Category Archives: Feminism and Technology

James Grimmelmann, “Copyright, Technology, and Access to the Law”

An Opinionated Primer that provides an excellent overview of current copyright issues concerning access to laws for intelligent people who have inexplicably failed to devote their lives to the study of copyright law. Via Laboratorium, via Froomkin. –Ann Bartow

Share
Posted in Academia, Feminism and Technology, Legal Profession | Comments Off on James Grimmelmann, “Copyright, Technology, and Access to the Law”

Stop Violence against Women website looking for volunteers!

The Advocates for Human Rights is seeking volunteers to create content for a website that is accessed by people all over the world. The Stop Violence against Women website (StopVAW) is an online resource with more than 4,000 pages of … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Acts of Violence, Feminism and Law, Feminism and Technology, Women's Health | Comments Off on Stop Violence against Women website looking for volunteers!

Are Blogs Bad News?

Law profs Cass Sunstein and Eugene Volokh debate this here.

Share
Posted in Academia, Blog Administration, Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on Are Blogs Bad News?

Ann Bartow, “Pornography, Coercion, and Copyright Law 2.0”

Abstract: The lack of regulation of the production of pornography in the United States leaves pornography performers exposed to substantial risks. Producers of pornography typically respond to attempts to regulate pornography as infringements upon free speech. At the same time, … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Coerced Sex, Feminism and Law, Feminism and Technology, Feminist Legal Scholarship | Comments Off on Ann Bartow, “Pornography, Coercion, and Copyright Law 2.0”

“Free Speech & the Menace of Hysteria”

I recently returned from a conference where one of the panels I spoke on concerned “hate speech” and the other addressed related topics. The audience skewed heavily libertarian, but the conversations sparked by the panels still seemed fairly productive. However, … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Acts of Violence, Blog Administration, Feminism and Law, Feminism and Technology | 2 Comments

“UK FEMINIST BLOGGERS”

Looks like a very cool new Google group.

Share
Posted in Feminism and Technology, Feminist Blogs Of Interest, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on “UK FEMINIST BLOGGERS”

On Gender and Science

Echidne has a great post here unpacking the sexism infusing this article which argues that women just “self select” away from science. Below is an excerpt (but go read the whole thing): … To see what stinks in all this, … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Academia, Feminism and Technology, Feminists in Academia, The Underrepresentation of Women | Comments Off on On Gender and Science

Worldmapper

Allison at Economic Woman gives an overview here of the Worldmapper website, writing in part: A number of maps reflect the status of women around the globe. To get a sense of where the wage gap is widest, flip between … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Academia, Feminism and Technology, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on Worldmapper

Teenager Makes Rape Accusation Via YouTube Because She Says No One Else Will Listen

Whoa. Jezebel has the story and the clip.

Share
Posted in Acts of Violence, Coerced Sex, Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on Teenager Makes Rape Accusation Via YouTube Because She Says No One Else Will Listen

Conference May 23rd in NYC: New Dilemmas in Medicine

Conference: New Dilemmas in Medicine, co-hosted by the IHEU-Appignani Bioethics Center & Bioethics International Where: 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd Fl., New York, NY When: May 23, 2008 9.30 am – 7.00 pm Topics include: “To Have the Best Child … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Technology, Upcoming Conferences, Women's Health | Comments Off on Conference May 23rd in NYC: New Dilemmas in Medicine

“Facebook, the world’s second-largest social networking Web site, is adding more than 40 new safeguards to protect young users from sexual predators and cyberbullies, attorneys general from several states said Thursday.”

That is the first sentence from this article, which also notes in pertinent part: The changes include banning convicted sex offenders from the site, limiting older users’ ability to search online for subscribers under 18 and joining an existing task … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on “Facebook, the world’s second-largest social networking Web site, is adding more than 40 new safeguards to protect young users from sexual predators and cyberbullies, attorneys general from several states said Thursday.”

There is an “Anarchafeminist Channel” on YouTube.

Here. Via Screaming Into The Void.

Share
Posted in Feminism and Technology, Feminist Blogs Of Interest | Comments Off on There is an “Anarchafeminist Channel” on YouTube.

“Data show extent of sexism in physics”

Experiment at Fermilab gave women fewer opportunities to present at conferences. Women are poorly represented in physics, making up just 10% of faculty in the United States, for example, but the reasons for this have proved contentious. Now a particle … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Technology, The Underrepresentation of Women | Comments Off on “Data show extent of sexism in physics”

“Women’s bodies: Just like open-source software!”

