Art Quote by Studs Terkel
“I'm not a Luddite completely; I believe in refrigerators to cool my martinis, and washing machines because I hate to see women smacking their laundry against a rock. When I hear about hardware, I think of pots and pans, and when I hear about software, I think of sheets and towels.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Reflections on Technology and Gender, 1970
The speaker differentiates between hardware (physical tools) and software (intangible processes), using domestic chores to illustrate gendered perceptions of technology.
In simple terms: Hardware is tangible; software is abstract.
Key Takeaway
Challenge gender stereotypes in tech.
Themes
technology
gender
domestic life
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
sociological
cultural
When to use this quote
- marketing
- education
- product design
Key Concepts
stereotypes
tool metaphor
social roles
Questions to Reflect On
- How can language reshape tech perception?
- What alternatives avoid gendered analogies?
A Different Perspective
Tech metaphors can reinforce gender bias.
