I, like several people, use operating systems throughout my day. They help me get from A to B and are so sly, I am only conscious of them when I seek it out. This hardly ever happened until I took History of Digital Media, a college course offered at UCSC. Today, we live in a society that utilizes an operating systems that is supposed to outsmart them – in a charming way, of course. Need someone to wake you up? Want help with your groceries? Or, directions to that one place you went that one time? Or, maybe you need help figuring out what gift to give your SO? Or, want advice on a relationship? I know someone who can help you with all four, and they’re not even a human, just a voice, Siri. Siri’s got you covered. Siri knows everything, and if she doesn’t, you're somehow at fault. Maybe you didn’t ask the question the right way because Siri is awesome.
However, the way Siri speaks has always been quite interesting to me. Siri sounds like a woman. How is that possible, seeing as she’s an operating system?
Why are operating systems like Siri gendered? What purpose does having a female voice on the other end of the phone serve? And, what ideology does this play into?
Siri sounds like a woman, and like a 1950s housewife, knows your every need and is there at your beck and call. This plays into the sexist society we live in today. Siri, in a way, plays into sexism.
Operating systems are becoming far advanced and rely on our ideologies for further that advancement. Some systems are referenced in code, for instance, Galaxy s7; however, Siri has a human name, and it’s a somewhat girly name. Siri, being marketed with a human name, demolishes the lines between human and machinery, which makes us, as humans, feel more comfortable because she’s similar to us, and therefore, her advice or suggestions are more legitimate. If fact, I’ve been calling Siri a “she” throughout this entire article, and you probably didn’t even think to question it. Siri is your mom, your aunt, your cousin. Siri is like you. Her purpose is to disappear. Turn her advice into your actions, and she does this so smoothly because she plays into the gender binary and sexism our society is structured on. Don’t believe me? Ask yourself this: Would Siri have been as popular today had she had a black accent? A Chinese accent?
No.
If Siri belonged to a race and a gender, she’d be a white woman. In fact, she’s voiced by Susan Bennett, a white woman. White women within our society are seen as the most beautiful and important, and in this case, more intelligent. Siri, in a many ways, plays into white supremacy, as well, the notion that whiteness is better.
So, need directions to the nearest drug store? Want to know what your food is really made of? Ask Siri.