A friend sent me links to posts describing sci-fi/tech conferences in which a group of men went around asking the women in attendance whether they could touch their breasts. Yes I am aware of how strange that sounds. Rather than … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Technology, The Underrepresentation of Women | Comments Off on “Women’s bodies: Just like open-source software!”

Alison Stein on “Women Lawyers Blog for Workplace Equality: Blogging as a Feminist Legal Method”

Alison I. Stein (J.D. Candidate, University of Pennsylvania Law School) has posted to ssrn her article, “Women Lawyers Blog for Workplace Equality:   Blogging as a Feminist Legal Method.”   Here is the abstract: Legal scholars and academic commentators have … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Technology, Feminist Legal Scholarship, Legal Profession | Comments Off on Alison Stein on “Women Lawyers Blog for Workplace Equality: Blogging as a Feminist Legal Method”

“Person on the Street” Interviewer Describes Significant Differences Between Women and Men

Her observations can be viewed here at Mob Logic TV. I think there are valid reasons that women fear media exposure and the mockery (or worse) that may follow, but an unwillingness to take risks does keep us less visible.

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Feminism and Technology, Sexism in the Media | Comments Off on “Person on the Street” Interviewer Describes Significant Differences Between Women and Men

Lecture by Prof. Ben Barres on “the obstacles faced by women in academic science and what individuals and institutions can do to increase opportunities in the sciences for women.”

Viewable (with RealPlayer) here. From the related website: Professor Barres brings a unique perspective to this discussion: Professor Barres is transgender, and has experienced life as both a female and as a male scientist. His seminal article in the Journal … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Academia, Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on Lecture by Prof. Ben Barres on “the obstacles faced by women in academic science and what individuals and institutions can do to increase opportunities in the sciences for women.”

Newsweek/Surrogacy II

Yesterday I noted the current Newsweek cover story on surrogacy. Here’s a bit more to think about in that regard. I’m prepared to assume that the practice of surrogacy is useful. (Even if I weren’t, I’d have to acknowledge it … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on Newsweek/Surrogacy II

Still More Misogyny

This time from spoiled rich kids at a private high school in NYC. In about five years, give or take, some of them will be enrolling in law schools, but hopefully not mine. Via Jezebel. –Ann Bartow

Share
Posted in Feminism and Culture, Feminism and Technology, Sociolinguistics | Comments Off on Still More Misogyny

Surrogacy on the Cover of Newsweek

In yet another sign that there’s a resurgence of interest in this topic, surrogacy is the cover story in this week’s Newsweek magazine. Interestingly, the focus is on the women who are surrogates. I think this consistent with recent press … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on Surrogacy on the Cover of Newsweek

“Nipple Rings, Respect and the Undertreatment of Women’s Pain”

Really interesting post by this name by Jennifer Bard at the Women’s Bioethics Project blog.

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics, Feminism and Technology, Feminist Blogs Of Interest, Women's Health | Comments Off on “Nipple Rings, Respect and the Undertreatment of Women’s Pain”

District Court Rules State “Right of Publicity” and “False Designation of Origin” claims are NOT barred by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act

This decision provides a mechanism for the victim of social networking bad actors to pursue a claim for damages against the site hosting the damaging material. A media account of the suit, captioned Jane Doe v. Friendfinder Network, Inc., explains: … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on District Court Rules State “Right of Publicity” and “False Designation of Origin” claims are NOT barred by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act

In Defense of the Social-Networking Profs

Professors in cyberspace are receiving some unflattering attention (blogged here), but being a prof on Facebook and other social networking sites does not automatically put one in the Faculty Who Share Too Much Information category. I find Facebook an easy … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Technology, Feminist Blogs Of Interest | Comments Off on In Defense of the Social-Networking Profs

Samsung applies for patent on cell phone that monitors a woman’s menstruation cycle by measuring basal body temperature (BBT).

Patent application here. The abstract: A basal body temperature (BBT) measurement method includes: measuring each distance to at least one ear canal area by emitting a pulse to a user’s ear canal; measuring a body temperature in the at least … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Technology, Women's Health | Comments Off on Samsung applies for patent on cell phone that monitors a woman’s menstruation cycle by measuring basal body temperature (BBT).

“A man accused of using a camera to take pictures under the skirt of an unsuspecting 16-year-old girl at a Tulsa store did not commit a crime, a state appeals court has ruled.”

