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Papers by Rebecca Gibson
American Anthropologist, 2023
Desire in the Age of Robots and AI, 2019
In this chapter, Gibson shows how the physical nature of the androids in Do Androids Dream of Ele... more In this chapter, Gibson shows how the physical nature of the androids in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (Dick, Do androids dream of electric sheep. Del Ray, New York, NY, 1968/2017) is such that they are excellent examples for this conceit—human skin over an organic-mechanic built frame, they are the ultimate cyborgs, with programmed mental/emotional natures, and created bodies, who can, or are trying to, pass as human. Humans are born, made of flesh and blood, and have created the androids to do work they do not wish to do. How human do robots have to be in order for us to find them desirable? Some answers come from recent developments in android design and the reactions to them.
Sexuality & Culture, 2016
The Corseted Skeleton
This chapter provides a nuanced view as to who wore a corset, what an “average” corset might look... more This chapter provides a nuanced view as to who wore a corset, what an “average” corset might look like, and data on the specific dimensions and materials from the corsets in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Fashion Museum in Bath, St. Fagans Museum in Cardiff, and the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh’s collections. The bulk of the chapter details those collections, looking at trends in fabric and other material use over time, whether or not there was a change in size dependent on the fineness of the garment, and showing the abovementioned peculiarities. This is done with data in aggregate, divided by decades. Gibson also discusses the finances of affording a corset—how much they might cost, what materials were available, who had access to them, and whether or not there were socioeconomic barriers to corseting. Finally, Gibson returns to theoretical arguments that corseting can be a barrier between a woman and the outside world, analyzing such ideas as the Separate Spheres ideology, thoughts about civilization and corset wearing, and what was considered by women when they wore their garments. This is a discourse predicated on ideas of women’s bodily autonomy and their choices in wearing the corset, and is continued in the next chapter.
Desire in the Age of Robots and AI, 2019
This chapter examines the first Blade Runner movie, Ridley Scott’s adaptation of the original nov... more This chapter examines the first Blade Runner movie, Ridley Scott’s adaptation of the original novella (1982). In Blade Runner, Replicants become undetectable, undifferentiated visually, from humans. The newer models can pass the Voight-Kampff test—a test which distinguishes true emotional responses from implanted ones. This perfect mimicry is our next iteration of how we desire sex robots to behave, and it is desired well in advance of the possibility of building such bots. It is in this iteration of the story where two theoretical questions appear—that of the racialization of the characters, which is far more apparent in a visual media, and the humanity of death—that how being able to die, and the fear of it, humanize the movie’s Replicants.
Desire in the Age of Robots and AI, 2019
This chapter concludes this book, and looks at the way the stories are changing to be somewhat mo... more This chapter concludes this book, and looks at the way the stories are changing to be somewhat more inclusive, though acknowledging that there remains a long way to go. It begins by reiterating some of the themes from previous chapters, including that of the potential for self-replication and the potential for sex robot revolt, while discussing the perils of giving something an emotive capability, forgetting that rage, hatred, and the will to survive are also emotions. It also looks at the diversity of the emerging sci-fi and examines how such ideas fit into the greater narrative. It also contains a peek at the very newest of advancements in cybernetics and AI, examining biofeedback prosthetics, ‘learning’ AI, and following the latest news on Sophia, the Saudi citizen robot.
Desire in the Age of Robots and AI, 2019
In this final descriptive chapter, Gibson examines the most current iteration of the story, Blade... more In this final descriptive chapter, Gibson examines the most current iteration of the story, Blade Runner 2049, and teases out implications for the future of robotics. Humans identify themselves against a contrast of Replicant life in a very binary fashion. The creator is meaningless without the creation, for to know what it is to be human, there must be an inhuman correlate. For the latter part of this chapter, the author includes interviews with robotics developers and sci-fi authors about their own desires, and why they chose to make hominoid robots. What happens when the creator is replaced and the creation can give birth to life? Will our own robotics ever be able to self-replicate?
