Sexualities and technologies: How vibrators help to explain computers

In this article, I stress the importance of focusing on sexualities in critical analyses of computer technologies. Using the example of late nineteenth and early twentieth century vibrators, I demonstrate that by studying historically remote, predigital technologies, students can develop the language and analytical skills needed to interrogate the mutual construction of sexualities and computer technologies. Furthermore, I argue that examining the intersections of sexualities and computer technologies is especially important in networked computer classrooms where students’ sexual identities and concepts of sexuality not only shape interactions with peers and with technologies but can determine the quality of the educational experience for all.