163,164,222n.11
Feminism:analysisofAlien,208
critiquesofFreud,33
andfilmtheory,111n.4
genderandposthumanism,97110
genderinTerminator2,230
Harawayonembodiment,2
reproductivetechnology,115
sterilizationabuse,23334
subject/objectopposition,74
Fetus,andreproductivetechnology,11329
Filmtheory:cyborgismandreadingofTerminator2,22540
figureoffemalepredatorin,16567,168,170
posthumanidentityinhorrorfilms,20321,24466
Fitting,Peter,222n.6
FiveMillionYearstoEarth(film,1967),25055,26061
Flaherty,Robert,111n.10

Page272

TheFly(film,1987),13,4748
Ford,Henry,77,82
Foucault,Michel:bodyandmedicaldiscourse,18
disciplinarypower,51
feminismandsocialsciences,97
historyofsexuality,113
languageaspower,43,180
postmodernbiology,3839,49
onpsychoanalysis,140,190
reversediscourse,15
Frankenstein(Shelley),11617,120,125,126
Freud,Sigmund,26,28,3233,40,95n.2,208,212,258
Friedman,Batya,84
G
Gaines,Jane,230
Gallo,Frank,183
Gay,Jan,14142
GayandLesbianAllianceAgainstDefamation(Glaad),168,169
Gender:classandidentityindomesticservice,7394
cyborgsinpopularculture,24041n.3
feminismandposthumanism,97110
horrorfilms,20921
posthumanbodiesandsexuality,89
readingsofhorrorfilms,24849,254
sexismandbiologicaldeterminism,155
GeneralElectricCo.,8592
Genetics,instudiesofhomosexuality,14850
Gibson,William,44
Giger,H.R.,217,22223n.16
GlimpsesinaGarden(film),103
Goldberg,Jonathan,229
Goodwin,Frederick,149
Gordon,Bette,99
Gould,StephenJay,50,52,264
Grafton,Sue,195
Gratz,Roberta,81
Gray,Stephen,130n.5
Greenberg,HarveyR.,208,221n.1
Guattari,Felix.SeeDeleuze,Gilles
Guizot,Franois,18990
GulfWar,179
H
Halberstam,Judith,19394,236
Haldane,J.B.S.,118,12829
Hale,SarahJ.,18889
Hamer,DeanH.,157
Hammett,Dashiell,164
Hammonds,Evelynn,154
Haraway,Donna:conceptofcyborg,8,88,22527,238,239,240
feministembodiment,2
modernistepistemology,119
posthumanismandhistory,235
postmodernbiotechnology,39,49,50,51,156
reproductivetechnology,129
Hayles,N.Katherine,119,129n.2
Heidegger,Martin,43
Heider,Karl,100,111n.6
Henderson,Andrea,116
Heterosexuality,performancesof,58
Hill,Paul,23940,242n.15
Hirschfeld,Magnus,13940,141
HispanicAmericans,indomesticservice,81
History:emergenceofbodyin,12
ideasofbodyandself,236
posthumanbodiesanddeathof,34
technologiesoflaborandidentitiesofworkers,93
Holmes,MarianSmith,81
Holzer,Jenny,15
Homophobia:military,16768
NewRight,15455
scienceandmedicine,136
Homosexuality:militarypolicyon,16768
scienceanddeviantsubjectivity,13557.
SeealsoLesbianismQueertheory
Honda,Inoshiro,26166
hooks,bell,234
Hooper,Tobe,204
Hopkins,Pauline,241n.7
Horowitz,Gad,206
Horrorfilms,20321,24466
Howe,Gaylon,84
HumanGenomeProject,17,148
Humanism:analysisofAlien,208
posthumanismand,910
universalhumanidentityinliberal,75,94
Humannature,inhorrorfilms,24466
HusbandsandWives(film,1992),7
Hussein,Saddam,179
Huxley,Aldous,117
Huxley,Julian,118
I
Identity:classandgenderindomesticservice,7394
horrorfilmsandhuman,20321,24466
MultiplePersonalityDisorderand,2337
politicsofandpsychoanalytictheory,99100
posthumanismandredistributionsof,10
Ideology:inadvertising,8592
andreadingsofhorrorfilms,205209
Indiana,Gary,19192
Industrialism,andreproductiverepresentationsinliterature,115,117
Insects,andpostmodernbiology,4654
Irigaray,Luce,222n.13
Isis,cultof,25
Israel,womenandmilitary,163
J
Jacob,Franois,39
Jameson,Fredric,1213,242n.13
Jolley,Elizabeth,11920,12124,126
Jones,Ernest,28

