What do you think?
Rate this book
The Smart Wife: Why Siri, Alexa, and Other Smart Home Devices Need a Feminist Reboot
The life and times of the Smart Wife—feminized digital assistants who are friendly and sometimes flirty, occasionally glitchy but perpetually available. Meet the Smart Wife—at your service, an eclectic collection of feminized AI, robotic, and smart devices. This digital assistant is friendly and sometimes flirty, docile and efficient, occasionally glitchy but perpetually available. She might go by Siri, or Alexa, or inhabit Google Home. She can keep us company, order groceries, vacuum the floor, turn out the lights. A Japanese digital voice assistant—a virtual anime hologram named Hikari Azuma—sends her “master” helpful messages during the day; an American sexbot named Roxxxy takes on other kinds of household chores. In The Smart Wife , Yolande Strengers and Jenny Kennedy examine the emergence of digital devices that carry out “wifework”—domestic responsibilities that have traditionally fallen to (human) wives. They show that the principal prototype for these virtual helpers—designed in male-dominated industries—is the 1950s white, middle class, heteronormative, and nurturing, with a spick-and-span home. It's time, they say, to give the Smart Wife a reboot. What's wrong with preferring domestic assistants with feminine personalities? We like our assistants to conform to gender stereotypes—so what? For one thing, Strengers and Kennedy remind us, the design of gendered devices re-inscribes those outdated and unfounded stereotypes. Advanced technology is taking us backwards on gender equity. Strengers and Kennedy offer a Smart Wife “manifesta,” proposing a rebooted Smart Wife that would promote a revaluing of femininity in society in all her glorious diversity.
312 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2020
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 16, 2020
I just might need a reboot myself after reading this one.
I think you can best describe this book as half research, half manifesto. There is a tremendous amount of notes in this book, it almost makes it hard to read for me. Some of the research and information the authors pulled together is fascinating and enlightening but at some point, it reads as if they are just droning on the same point over and over. I guess it is sort of needed to make their point and because all the tech shares the same faults.
It's interesting to read about all the tech that is out there, but how it is formed to traditional female roles, a 1950's ideal housewife type. I never think about my smart tech that way, but I guess you could.
I found that this was like reading a study book, it wasn't necessarily what I was expecting. I thought it'd be more social commentary and a lot less scientific. It has interesting outcomes and certainly opened my eyes to some things, but it wasn't the nicest read.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
I think you can best describe this book as half research, half manifesto. There is a tremendous amount of notes in this book, it almost makes it hard to read for me. Some of the research and information the authors pulled together is fascinating and enlightening but at some point, it reads as if they are just droning on the same point over and over. I guess it is sort of needed to make their point and because all the tech shares the same faults.
It's interesting to read about all the tech that is out there, but how it is formed to traditional female roles, a 1950's ideal housewife type. I never think about my smart tech that way, but I guess you could.
I found that this was like reading a study book, it wasn't necessarily what I was expecting. I thought it'd be more social commentary and a lot less scientific. It has interesting outcomes and certainly opened my eyes to some things, but it wasn't the nicest read.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
April 16, 2021
Sam's review is exactly how I feel ~ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I have to add, listening to this as an audiobook felt very ~meta~ I wonder if the narrator's robotic sounding voice was an artistic choice.
I have to add, listening to this as an audiobook felt very ~meta~ I wonder if the narrator's robotic sounding voice was an artistic choice.
January 21, 2021
It was okay, nothing spectacular. The book has a fantastic introduction that provides a lot of food for thought about the role of consumer technology in our homes, but seems to lose focus and become prescriptive in later chapters.
Parts I liked:
-The authors drew a connection between Rosie and The Jetsons in the 1950s and robot vacuums today. She represents an unattainable ideal for designers: the smart wife who does the housework, takes care of the children, cooks, and does it all efficiently and without complaint.
-Repeated emphasis on the fact that lots of smart wives don’t actually work that well or are “solutions in search of problems” (28). Example: a vacuum robot needing a clutter-free floor or a washing machine-dryer all-in-one appliance that you can program from your phone (but takes 6-8 hours to do a single load).
-the contrast between home technology maintenance being a male domain, but also that this housework isn’t tracked as housework by international surveys (see also: mental load cartoon “You should’ve asked” by French cartoonist Emma)
-the excerpts from industry insiders about marketing to women—they also discussed privacy implications here, which deserved its own chapter.
Parts I liked less:
-the ecofeminist chapter: yes, we’re using a lot of energy to sustain cloud technologies, there’s tons of e-waste, and we’re exploring rare earths. However, eco feminism deserves more than a passing mention. I would have liked to see this chapter’s ideas either woven throughout the book or expanded upon.
