Some people may be afraid of cords, and others may be just as afraid of looms. Kim Knight, associate professor of humanities, is the founder of Fashioning Circuits, a workshop that brings together maker culture, activism, and technology. Through my research into emerging media, I realized that what prevents people from experimenting with digital tools is their negative experiences with technology and themselves. Knight hopes to break down this intimidation barrier by incorporating tools that many people have likely used at least once in their lives.
Assistant Professor of Humanities Kim Knight is excited to introduce Spartans to the world of digital media.
From printers to complex programs, Knight strives to understand technology with a “play around” attitude, wanting to know what the buttons do and how they work. But while Ms. Knight was in the office, she noticed that many of her colleagues were afraid of technology and, more worryingly, unable to ask for help to overcome that fear. “I've used a lot of office technology in my past jobs, and I've always been curious about why people are intimidated by office technology,” Knight says.
This led to the creation of Fashioning Circuits, a feminist project. Through this project, Knight wanted to make it possible for women and anyone to try out this technology. Participants are incorporating technology into textiles such as LED electronic lights on her dresses. “A lot of people don't think of sewing machines that way, but they are technology,” she says. Knight says she believes the biggest step to overcoming these fears of technology is having the confidence to explore and create. Knight teaches new creative practices by allowing participants to explore the relationship between media and technology with domestic skills such as sewing and crochet. “Part of my job is to inspire confidence,” she says.
Knight's main goal at SJSU is to introduce people, especially those from marginalized communities, to learning how to use digital media to their advantage. “Students who are intimidated by coding are often intimidated by maker practices,” Knight says. “Some students fear sewing machines as much as they fear coding.” This fear of technology is also perpetuated by how scary certain technologies are. Giving underrepresented groups access to the use of technology can help broaden their horizons and provide them with another tool to address broader systems of power and oppression.
Knight recognizes both the benefits and drawbacks of society's heavy reliance on digital media. “Being connected has had a really positive impact on our ability to communicate and find each other,” she says. “But the anonymity of being able to contact someone on the other side of a keyboard can have negative effects.” Online spaces make communication accessible to everyone, Knight said. This can lead to more harmful outcomes for marginalized communities. Unfortunately, online harassment is common on social media platforms. Two people can speak out about social issues, but one person can be targeted by hate simply because of their race. Knight poses questions to her students about these issues in hopes of promoting critical thinking about how we use technology today. She asks, “What is privileged in conversations about knowledge and culture? And how can we change that?”
Technology is now used in almost every aspect of our lives, including the creative arts. When there is limited representation about who makes technology, it can also affect people's perceptions of it. “If there are no women or sexual minorities majoring in STEM fields who are equipped with facilities with these advanced tools, the problem will also impact the production of digital media, whether in terms of development or ease of use.” ,” Knight said. I will explain. She counters this with Fashioning Circuits, which allows diverse students to participate in the technical aspects of creative media.
By interconnecting maker culture, activism, and technology, Knight aims to bring digital media opportunities to SJSU students, especially those who may be fearful of technology. “Through the fashion circuits and courses I have taught, I have been successful in reducing students' internal barriers and fears about using technology,” says Knight.