That’s the first sentence of an article from Fox News (yes, I know, sorry) entitled “Court Drops Case of ‘Peeping Tom’ in Target; Says Victim Was Not in Private Place”, here’s the rest: The state Court of Criminal Appeals voted … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on “A man accused of using a camera to take pictures under the skirt of an unsuspecting 16-year-old girl at a Tulsa store did not commit a crime, a state appeals court has ruled.”

News in Brief–Global Surrogacy Round-up

Bits and pieces from around the globe. From the NYT a rather long story that is a recap/expansion of the outsourced surrogacy stories I’ve noted for last month or so. Lots of detail about how it works, who it serves … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on News in Brief–Global Surrogacy Round-up

“…public humiliation could play a role in suicide because ‘hopelessness is often a major risk factor, and if you’ve been publicly humiliated and your reputation has been tarnished forever, you could see how someone could become hopeless.’ Such situations … could contribute to feeling that life is unbearable. …”

That’s a short excerpt from this article in the NYT entitled “After Suicide, Blog Insults Are Debated.” Below is another: … unlike some other forms of public humiliation, online insults can live in perpetuity. Whether that increases suicide risk, Mr. … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Blog Administration, Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on “…public humiliation could play a role in suicide because ‘hopelessness is often a major risk factor, and if you’ve been publicly humiliated and your reputation has been tarnished forever, you could see how someone could become hopeless.’ Such situations … could contribute to feeling that life is unbearable. …”

Notable Internet Privacy Litigation: Curran v. Amazon.com, Inc.

Eric Goldman writes: Erik Curran was a National Guard soldier who served in “a combat zone.” For reasons unclear from this opinion, he was photographed by an unspecified photographer, and the photo (or photos) of Curran became widely republished. Erik … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on Notable Internet Privacy Litigation: Curran v. Amazon.com, Inc.

“Struggling to Squelch an Internet Rumor”

Nasty idiots can write whatever mean, false things they want, and then get their rumors and accusations into circulation on the Internet. Here’s a NYT account of this phenom.

Share
Posted in Academia, Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on “Struggling to Squelch an Internet Rumor”

“Facebook Can Ruin Your Life…”

From the Independent, excerpt below: … An American insurance company, in defending its refusal to pay out a claim, is seeking to call in evidence personal online postings, including the contents of any MySpace or Facebook pages the litigants may … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on “Facebook Can Ruin Your Life…”

Could Access To Cable Television Improve The Status of Women?

A paper entitled “The Power of TV: Cable Television and Women’s Status in India” claims so. The abstract reports: Cable and satellite television have grown rapidly throughout the developing world. The availability of cable and satellite television exposes viewers to … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Culture, Feminism and Technology, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on Could Access To Cable Television Improve The Status of Women?

News in Brief–Three Biological Parents

I’ve written about how to attachment to genetics as the primary basis for parenthood binds us to a view of two and only two parents. Increasing use of assisted reproductive technology is, however, spurring us to at least loosen that … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on News in Brief–Three Biological Parents

News in Brief: Same Melody, Different Words

This is really a variation on the theme of yesterday’s post. For some months now the House of Lords in the UK has been debating legislation that revamps British law about assisted reproductive technology (ART). (Indeed, it was in the … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Technology, LGBT Rights | Comments Off on News in Brief: Same Melody, Different Words

A Picture of A Disgusting Photographer

Can you spot him? Photo from a rather sexist celebrity site.  

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on A Picture of A Disgusting Photographer

Photographs and Contextual Integrity

From the NYT: Several gay adult Web sites have posted photographs of teenage water polo players from several high schools in Southern California, a newspaper reported. Some of the pictures, of boys as young as 14, were displayed next to … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Culture, Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on Photographs and Contextual Integrity

Twins Who Marry, II

This story has been the subject of much commentary and surely almost all is said. But this link (included in the Telegraph version of the story) reveals a different aspect of the situation, one that has a great deal to … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on Twins Who Marry, II

Embryo Adoption?

I was at the American Association of Law Schools (AALS) conference last week and there, amid all legal publishing companies and on-line search services in the Exhibitor’s Hall, was a table for something called Embryo Connection, which works with the … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Technology, Reproductive Rights, Sociolinguistics | Comments Off on Embryo Adoption?

