Feminism Against Progress

'An exhilarating read' – New Statesman

Feminism Against Progress by Mary Harrington presents a compelling argument about the unintended consequences of the industrial-era faith in progress. Harrington contends that women’s liberation was not primarily driven by human moral progress but was instead a byproduct of the material changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution.

Key Themes Explored:

• The Age of AI and Biotech:
  As society transitions from the industrial era into the age of AI, biotechnology, and pervasive computing, technology increasingly frees humanity from natural limits and embodied sex differences.
• Impact on Women:
  While these advancements benefit a small class of successful professional women, Harrington highlights the darker implications, including the commodification of women’s bodies, human intimacy, and female reproductive abilities.

A Stark Warning for the Future:

Harrington warns of a dystopian reality where poor women may face exploitation as mere sources of body parts or rented wombs for the wealthy. She argues that progress has ceased to serve the majority of women, advocating for a feminism that is sceptical of progress itself as the only way to protect female interests in the 21st century.