Page273

K
Kahn,PeterH.,Jr.,84
Kameny,Frank,144
Katzman,David,80
Kavanaugh,JamesH.,209,222n.10
Keller,EvelynFox,156
Kinsey,Alfred,14243
Kinship,reproductionandidentity,12526
Kneale,Nigel,250
Knife,Shonen,46
Koedt,Anne,105,147,150
KrafftEbing,Richardvon,138
Kristeva,Julia,221n.4,222n.8
L
Lacan,Jacques,11,14,38,43
lang,k.d.,14
Language,postmodern,3946,129
Laqueur,Thomas,12
Lasch,Christopher,195
Latour,Bruno,122
Legalsystem:mentalillnessandrape,2337
patriarchalmodeloffamily,18283
Lesbian/Woman(MartinandLyon),145
Lesbianism:criminalizationofidentityinpopularculture,16275
cultureandsexualorientation,15556
LeVay,Simon,15152,153,156,157
Levitan,SarA.,183
Lewontin,Richard,54
Liberalfeminism,236
Liberation,aszerosumgame,95n.5
Lispector,Clarice,4748
Literature,reproductiveimagesin,11529
Livingston,Ira,19394,222n.12,236
Livingston,Jennie.SeeParisIsBurning
Locke,John,124
LookingforMr.Goodbar(film,1977),105
Lorenz,Konrad,146
Lovelock,James,52
Ludovici,Anthony,118
Lynching,23031,232,234,241n.7
Lyon,Phyllis,145
M
McIntosh,Mary,19293
McKenna,Terence,52
McLuhan,Marshall,39,44
Madonna,45,7,166
Maeterlinck,Maurice,54
TheMalteseFalcon(film,1931),165
Margulis,Lynn,47,50,252
Martin,Del,145
Marx,Karl,1819,41
Marxism,7778
Masculinity,imagesof,22829
MashpeeIndians,2324
MattachineSociety,143,144
Mazlish,Bruce,76,9495n.2
Media:criminalizationoflesbianidentity,16275
deathoffamilyand,17795
Mellencamp,Patricia,111n.4
Menendezbrotherscase,195n.2
Mentalillness,legalsystemand,2337
MeshesoftheAfternoon(film,1943),103
Military:homosexualityandhomophobia,16768,193
imageryinadvertising,88,90
incorporationofwomeninto,163
Minhha.SeeTrinhT.Minhha
Modleski,Tania,221n.3,222n.14
Molina,Gloria,81
MosoriMonika(film,1971),100101
Moyers,Bill,185
Moynihan,DanielPatrick,196n.6
MujeresdeMilfuegos(film,1976),101
MultiplePersonalityDisorder(MPD),2337
Mulvey,Laura,111n.3
Mumford,Lewis,77,8283
Myth:andadvertising,8592
horrorfilmsand,244,246,249
ofLizzieBorden,16364
MyUncleinAmerica(film,1980),25561
N
Nagel,Thomas,47
NationalCancerInstitute(NCI),152,154
NativeAmericans:legalidentityoftribes,2324
peyoterituals,263
sterilizationabuse,233
Neoliberalism,18384
NeoNazism,18182
NewRight:antiabortionmovement,241n.9
andfamily,184
homophobiaof,15455
Newton,Judith,222n.10
Nietzsche,Friedrich,48,53
Norris,Margot,265
O
OBrien,Robert,77,85
OConnor,DavidC.,75
Oedipuscomplex,26,33,192
Osirismyth,2526,33
OutinFilm,168,169
Overkill(televisionmovie),17175
P
ParisIsBurning(film,1991),57,173
ThePassionofNewEve(Carter),12425,12627
Patriarchy,asmodeloffamily,18283
Peckham,Morse,42,49
Penley,Constance,223n.19,241n.8
Performance:critiqueascultural,99100
genderandtheoriesof,102
languageandperformativity,42
Piercy,Marge,226,24041n.3
Pillard,Richard,14950,151,156
Pinker,Steven,52