-requiring enthusiastic consent from a robot. I disagree with the authors on this point, but the argument was well supported. On the other hand, ensuring that people can’t speak badly or physically damage their smart wives and still expect them to carry out commands as normal seems reasonable and just.
-the overly broad definition of a smart wife/queering smart wives as a solution: I don’t have a problem with the proposed changes in form factors and roles, but the concept of a smart wife falls apart if any consumer electronic can be considered one. Similarly, I’m not sure discussing gender in such strict terms helps the authors’ cause.
-the tone shift at the end of the book to a manifesta. (Note: not manifesto). It was ideological in a way that I wasn’t expecting. I wanted a more consistent tone throughout the book.
Parts I liked:
-The authors drew a connection between Rosie and The Jetsons in the 1950s and robot vacuums today. She represents an unattainable ideal for designers: the smart wife who does the housework, takes care of the children, cooks, and does it all efficiently and without complaint.
-Repeated emphasis on the fact that lots of smart wives don’t actually work that well or are “solutions in search of problems” (28). Example: a vacuum robot needing a clutter-free floor or a washing machine-dryer all-in-one appliance that you can program from your phone (but takes 6-8 hours to do a single load).
-the contrast between home technology maintenance being a male domain, but also that this housework isn’t tracked as housework by international surveys (see also: mental load cartoon “You should’ve asked” by French cartoonist Emma)
-the excerpts from industry insiders about marketing to women—they also discussed privacy implications here, which deserved its own chapter.
Parts I liked less:
-the ecofeminist chapter: yes, we’re using a lot of energy to sustain cloud technologies, there’s tons of e-waste, and we’re exploring rare earths. However, eco feminism deserves more than a passing mention. I would have liked to see this chapter’s ideas either woven throughout the book or expanded upon.
-requiring enthusiastic consent from a robot. I disagree with the authors on this point, but the argument was well supported. On the other hand, ensuring that people can’t speak badly or physically damage their smart wives and still expect them to carry out commands as normal seems reasonable and just.
-the overly broad definition of a smart wife/queering smart wives as a solution: I don’t have a problem with the proposed changes in form factors and roles, but the concept of a smart wife falls apart if any consumer electronic can be considered one. Similarly, I’m not sure discussing gender in such strict terms helps the authors’ cause.
-the tone shift at the end of the book to a manifesta. (Note: not manifesto). It was ideological in a way that I wasn’t expecting. I wanted a more consistent tone throughout the book.
June 19, 2024
This is an excellent interrogation of the "smart wife" phenomenon, examining history (including prototypical "speaking statue" installations in Italy many years ago that listened to people to feed information to oligarchs), popular culture, marketing, gender dynamics, and many other facets. The authors are engaging and the text moves fluidly without being scattershot or capricious.
I was especially appreciative of the nine proposals in the final chapter for a "smart wife reboot". The authors make clear it's not about making smart wives sound feminist, but giving them different kinds of existence that help manifest feminist realities. Enough with the tired comparisons of robot will to SkyNet or ED-209. What other possibilities could we dream up, and how could we make those more likely?
This book isn't for everybody — it's heavy on theory and research at times — but the writing style is very accessible and it's a very important book about these software (and, often, hardware) developments that are becoming more and more ubiquitous.
I was especially appreciative of the nine proposals in the final chapter for a "smart wife reboot". The authors make clear it's not about making smart wives sound feminist, but giving them different kinds of existence that help manifest feminist realities. Enough with the tired comparisons of robot will to SkyNet or ED-209. What other possibilities could we dream up, and how could we make those more likely?
This book isn't for everybody — it's heavy on theory and research at times — but the writing style is very accessible and it's a very important book about these software (and, often, hardware) developments that are becoming more and more ubiquitous.
February 24, 2022
While the book touches on many important points on the intersection of feminism and "smart wife" technology, the whole thing is read like a long academic paper. Maybe that's why it was hard to finish the book and come back to the previous chapters after some pause in reading.
Also, although the list of many facts and research works in the end is huge (which is great), I felt like the main question was still left not that answered. As if the plot was jumping from one thing to another, throwing complex/domain-specific words in between, but not really fully explaining that chapter's main topic.
Nevertheless, I still consider it a good book on the very niche topic. Also, learned interesting connections, like Bezos owning Washington Post (which will become an additional filter during further reading their posts/articles).
Also, although the list of many facts and research works in the end is huge (which is great), I felt like the main question was still left not that answered. As if the plot was jumping from one thing to another, throwing complex/domain-specific words in between, but not really fully explaining that chapter's main topic.