The discussion surrounding women’s place in the home vs. their public personas is one that must b... more The discussion surrounding women’s place in the home vs. their public personas is one that must be approached with nuance. In this chapter, Gibson draws from multiple sources to tease out the various strands of that discussion as it intersects with corsets, tight clothing, and the dress reform movement of the 1890s and 1900s. As seen in the previous chapter, women’s relationship with their corsets and other clothing as arbiters of social standing and defense against penetrations (both real and symbolic) was deeply ingrained, yet also contested from both men and women from this time. Health and morality were deeply linked with ill-health and/or the poverty that occasionally caused such ill-health being seen as moral failings rather than failings of the flesh. Through this time, we see a change and a conflict in this narrative, one from the men railing against the tight stays of earlier times, to the women creating their own dress reform movement to remove tight/hot clothing and relea...
NEXUS: The Canadian Student Journal of Anthropology, 2015
This 2012/2013 study looks at corset dimensions and skeletal rib deformation in female remains fr... more This 2012/2013 study looks at corset dimensions and skeletal rib deformation in female remains from three time periods and two locations to understand certain aspects of longevity. All artifacts and skeletal remains originate from the Early Modern, Victorian, and Edwardian periods. The corsets are held in the Victoria and Albert Museum, and range in date from 1750-1908. The data on the skeletal remains are the result of the author’s examination of collections held in the Musee de l’Homme in Paris, France, and the Centre for Human Bioarchaeology at the Museum of London Archaeology (MoL) in London, England. An anachronistic view of corseted women posits that they lived short and painful lives. I examine these skeletal remains with an eye toward establishing that rich or poor, young or old, corseted women lived comparatively long lives, and that the corset was not, in itself, a death sentence. My findings indicate that although women experienced skeletal deformation because of co...
American Anthropologist, 2023
Desire in the Age of Robots and AI, 2019
In this chapter, Gibson shows how the physical nature of the androids in Do Androids Dream of Ele... more In this chapter, Gibson shows how the physical nature of the androids in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (Dick, Do androids dream of electric sheep. Del Ray, New York, NY, 1968/2017) is such that they are excellent examples for this conceit—human skin over an organic-mechanic built frame, they are the ultimate cyborgs, with programmed mental/emotional natures, and created bodies, who can, or are trying to, pass as human. Humans are born, made of flesh and blood, and have created the androids to do work they do not wish to do. How human do robots have to be in order for us to find them desirable? Some answers come from recent developments in android design and the reactions to them.
Sexuality & Culture, 2016
The Corseted Skeleton
This chapter provides a nuanced view as to who wore a corset, what an “average” corset might look... more This chapter provides a nuanced view as to who wore a corset, what an “average” corset might look like, and data on the specific dimensions and materials from the corsets in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Fashion Museum in Bath, St. Fagans Museum in Cardiff, and the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh’s collections. The bulk of the chapter details those collections, looking at trends in fabric and other material use over time, whether or not there was a change in size dependent on the fineness of the garment, and showing the abovementioned peculiarities. This is done with data in aggregate, divided by decades. Gibson also discusses the finances of affording a corset—how much they might cost, what materials were available, who had access to them, and whether or not there were socioeconomic barriers to corseting. Finally, Gibson returns to theoretical arguments that corseting can be a barrier between a woman and the outside world, analyzing such ideas as the Separate Spheres ideology, thoughts about civilization and corset wearing, and what was considered by women when they wore their garments. This is a discourse predicated on ideas of women’s bodily autonomy and their choices in wearing the corset, and is continued in the next chapter.
