Notes from Chapter 1:

Society and Technological Change

Rudi Volti

The ideas and examples referenced below are notes compiled by Robert Keel and Shannon Mayer in their reading of Volti's, Society and Technological Change, 6th edition, Worth Publishers, 2010. They are intended for classroom use.

The Nature of Technology

Technology —

• It can be exhilarating and terrifying
• In general, the public supports technology — in spite of disasters (nuclear reactors, the Challenger)
• In general, most of us are poorly informed about how technology actually works
• All technologies have some basic features in common
• Why study this stuff?

Defining Technology

• "technology" is a fairly new word — coined by Jacob Bigelow (Harvard, 1820's)
• technology — techne (Greek) art, craft, or skill and logos: knowledge
• teks (Indo-euro) weave or fabricate
• Technologies are developed to help us do something we otherwise couldn’t do
• Our ability to create technology sets us apart from other animals

Beavers build dams, and chimps use sticks but no animal comes close to humans in our ability to extend our natural environment through technology

• Reliance on technology is as old as the human race
• Technology is a Cultural Element. (Culturomics)
• It shapes us and at the same time is shaped by us: Socio-Cultural Change
• Technology and Politics (See Winner, "Do Artifacts have Politics")(local copy)

"To quarrel with technology is to quarrel with the nature of man— just as if we were to quarrel with his upright gait, his symbolic imagination, his faculty for speech, or his unusual sexual posture and appetite. (from J. Bronowski, quotes on page 4)"

• Tools and techniques have undisputably assisted the physical survival of the human race
• But technology has not spontaneously appeared. Certain elements have made technology possible:
  1. Organization— development of technology requires a group effort
  2. One individual may be able to learn all the parts of a technology but one can not do every task required to make a technology work
  3. It's a System— technology has to be supported by other components
  4. This is true of the technologies of handwriting as well as the modern airplane

Definition of technology: A system based on the application of knowledge, manifested in physical objects and organization forms, for the attainment of specific goals. (page 6)

Above definition has its limitations:

• The last part of the def. assumes that technology comes about in order to meet existing needs -- this is not always the case.
• History of technology full of examples of inventions looking for problems to solve.
• New technology often creates its own needs.
• Goals achieved through technology don’t always have to be "practical" ones.
• New technologies often developed as a symbol of prestige: Automobile — do we drive Yugos or Porches?

Technological Advance and the Image of Progress

• "The development of technology is an inherently dynamic and cumulative process (page 7)
• Leaving aside social concerns, technological change is usually one of continuous improvement of existing technologies.
• We can always make things better and faster.
• This dynamic, progressive element of technology makes it a unique human endeavor.
• Other endeavors do not have this characteristic: We still love Shakespeare, Beethoven and the bible, BUT, yesterday's computer is a real drag.
• Technology represents humankind’s dream of continual progress (maybe even creates the dream).
• Some countries may be advanced technologically, but not in other human endeavors such as equal distribution of goods and services and social justice.
  1. Nazi Germany — developed the Mercedes but murdered millions of Jews and others
  2. Primitive societies — advanced artistry and social relationships, but little technology as we think of it
• Thus, the notion of "progress" is complex and can only be understood in the context of a given set of cultural beliefs and values.
• Four Philosophies of Technology

Technology as a Metaphor:

• Technology — metaphor of our human notion of continual progress
• Technology has also shaped the way we think about ourselves and our world
  • Feedback — principle in technology
    1. "A method of controlling a system by reinserting into it the results of its past performance. (page 10)."
    2. It is a regulation device, that when used will help an unbalanced system gain its equilibrium.
    3. This principle was incorporated into other areas of social life — the stock market

Technology and Rationality

• Technology has given us the belief that progress is a natural part of life.
• Underlying this belief is a rational approach.
• A Technologically progressive society is one in which problems are observed in systematic way and, more importantly, that solutions to problems are possible. We don’t view inclement weather as punishment from an angry God, we develop methods to understand weather patterns and how to better deal with changes.

"A rational approach to problem-solving is continuously concerned with the identification and development of appropriate means for the achievement of particular ends." (12)

• Rational modes of thought do not confer moral superiority.
• In fact, extreme rational thought can result in great moral transgressions — Nazi Germany
• Rational thought processes also carry a reluctance to admit there is anything capable of withstanding logical and empirical scrutiny. (12)

"With the progress of science and technology, man has stopped believing in magic powers, in spirits and demons; he has lost his sense of prophecy and, above all his sense of the sacred. Reality has become dreary, flat and utilitarian, leaving a great void in the souls of men which they seek to fill by furious activity and through various devices and substitutes."(page 13, Julian Freund, French Sociologist)

• Rationality requires objectivity — coolness and detachment.
• This can make for Technology that is not compatible with social beliefs and values. (See Winner, "Do Artifacts have Politics")(local copy)
• Modern technology is accessible in some form to the entire population.
• Yet, by its very nature, few us actually understand it.
• Our lack of understanding can render us powerless over it.
• Who control and understands Technology is of key importance --This influences what Technology is or is not made available to us

Questions (page 16-17):

1.  What recent technology has produced the greatest benefit?  Which has produced the greatest harm?  Are there harmful elements to beneficial technologies?   Beneficial elements to harmful technologies?

2.  Do all technologies require tools or material artifacts, of some sort?  Is bureaucracy a form of technology?

3.  Can you think of technologies that were developed simply because of the technical challenge involved?  Can these technologies be justified?

4.  How do you respond when a technological device you depend on malfunctions?   What attitudes towards technology do your responses reveal?

5. Can you think of technologies that were developed simply because of the challenge? Are these sorts of technologies impractical? Can they be justified?

6. Are technologies "gendered?"

Chapter 2

URL: http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/280/soctechchange/soctech1.htm
Owner: Robert O. Keel: rok@umsl.edu
Last Updated: Thursday, January 13, 2011 14:44