Technological Evolution: A Critique of Arthur's Theory

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In David Harvey’s 17 Contradiction of Capitalism, he separates the chapters into three categories: Fundamental, moving, and dangerous. Chapter eight: Technology, Work and Human Disposability is categorized into the moving category because technology is constantly changing. Brian Arthur sees “new technologies as the building blocks for the creation of yet newer technologies” (page 95). In this way, over time, technology creates itself, from itself. Harvey argues against Arthur’s theory. Harvey proposed to look at new technologies as they are created mentally before they are made physically. New technological designs replace the old, and are better versions of what we already have. Harvey also argued against Arthurs claims because he did not

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