Nevertheless, I still consider it a good book on the very niche topic. Also, learned interesting connections, like Bezos owning Washington Post (which will become an additional filter during further reading their posts/articles).
March 29, 2021
Un libro interessante anche se un po' lungo e con qualche divagazione di troppo.
Il titolo può essere un pochino fuorviante in quanto si limita a focalizzarsi sulla trattazione "femminista" mentre il libro affronta una serie di problematiche più ampie che spaziano dalla privacy, alla sostenibilità alle conseguenze di uns svolta verso le AIs e la gender equality.
Interessante e argomentato ma poco scorrevole. Molti argomenti vengono ripetuti ed alcuni capitoli sono poco legati l'uno con l'altro.
Sicuramente un interessante spunto di riflessione che spinge ad accettare gli assistenti virtuali con un pizzico di spirito critico.
Il titolo può essere un pochino fuorviante in quanto si limita a focalizzarsi sulla trattazione "femminista" mentre il libro affronta una serie di problematiche più ampie che spaziano dalla privacy, alla sostenibilità alle conseguenze di uns svolta verso le AIs e la gender equality.
Interessante e argomentato ma poco scorrevole. Molti argomenti vengono ripetuti ed alcuni capitoli sono poco legati l'uno con l'altro.
Sicuramente un interessante spunto di riflessione che spinge ad accettare gli assistenti virtuali con un pizzico di spirito critico.
November 21, 2025
This was fine. It kind of had one really good point, that the development of smart devices to be gender coded reinforces negative stereotypes about that gender (typically women), and it spends a ton of time repeating that point in cyclical ways. There's nothing super groundbreaking in their insights, but it is useful context to keep in mind regarding the development of smart technology, especially since AI is on the rise and people keep ignoring the problematic nature of being dependent on these technologies developed with little awareness about the harmful impacts of the gendered stereotypes being programmed into these features.
June 22, 2021
The Smart Wife asks questions .. lots of important questions. Why is the default voice of home devices female? It seems an innocuous question but it takes you a long way into our basic societal assumptions. And the questions just keep coming and keep being explored. And yet, reading this book (exceedingly well researched) is also fun and fascinating. I read it with pencil in hand and will be revisiting it ... often. This is a book to spark discussion and thought. Perfect book club material and an important exploration into our everyday lives.
February 26, 2023
This wasn’t really a book that I would seek out for myself (was recommended it by a colleague for my PhD) but i thought provided a good overview of the issues at play within automated decision making and gender in a broadly accessible manner.
The bit I most enjoyed was the manifesto at the end, which drew on different practices and strategies by feminist and queer organisations and individuals .
The bit I most enjoyed was the manifesto at the end, which drew on different practices and strategies by feminist and queer organisations and individuals .
August 28, 2020
It's an interesting read, full of food for thought and ideas. I found some part quite engrossing and some part a bit dull, more like research notes.
Siri/Alexa are disembodied female voices and I appreciated the ideas and how it reflect on our way of life and gender roles.
I recommend it.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Siri/Alexa are disembodied female voices and I appreciated the ideas and how it reflect on our way of life and gender roles.
I recommend it.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
September 30, 2020
Really quite liked it!
There was some fascinating insights into some of these everyday technologies I had never considered, and the balance of information without getting overwhelmed was just right.
In addition, I loved some of the humour - laugh out loud moments I had definately not expected!
Definite recommend.
There was some fascinating insights into some of these everyday technologies I had never considered, and the balance of information without getting overwhelmed was just right.
In addition, I loved some of the humour - laugh out loud moments I had definately not expected!
Definite recommend.
January 26, 2023
Whilst the book deals with a serious issue that deserves more consideration in tech, it could have been more concise in its summation of the contributing dilemmas and consequences of the feminisation of “helper tech”.
Currently Reading
January 20, 2022303.483 S9157 2020
May 20, 2026
本書引發了我的吐槽小劇場，導致我看不完。
我覺得他走火入魔了。
我覺得他走火入魔了。
January 4, 2021
I received an ARC of this book thanks to NetGalley and publisher MIT Press in exchange for an honest review.
The Smart Wife was a little disappointing to me. It looks at the concept of 'smart wives' through a feminist and sociological lens, discussing the implication of giving devices such as Alexa female voices. I found the idea of this fascinating as it's not something I've really thought about before and that in itself indicates how it is worthy of analysis. Why should robot servants have primarily female voices? And why don't people question it?
