Lest We Think the Revolution is a Revolution Summary

Lest We Think the Revolution is a Revolution
Summary

In this rather interesting essay by Cynthia L. Selfe, “Lest We Think the Revolution is a Revolution,” she cunningly addresses the on going issue, is technology really helping us ? Is it delivering what it promises, to better our lives? She addresses technology advertisements with three different, yet similar narratives: it is the second one I would like to comment on. (p301-305) In this narrative she wishes to show how technology advertisements were, or are, bringing the message that electronic technology will deliver a “land of equal opportunity” to everyone no matter their gender, race, or class. The main point that she is trying to make is that these advertisements are absolutely contradicting themselves. These ads promise a “ a land of equal opportunity,” but in reality these ads are only showing how electronic technology is helping uppercase white people; there are no African American, Natives or poor people in these ads. She seems to be saying that these ad are not promoting a “ a land of equal opportunity,” but are promoting ‘innovation, individualism, and competition’ with fellow Americans or even the world. They are promoting a “land of difference” with these ads rather than a “land of equal opportunity. Selfe explains it best herself, “All these things remind us that opportunity is a commodity generally limited to privileged groups within this country” (p304).This is clearly evident today where as is the saying, “ the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.” So much for equal opportunity for everyone! It is certainly not seen in these ads. These ads are not making us better with their technology, but are causing us to stay stuck in our old runts of individualism, innovation, and competition.
Matt