Photographs, the Internet and Fair Use (Not The Copyright Law Kind)

Two provocative posts about the ethics of re-posting photographs at Bitch, Ph.D. Here: The camera captures your soul: What is this picture for? and here: Feminism 101: The internet is a jungle, but if you are a woman it’s a … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on Photographs, the Internet and Fair Use (Not The Copyright Law Kind)

Lack of Women in Computer Science Field

My son is home from his first trimester at the McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University.   He’s in the Computer Science department and hopes to go straight for a PhD in that field.   At dinner the other … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Academia, Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on Lack of Women in Computer Science Field

Especially For Our Alabama Readers: A Patented Process For Turning An Electric Toothbrush Into A Vibrator

U.S. Patent No. 7,186,226 is a patent for a method of making a”massage device”out of an electric toothbrush, and includes claims pertaining to a process for removing the bristles from the head of the brush (because, ouch). The patent states … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Bloggenpheffer, Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on Especially For Our Alabama Readers: A Patented Process For Turning An Electric Toothbrush Into A Vibrator

Opportunities for Legal Research: Facebook Edition

From the NY Times: Each day about 1,700 juniors at an East Coast college log on to Facebook.com to accumulate”friends,”compare movie preferences, share videos and exchange cybercocktails and kisses. Unwittingly, these students have become the subjects of academic research. To … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Culture, Feminism and Law, Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on Opportunities for Legal Research: Facebook Edition

There is a conversation about gender issues and Internet law at Concurring Opinions that might be of interest.

It’s here. –Ann Bartow

Share
Posted in Academia, Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on There is a conversation about gender issues and Internet law at Concurring Opinions that might be of interest.

“Hillary Hatred Finds Its Misogynistic Voice”

At Newhouse News Service, Jonathan Tilove writes: In the coming months, America will decide whether to elect its first female president. And amid a techno-media landscape where the wall between private vitriol and public debate has been reduced to rubble, … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Feminism and Technology, Sexism in the Media | Comments Off on “Hillary Hatred Finds Its Misogynistic Voice”

More About Anonymous Online Bullying

This ABC News article provides a lot of detail about the Myspace “hoax” that contributed to the suicide of 13 year old Megan Meier. Unlike previous accounts, it names the woman who tormented Megan in the guise of a teenaged … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Acts of Violence, Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on More About Anonymous Online Bullying

“The anonymity provided by new technology limits a victim from responding in a way that may ordinarily stop a peer’s aggressive behavior or influence the probability of future acts, which provides an advantage to the perpetrator…”

Article about online bullying   of and by teenagers here.

Share
Posted in Acts of Violence, Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on “The anonymity provided by new technology limits a victim from responding in a way that may ordinarily stop a peer’s aggressive behavior or influence the probability of future acts, which provides an advantage to the perpetrator…”

Externalities Illustrated

Today’s NYT featires an article entitled At Jets Game, a Halftime Ritual of Harassment that reports: At halftime of the Jets’ home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, several hundred men lined one of Giants Stadium’s two pedestrian ramps … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Acts of Violence, Feminism and Technology, Sociolinguistics | Comments Off on Externalities Illustrated

Allen on “The Case for Cyberfeminism”

Feminist Law Prof Anita L. Allen (Penn) has posted to SSRN her essay  “A Dialogue Among Dolls: The Case for Cyberfeminism.”   Here is the abstract:       Four dolls, two plastic and two biological are seated around a … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Technology, Feminist Legal Scholarship | Comments Off on Allen on “The Case for Cyberfeminism”

One Very Sad Story About Internet Anonymity and Mean Assholishness

Here. A follow up article at Wired contemplates the newspaper’s decision to “protect the privacy” of the accused bad actors here.

Share
Posted in Acts of Violence, Feminism and Technology, Women's Health | Comments Off on One Very Sad Story About Internet Anonymity and Mean Assholishness

“Federal Judge Orders Anti-Abortion Extremist to Remove Threats to Clinic Staff from Website”

From Law.com: A federal judge ordered an anti-abortion activist to remove Web site postings that authorities said exhorted readers to kill an abortion provider by shooting her in the head. District Court Thomas Golden granted an injunction Nov. 8 seeking … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Acts of Violence, Feminism and Law, Feminism and Technology, Women's Health | Comments Off on “Federal Judge Orders Anti-Abortion Extremist to Remove Threats to Clinic Staff from Website”

AutoAdmit Law Suit Updates

1. From Brian Leiter. 2. From Salon, via Maggie Chon.

Share
Posted in Academia, Feminism and Technology | Comments Off on AutoAdmit Law Suit Updates