An Alternative Owner's Manual for Alexa

This essay compilation by Rebecca Ricks and Zoe Bachman reflects on the prevalence of smart assistants and the concerning attachments people develop towards them. Interspersed with photography by Katrina Peterson of different smart assistant devices, the essays touch on the human attributes we prescribe towards assistants like Alexa and how they can comfort users when lonely or coping with grief. Despite this comfort, Alexa's feminine name and voice can contribute to the dehumanization of women and encourage transactional behaviors towards them. Their reflective questions encourage readers to reconsider their relationship to their devices and reflect on better ways to approach smart assistants. — Nayla Delgado