Feminism, the Body, and the Machine
Berry describes the feminist responses to the fact that his wife helps him by typing his essays. Implicitly they say that she would be liberated if she worked outside the home. He points out the soul deadening nature of much (perhaps all) work and that we are all underlings, some lower, some higher.”The problem is not just exploitation of women by men. A greater problem is that women and men alike are consenting to an economy that exploits women and men and everything else.” “… The orthodox assumption of the industrial economy—that the only help worth giving is not given at all, but sold.”
“Technological progress” may not be progress at all. In fact, statistics use to prove progress never discuss the negative effects. In general, it has produced a social and ecological decline. “After several generation of 'technological progress,' in fact, we have become a people who cannot then about anything important.” The higher aims of “technological progress” are money and ease. If one’s motive is love of family, community, country, and God, then some innovations maybe need to deemed undesirable.
Berry talks about his decision to not use a computer when he writes and how that improves his writing and frees him to write anywhere. He ponders where to draw the line on technology and doesn’t give a clear answer except to say draw it when it is clear.