Technology and Society

Technology An Agent of Social Change The Printing Press: The Good: Education/ Literacy The Bad: Education (harder - News can be mass produced to control population) - More opportunities for work and learning - Resources used - Propaganda - Oral traditions/ recitation loses meaning/value Technology: An invention of new tools which makes the process of living easier. The creation of tools or objects that both extend our natural abilities and alter our social environment. - anything embraced by people for practical day use Consequences are BOTH POSITIVE AN NEGATIVE! Marshall McLuhan (1911-1980) “Any technology or medium is an extension of some human quality” language as an extension of human thought. Writing os an extension of language Typing is an extension of writing. - “The Medium is the message” - Ex.The extension of a finger - a knife, pen, pointer…etc. extension of the hand - hammer, instruments, drinking glass…etc. extensions of the foot - bicycle, roller-blades, flippers, crutches…etc Coping with Technological Change - William Ogburn (1886 - 1959) Cultural lag: Acceptance of new technology: invention, discovery and diffusion. Change causes INSTABILITY Invention: Combining elements and materials to form new ones (Material or social invention) - i.e. invention of smart phones - “WOW!!!” Discovery: Discovering a new way of reality (discovery/ timing initiate social change) - “Did you see how…” Diffusion: Spread of discovery - store/place offering this item (i.e. Mexican restaurant) Futureshock: dizzying disorientation brought on by the premature arrival of the future. Hyerculture: deterioration of the family. Virtues of sacrifice, long term commitment, essential to effective parenthood become rare. fundamental values are being blurred Technosis: a sense of loss of self, a disconnection from culture in the absence of technology. New Technology = New STRESS How the Internet Enables Intimacy: Cultural norms can be shifted to adapt the the fact that being intimate doesn't mean having “them” close to you. Everyone has communication (not just the top dogs) Groups who resist technological change are sometimes referred to as “luddites” can also be those who are suspicious of technology. “There is a difference between technology as utility and technology as a lens" Hyperreality: “pictures of life” that represent, but also mask true reality. fake view of life constructed through photos (i.e. judging someone based on their Instagram) Resist technology’s powerful pull and intelligently evaluate it’s impact.