From its beginning, the story of Medusa has fascinated and terrified listeners and readers, for what is most compelling in this myth is Medusa's intrinsic doubleness: the woman who could turn a careless onlooker to stone has become a symbol of all that is irresistible. This is a major anthology of primary and critical material on this enigmatic figure.

Ranging from classical times to pop culture, this collection will appeal to art historians, feminists, classicists, cultural critics, and anyone interested in mythology.

Language Machines questions any easily progressive model of technological change, demonstrating the persistence rather than the obsolescence of language technologies over time, the continuous and complicated overlap of pens, presses, screens and voice. In these essays new technologies do not simply replace, but rather draw upon, absorb, displace and resituate earlier technologies.