Desire in the Age of Robots and AI, 2019
This chapter examines the first Blade Runner movie, Ridley Scott’s adaptation of the original nov... more This chapter examines the first Blade Runner movie, Ridley Scott’s adaptation of the original novella (1982). In Blade Runner, Replicants become undetectable, undifferentiated visually, from humans. The newer models can pass the Voight-Kampff test—a test which distinguishes true emotional responses from implanted ones. This perfect mimicry is our next iteration of how we desire sex robots to behave, and it is desired well in advance of the possibility of building such bots. It is in this iteration of the story where two theoretical questions appear—that of the racialization of the characters, which is far more apparent in a visual media, and the humanity of death—that how being able to die, and the fear of it, humanize the movie’s Replicants.
Desire in the Age of Robots and AI, 2019
This chapter concludes this book, and looks at the way the stories are changing to be somewhat mo... more This chapter concludes this book, and looks at the way the stories are changing to be somewhat more inclusive, though acknowledging that there remains a long way to go. It begins by reiterating some of the themes from previous chapters, including that of the potential for self-replication and the potential for sex robot revolt, while discussing the perils of giving something an emotive capability, forgetting that rage, hatred, and the will to survive are also emotions. It also looks at the diversity of the emerging sci-fi and examines how such ideas fit into the greater narrative. It also contains a peek at the very newest of advancements in cybernetics and AI, examining biofeedback prosthetics, ‘learning’ AI, and following the latest news on Sophia, the Saudi citizen robot.
Desire in the Age of Robots and AI, 2019
In this final descriptive chapter, Gibson examines the most current iteration of the story, Blade... more In this final descriptive chapter, Gibson examines the most current iteration of the story, Blade Runner 2049, and teases out implications for the future of robotics. Humans identify themselves against a contrast of Replicant life in a very binary fashion. The creator is meaningless without the creation, for to know what it is to be human, there must be an inhuman correlate. For the latter part of this chapter, the author includes interviews with robotics developers and sci-fi authors about their own desires, and why they chose to make hominoid robots. What happens when the creator is replaced and the creation can give birth to life? Will our own robotics ever be able to self-replicate?
The discussion surrounding women’s place in the home vs. their public personas is one that must b... more The discussion surrounding women’s place in the home vs. their public personas is one that must be approached with nuance. In this chapter, Gibson draws from multiple sources to tease out the various strands of that discussion as it intersects with corsets, tight clothing, and the dress reform movement of the 1890s and 1900s. As seen in the previous chapter, women’s relationship with their corsets and other clothing as arbiters of social standing and defense against penetrations (both real and symbolic) was deeply ingrained, yet also contested from both men and women from this time. Health and morality were deeply linked with ill-health and/or the poverty that occasionally caused such ill-health being seen as moral failings rather than failings of the flesh. Through this time, we see a change and a conflict in this narrative, one from the men railing against the tight stays of earlier times, to the women creating their own dress reform movement to remove tight/hot clothing and relea...
NEXUS: The Canadian Student Journal of Anthropology, 2015
This 2012/2013 study looks at corset dimensions and skeletal rib deformation in female remains fr... more This 2012/2013 study looks at corset dimensions and skeletal rib deformation in female remains from three time periods and two locations to understand certain aspects of longevity. All artifacts and skeletal remains originate from the Early Modern, Victorian, and Edwardian periods. The corsets are held in the Victoria and Albert Museum, and range in date from 1750-1908. The data on the skeletal remains are the result of the author’s examination of collections held in the Musee de l’Homme in Paris, France, and the Centre for Human Bioarchaeology at the Museum of London Archaeology (MoL) in London, England. An anachronistic view of corseted women posits that they lived short and painful lives. I examine these skeletal remains with an eye toward establishing that rich or poor, young or old, corseted women lived comparatively long lives, and that the corset was not, in itself, a death sentence. My findings indicate that although women experienced skeletal deformation because of co...
Office hours: 2:30-3:30 T/R Course description: This course deals with the nature of anthropology... more Office hours: 2:30-3:30 T/R Course description: This course deals with the nature of anthropology as a broad and diverse area of study. The anthropological study of humankind will be approached from the perspectives of physical anthropology; prehistory and archaeology; and linguistic anthropology and socio-cultural anthropology. The diversity of humankind will be explored in all its aspects from times past to the present. Course objectives: • describe what anthropologists do and why anthropology is important for understanding human experiences • recognize the underlying structural similarities of social systems as well as individual variability of human cultures • apply anthropological methods to understand everyday questions and problems; and • use their newly acquired knowledge to analyze ways in which collective norms and meanings shape individuals' worldviews, ranges of choices, and daily interactions. Required materials and assignments: All required homework readings that are not included in your textbooks will be posted on Sakai, under the resources tab. If you cannot find a reading, if you are unable to open a reading, if the quality of the PDF makes an assignment hard to read, you must tell me as soon as possible, at least 36 hours before the class in which the assigned reading will be discussed, and longer if that 36 hours includes a weekend. There will be minor assignments almost every class period in the form of reading reactions worth 15 points, and three major assignments spaced throughout the semester worth 100 points for the first two and 150 points for the final project. The reading reactions are required, but I will be dropping the lowest score. The major assignments will be handed out as they come up in the semester, at which time you will receive a rubric for guidance in preparing your assignment submission. In accordance with the university's honor code, we will discuss collaboration and plagiarism (see also the syllabus section below). Assignments may be added or subtracted as needed due to class requirements, goals, or the inevitable Indiana lake effect snow day.
Office hours: 2:30-3:30 T/R Course description: This writing intensive class will serve to introd... more Office hours: 2:30-3:30 T/R Course description: This writing intensive class will serve to introduce students to archaeological concepts, including the principles of excavation and the organization of a field season, and give a brief overview of archaeological theory, while concentrating on women's contributions to early archaeology and their current and continuing involvement in the science. The course materials will be drawn from the works of modern theorists like Margaret Conkey and Joan Gero, popular science authors including Amy Adams and Clea Koff, and historical fiction, particularly Agatha Christie. At the end of the course, students will be able to identify various stages of excavation and identify each stages importance as part of the whole, critically engage with theorists and authors in the field through discussion and written work, and demonstrate their awareness of current gender based trends in archaeology, specifically those that highlight the contributions of women to the discipline. Course objectives • Demonstrate comprehension of the how gender is a factor in scientific work • Explain principles of excavation-based archaeology • Clearly articulate contributions of key female archaeologists • Engage in polite and persuasive discussion regarding various issues in current archaeological thought Required materials and assignments: All required homework readings that are not included in your textbooks will be posted on Sakai, under the resources tab. If you cannot find a reading, if you are unable to open a reading, if the quality of the PDF makes an assignment hard to read, you must tell me as soon as possible, at least 36 hours before the class in which the assigned reading will be discussed, longer than 36 hours if there is a weekend. There will be minor assignments almost every class period in the form of reading reactions worth 15 points, and one major assignment worth 150 points for the final project. The reading reactions are required, but I will be dropping the lowest score. The major assignment will be handed out mid-semester, at which time you will receive a rubric for guidance in preparing your assignment submission. In accordance with the university's honor code, we will discuss collaboration and plagiarism (see also the syllabus section below). Assignments may be added or subtracted as needed due to class requirements, goals, or the inevitable Indiana lake effect snow day. Grading:
Course description: Introduction to Forensic Anthropology provides a broad overview of an applied... more Course description: Introduction to Forensic Anthropology provides a broad overview of an applied field of biological anthropology. Forensic anthropologists use knowledge of skeletal anatomy to answer questions of medico-legal significance. This typically involves the identification of human skeletal remains and the interpretation of the circumstances surrounding their death. While this course does not teach laboratory proficiency in the techniques of forensic anthropology, it outlines the concepts underlying the recovery and analysis of human remains, the determination of the biological profile (including age, sex, ancestry, and stature), and the interpretation of skeletal trauma and pathology. Course material will be presented in lecture format, supplemented by videos, daily in-class discussions, team-based activities, and collaborative student presentations. Course Objectives Upon completion of this course, students will be able to accomplish the following: ■ Identify both the potential and the problems of human skeletal analysis. ■ Differentiate and describe the roles of the forensic anthropologist in a range of lab and field settings. ■ Develop the communication and critical-thinking skills to investigate these issues. ■ Articulate forensic anthropological knowledge in a professional manner. ■ Evaluate and question the anthropological literature.
