Feminist STS

For most of my life, I feel that people have been categorised into two categories. People who are interested in maths and science, and then there are people who are interested in art and music. Are you left brained or right brained? Do you support Western epistemic knowledge that is modern and based on empirical evidence and “rational” thought? Or do you support African epistemology that is more holistic, spiritistic and traditional? One thing that has always been certain is that science and the social sciences and technology and culture have always been positioned as two diametrically opposed conceptions. Every conception that is scientific and technological exists in a mutually exclusive space from what is traditional and cultural.  These contrasting and sometimes combative concepts are reminiscent of a subject that I am extremely passionate about. I am extremely passionate about the preservation of African languages, cultures, traditional practices, and knowledge systems. As I o...

The Renaissance of Noise Since the history of music is as old as humanity itself, in a lot of ways we forget to stop and consider the fact that yes sound has developed and changed through time, but how has the evolution of sound acted as a proponent for things like technological advancements and human interaction? ‘ The Wickedest Sound ’ tells a compelling story of how from the streets of Jamaica the literal presence of sound and music cultivated spaces for social gathering, business, competition, romance and other facets of the community surrounding it (18:08 - 18:48). This isn’t unlike the use of clubs or concerts in today’s age that creates the circumstances for individuals to engage based on shared interests and maybe let off some steam. But the sound isn’t just treble clefs and quarter notes on a music sheet, it’s the stomping of feet and clapping of hands used by ancient civilizations to tell stories, it’s the use of rhythm in Islamic prayers and recitations of the Quran and it’s...