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Politics:familyvaluesand,1213,18486,196n.5
feminismandculturalperformances,110
geneticstudiesofhomosexuality,14950
horrorfilmsand,207,208
posthumanismandhistory,23536
postmodernbiology,5253
scienceandsexualsubjectivity,15657
SeealsoNewRight
Poovey,Mary,23739,240
Popenoe,David,18384
Popularculture:criminalizationoflesbianidentity,16275
cyborgsandgenderdifference,24041n.3
deathoffamily,17795
imagesofmasculinity,22829
Pornography,desireasfetishizedcommodity,105
Posthumanismandposthumanbody:aliensand,1314
catachresisand,14
class,identity,andgenderindomesticservice,7394
currentproliferationofwritingon,1719
evolutionistcinema,265
familyandreproduction,1013
genderandfeminism,97110
genderandsexuality,89
andhumanism,910
identityinhorrorfilms,20321
postmodernismand,24
queertheoryand,1416
reproductivetechnologyand,11329
subcultureswithoutculture,48
SeealsoBody
Postmodernism:bodyandbiology,3854
andfamily,1213,194
reproductiveimagesinliterature,12029
newimageoffemininity,163,164
posthumanismand,24
technologyand,119,129n.3
Poststructuralism,40,226
Pregnancy,portraitsofmale,130n.5
Prince,Stephen,219,221n.3
Prochoicemovement,239
Pronatalism,115
Psychoanalytictheory,99100,102
Q
Quayle,Dan,149,185,193,196n.5
QueerNation,168,169
Queertheory,1416
R
Rabid(film,1977),20321
Raceandracism:civilrightsandbiologicaldeterminism,155
historyofdomesticservice,7980,81
politicaldiscourseonfamily,18586,196n.6
readingofTerminator2,23031,23233,234,235
andwomensrights,24142n.10
Radicalfeminism,147,236
Rape,2337,197n.14
Reagan,Ronald,39,183
Reassemblage(film,1982),101102,111n.7
Reno,Janet,18283
Reproduction:evolutionarytheoryandhumansexuality,26465
familyandposthumanbody,1013
languageand,4142
readingofAlien,21621
technologyandposthumanbody,11329
RepublicanParty,155,194
Resnais,Alain.SeeMyUncleinAmerica
Restak,Richard,257
Riley,Denise,102
Roev.Wade(1973),239,242n.15
Roiphe,Katie,104
Rollins,Judith,79,80
Romanticism,115,11617
Romero,GeorgeA.,204
Roosevelt,Franklin,233
Roosevelt,Theodore,18687
Rosmarin,Adena,109
Ross,Andrew,225,226,238
Ross,Colin,2526,2930,33,34
Ryman,Geoff,130n.5
S
Sagan,Dorion,11,252
Sanger,Margaret,233
Sanjek,Roger,7879
Saussure,Ferdinandde,40
Schell,Jonathan,231
Schiebinger,Londa,121
Science,homosexualityandsubjectivityin,13557
Scott,Joan,242n.14
Scott,Ridley,20321
Sedgwick,Eve,157,172
Serres,Michel,44
Sexism,andbiologicaldeterminism,155
Sexualabuse,28,33
Sexuality:andadvertising,88
inhorrorfilms,20921,223n.18,26465
posthumanbodiesand,89
safersexpamphletsand,193
inTerminator2,229
Shalala,Donna,196n.5
Shapiro,Thomas,233
Sheldrake,Rupert,52
Shelley,Mary,11617,120,125,126
Shneiderman,Ben,7677,8384
Silverman,Kaja,112n.22
Slavery,historyofdomesticservice,7980,81
Sobchack,Vivian,241n.5
Socialistfeminism,242n.14
Sociobiology,5354,157
Sofia,Zoe,241n.9
SoftFiction(film,1979),98110
Spectator,andhorrorfilm,206,222n.8
Spillane,Mickey,16465
Spivak,Gayatri,97
Springer,Claudia,240n.3

Page275

StanfordGenderDysphoriaProject,33
Stanley,Steven,264
Sterilization,andeugenicsmovement,233
Strand,Chick,98
Strathern,Marilyn,125
Subjectivity:class,gender,andidentityindomesticservice,7394
conceptofabjection,221n.4
cyborgismandreading,226
deathoffamily,19192
MultiplePersonalityDisorderandidentity,3536
scienceanddeviant,13557
TheSugarMother(Jolley),12124
Suicide,ingayteenagers,157
T
Taussig,Michael,168,169
Technology:classandidentityindomesticservice,7394
MultiplePersonalityDisorderandcommunication,34
postmodernbiotechnology,4445,4950
postmodernismandposthumanism,34
reproductiveandposthumanbody,11329
Television,165,17175,180
Terminator2(film,1991),22640
TheyCamefromWithin(film,1975),215
TheThing(film,1951),219
Thomas,Lewis,252
Thurmond,Strom,184
Tomashoff,Craig,73
Tournier,Michel,45
Traube,Elizabeth,22829
TrinhT.Minhha,101102,103,111n.7
Tsuburaya,Eiji,26166
Turkle,Sherry,3435,90
U
U2(rockgroup),3,16
V
Varela,Francesco,52
Violence:criminalizationoflesbianidentityinpopularculture,16275
MultiplePersonalityDisorderandidentity,3536
socialdistributionof,17
Voguing(dance),4,5,7
VonPraunheim,Rosa,42
W
Wacoincident,18283
Walters,WilliamA.W.,12728
Wells,H.G.,121
Wells,IdaB.,241n.7
Westphal,Karl,138
Whiteness,67
Whites:eugenicpoliciesagainstpeopleofcolor,23234
indomesticservice,8990
whitewomenasrepresentedagainstblackmen,22935.
SeealsoWhiteness
Williams,Linda,105
Williamson,DonaldI.,48
Wills,Christopher,50,53
Wilson,EdwardO.,54
Winfrey,Oprah,180,184
Winner,Langdon,93,95n.5
Wittgenstein,Ludwig,42,43
Wojnarowicz,David,1416
Wood,Robin,206,210,221n.3,22122n.5
Woolf,Virginia,97
Woolgar,Steve,122
Wordsworth,William,1
WorldWarII,womenandmilitary,163
Wuornos,Aileen,168,17075
Z
ZooTV(U2),3,16