Office hours: 1:30-2:30, M/W Course Description: This course approaches human evolution from a th... more Office hours: 1:30-2:30, M/W Course Description: This course approaches human evolution from a theoretical point of view that combines both biological and cultural processes into a cohesive bio-cultural model. It begins by tracing the development of modern evolutionary theory and the place of evolutionary studies in anthropology, especially in the sub-field of bioanthropology. These concepts provide the framework for understanding the many lines of evidence that anthropologists use to explore and explain human evolution. These include studies of our primate relatives, through the intricacies of the fossil record, to archaeological evidence for the invention of material culture from the simplest stone tools to the complex cultural world that we live in today. Modern human variation can only be explained as the result of evolutionary forces acting on the complex interplay of biology and culture over millions of years. We continue to be affected by these forces, and this course not only provides information about where we came from, it also provides the scientific backgrounds to help us understand where we might be going as our species continues to evolve. Learning objectives: After this class, students will be able to: • Demonstrate comprehension of the scientific principles of evolution • Explain human variation and its relation to the discipline and subdisciplines of bioanthropology • Clearly articulate practical aspects of all subdisciplines of bioanthropology • Engage in polite and persuasive discussion regarding various issues in current anthropological thought Required materials and assignments: All required homework readings will be posted on Sakai, under the resources tab. If you cannot find a reading, if you are unable to open a reading, if the quality of the PDF makes an assignment hard to read, you must tell me as soon as possible. There will be minor assignments almost every class period in the form of reading reactions worth 15 points, and four major assignments spaced throughout the semester worth 100 points for the first three and 150 points for the final project. The reading reactions are required, but I will be dropping the lowest score. The major assignments will be handed out as they come up in the semester, at which time you will receive a rubric for guidance in preparing your assignment submission. In accordance with the university's honor code, we will discuss collaboration and plagiarism (see also the syllabus section below). There will be one field trip, several days in the bioanthropology lab, and a few opportunities to do optional extra credit work. If you have ideas for extra credit work, please let me know and I will do my best to incorporate them into the schedule. Assignments may be added or subtracted as needed due to class requirements, goals, or the inevitable Indiana lake effect snow day.
Course title: Indiana Janes: Female Archaeologists Then and Now Course objectives: This class wil... more Course title: Indiana Janes: Female Archaeologists Then and Now Course objectives: This class will serve to introduce students to archaeological concepts, including principles of excavation, and give a very brief overview of archaeological theory, while concentrating on women's contributions to early archaeology and their current and continuing involvement in the science. The course materials will be drawn from modern theory, popular writings, and fiction. At the end of the course, students should be able to identify various stages of excavation, critically engage with theorists and authors in the field, and demonstrate their awareness of current gender based trends in archaeology.
This book examines how science fiction’s portrayal of humanity’s desire for robotic companions in... more This book examines how science fiction’s portrayal of humanity’s desire for robotic companions influences and reflects changes in our actual desires. It begins by taking the reader on a journey that outlines basic human desires—in short, we are storytellers, and we need the objects of our desire to be able to mirror that aspect of our beings. This not only explains the reasons we seek out differences in our mates, but also why we crave sex and romance with robots. In creating a new species of potential companions, science fiction highlights what we already want and how our desires dictate—and are in return recreated— by what is written. But sex with robots is more than a sci-fi pop-culture phenomenon; it’s a driving force in the latest technological advances in cybernetic science. As such, this book looks at both what we imagine and what we can create in terms of the newest iterations of robotic companionship.