Sadly this book didn't really discuss these elements beyond the surface level. I appreciate that there haven't been any studies or detailed experiments about this topic, but the book felt a bit empty without those. I was looking forward to finding out what the public opinion was on these devices and whether those with a female voice are viewed differently or not, but there is almost nothing of that nature included. Instead there is some speculation but the bulk of the book seems to just be discussing different devices without much of the feminist angle applied beyond the basic concept of 'these devices are sexist'.
One chapter I did particularly enjoy was the section on sex robots. This did go into deeper discussion and I think it was the best chapter because of that. It explored some frankly quite disheartening statistics and what these might mean for the wider world. It was well-crafted, informative and gave me a lot to think about.
Overall, I think this book has a lot of promise but sadly it didn't do exactly what I expected it to. It lacked that depth to really hold my interest, but I think it is a fantastic introduction to the topic and I look forward to what else the authors (and other researchers) will do in this area. If you are intrigued by the subject matter, this is still well worth the read. Just be aware of its limits and enjoy it for what it is.
Overall Rating: 4/5 stars
The Smart Wife was a little disappointing to me. It looks at the concept of 'smart wives' through a feminist and sociological lens, discussing the implication of giving devices such as Alexa female voices. I found the idea of this fascinating as it's not something I've really thought about before and that in itself indicates how it is worthy of analysis. Why should robot servants have primarily female voices? And why don't people question it?
Sadly this book didn't really discuss these elements beyond the surface level. I appreciate that there haven't been any studies or detailed experiments about this topic, but the book felt a bit empty without those. I was looking forward to finding out what the public opinion was on these devices and whether those with a female voice are viewed differently or not, but there is almost nothing of that nature included. Instead there is some speculation but the bulk of the book seems to just be discussing different devices without much of the feminist angle applied beyond the basic concept of 'these devices are sexist'.
One chapter I did particularly enjoy was the section on sex robots. This did go into deeper discussion and I think it was the best chapter because of that. It explored some frankly quite disheartening statistics and what these might mean for the wider world. It was well-crafted, informative and gave me a lot to think about.
Overall, I think this book has a lot of promise but sadly it didn't do exactly what I expected it to. It lacked that depth to really hold my interest, but I think it is a fantastic introduction to the topic and I look forward to what else the authors (and other researchers) will do in this area. If you are intrigued by the subject matter, this is still well worth the read. Just be aware of its limits and enjoy it for what it is.
Overall Rating: 4/5 stars
September 27, 2022
The Smart Wife by Jenny Kennedy and Yolande Strengers examines smart home devices and asks: do these increasingly prevalent digital assistants need a feminist reboot? What is wrong with the fact that most of these AI enabled devices are feminine, performing traditionally female tasks with a friendly, sometimes flirty, demeanour? What effect is this gendered approach to smart devices having on our society more broadly, and how harmful is the fact that these technologies are mostly designed by men, for men? It is an interesting and thought-provoking look at the way that a piece of technology that many of us will buy without a second thought is perpetuating harmful gender stereotypes in a way which is taking us backwards as a society.
•
There is a lot of information in this book, as the authors examine different types of smart devices – from digital home assistants like Alexa and Siri to Robovacs and sexbots – and examine exactly how they are each re-inscribing outdated gendered stereotypes. I did find it a little dry at times – maybe I’m not quite the right audience for this one, as I personally think that all of society needs a feminist reboot, not just technology, so I didn’t need convincing – but it was interesting to read the authors’ proposals on how this technology might be “rebooted” to revalue femininity in society in a way which could actually advance our collective thinking. I would have loved less reporting on facts, and more analysis of those facts.
•
Having said that, I would still recommend checking this one out if you are interested in the intersection between feminism and technology, and especially if non-fiction is your thing.
This book was kindly gifted to me by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Follow me on Instagram for more: www.instagram.com/katie.reads.things
•
There is a lot of information in this book, as the authors examine different types of smart devices – from digital home assistants like Alexa and Siri to Robovacs and sexbots – and examine exactly how they are each re-inscribing outdated gendered stereotypes. I did find it a little dry at times – maybe I’m not quite the right audience for this one, as I personally think that all of society needs a feminist reboot, not just technology, so I didn’t need convincing – but it was interesting to read the authors’ proposals on how this technology might be “rebooted” to revalue femininity in society in a way which could actually advance our collective thinking. I would have loved less reporting on facts, and more analysis of those facts.
•
Having said that, I would still recommend checking this one out if you are interested in the intersection between feminism and technology, and especially if non-fiction is your thing.
This book was kindly gifted to me by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Follow me on Instagram for more: www.instagram.com/katie.reads.things
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews