Humanities In Session | Mark Sanders: A Will For the Machine | 16 April 2026

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The video offers valuable insights into a niche historical topic: the intersection of computerization, apartheid, and the arts in South Africa. Sanders presents a well-argued thesis, drawing on archival research and literary analysis. He connects disparate elements—early computer poetry, office fiction, and puppetry—to illustrate how automation was understood and contested. The argument is nuanced, acknowledging both the negative and positive valences of automation for different groups. The discussion with Aiden Erasmus adds depth, particularly regarding sound and technology. The argumentation is solid, though it is a book launch, so the presentation is more of an overview than a detailed defense.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

Sanders demonstrates scholarly rigor, referencing his own archival work and citing specific sources like the Live Wire magazine and the Harry Ransom Center. He acknowledges the work of other scholars (Rosalind Krauss, Rebecca Roach) and builds on them. The title accurately reflects the content, which is a discussion of his book. The video is a seminar, so it is not a peer-reviewed presentation, but the speaker’s credentials and the depth of the discussion lend credibility. The description provides context and links to the center’s website, but no direct sources are cited in the video itself.

The title accurately reflects the content: a seminar session featuring Mark Sanders discussing his book 'A Will for the Machine'.

8/10

The speaker is a recognized academic (NYU professor) presenting a book based on archival research and literary analysis. The discussion is nuanced and grounded in historical sources, though it is a book launch with limited external verification.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 02:00Introduction by Kim Gurnie, welcoming Mark Sanders and setting the stage for the book launch.
• 05:00Mark Sanders begins his talk, explaining the origins of the book and his interest in William Kentridge and JM Coetzee.
• 10:00Sanders discusses the history of computerization in South Africa and its link to apartheid's labor policies.
• 15:00Sanders introduces the concept of 'a will for the machine' and its positive connotations for some workers.
• 20:00Sanders analyzes Miriam Tlali's novel 'Muriel at Metropolitan' as a key text about office work and automation.
• 25:00Sanders discusses JM Coetzee's computer poetry and his ambivalence towards automation.
• 30:00Sanders explores William Kentridge's work, linking it to his grandfather's involvement in the 1922 miners' strike.
• 35:00Sanders discusses puppetry and the relationship between puppeteer and puppet as a metaphor for human-machine interaction.
• 40:00Aiden Erasmus begins his response, focusing on sound and technology in South African history.
• 50:00Q&A session begins, with questions from the audience and digital humanities fellows.

• Centre for Humanities Research, UWC — The video is hosted by this center, and the description provides the website.

• Centre for Humanities Research, UWC — The video is hosted by this center, and the description provides the website.