Patricia Rhonella Vivar December 7, 2023

2020-12318 MMS 111 Midterms

The Pod Generation (2023)

Human existence would not be possible without the process of pregnancy – wherein
woman bear the responsibility of childbirth. However, what if this biological process
could be manipulated by science? The Pod Generation is a Sci-Fi movie released
August this year wherein house chores are assisted by an AI and pregnancy can be
outsourced to an artificial womb. Mainly, this is a movie highlighting the modern life of
a married couple with different life perspectives due to their environment. Alvy, as a
botany professor, wants to conceive a baby in a traditional approach but in the hustle of
the modern world, who can spare time for traditional ways? Her wife, Rachel, working
under pressure as a corporate executive, opted to choose a “pod pregnancy”. The fetus
will grow inside a large plastic egg through vitro fertilization, making it possible to
nurture a life in an artificial womb - a womb that is handy and portable. With this, both of
them can share equal duties with fostering the womb, by installing a shared application
that notifies them when the womb needs feeding and cuddling.

While it is still possible to conceive a baby through intercourse, women are aiming to be
waitlisted in the womb center for the opportunity to achieve parenthood without
compromising other aspects of their lives with the “Pod”. This aligns with the New
Woman concept, challenging conventional gender roles and domestic norms, the
portrayal of 'career women' who lead lives beyond the household, enjoying personal
freedom, mobility, and active participation in the workforce (Baldo, 2015). Woman in this
movie see it as a privilege to have a chance to conceive in an AI way.

The reason why I chose to discuss this movie is because it triggers the concept of
Feminist Posthumanist Theory, it questions fixed gender roles and explores the impact
of technology on identity that is relevant today. For instance, the term “independent
woman” become a trend emphasizing women whom prioritize career before
motherhood, whereas in the movie, husbands can carry along the artificial womb, or be
placed on a table, in contrast to traditional pregnancy where woman are destined to
carry the child on her for 9 months. Meaning to say, husbands and wives can share
similar duties in nurturing the fetus. Kathi Weeks, a feminist theorist and professor,
argues that women and men are engage in diverse labor practices, challenging the
traditional notion of distinct gender roles. Additionally, it challenges the idea that
pregnancy inevitably disrupts a woman’s lifestyle and aspirations. Throughout the entire
pregnancy, from first trimester up to it’s due, woman are free from possible PMS or
other pregnancy-related challenges.

Moreover, In Haraway’s manifesto, she mentioned cyborgs – a symbolic representation

of the fusion between machine and organism. Haraway describe modern humans as
“chimeras”, a hybrid of technology and bilogy. Whereas, in the movie, Rachel has her
so called “AI therapist” which whom she asks for advice whether to conceive in
traditional way or grab the “pod pregnancy” opportunity. Technology has not only
influenced human, hence, it builds up and become part of human knowledge, reasoning
and experience. The movie is in line with cyberfeminism that challenges traditional
gender norms and advocate inclusivity such as suggesting that forming connections
based on shared interests might be more relevant.

Overall, The Pod Generation doesn’t focus on one gender, but gave the viewers a
glimpse of what can a world where gender distinctions cease to exist. It is in line with
Cyberfeminism and Feminist Posthumanist Theory that shares a common ground
between gender and technology. However, I disagree with the fact that biological
gender role are being manipulated just to “equalize” everything in between binary.
Technically speaking, gender is intended to give us distinct experiences, although us,
humans, tend to be curious about the experience of others, manipulating reproduction
process especially utilizing artificial womb, although supported by these theories and
concept, is unethical.
References:

Martins, L. (2014) Privilege and Oppression: Towards a Feminist Speculative Design, in

Lim, Y., Niedderer, K., Redström, J., Stolterman, E. and Valtonen, A. (eds.), Design's
Big Debates - DRS International Conference 2014, 16-19 June, Umeå, Sweden.
https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/drs-conferencepapers/drs2014/researchpapers/75

Haraway, D. (1991). A Cyborg Manifesto: Science, Technology, and Socialist-Feminism

in the Late Twentieth Century. In Simians, Cyborgs, and Women (pp. 150–180).
Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203873106