Technological Determinism is a reductionist concept that entails that technology is self-evident, and shapes the identity of any given society. Though this concept is subsequently compelling because it is rather one-dimensional, the modes in which we interact with technology are determined by several factors, rather than the technologies themselves. Technological Determinism is a concept that does not credit human capacity, and this is why it fails to hold up. Technology itself is prescribed an identity through factors such as need, competition, and suitability; which all of course are circumstantial. This paper will define Technological Determinism, and explore to what extent it can be taken. This paper will also discuss the application it has in context of the changes and developments in Canadian media, and whether or not technology is the primary force behind change. Ultimately, discrediting the ludicrous concept in general.
Categorically speaking, reductionism is an approach to understanding the nature of complex things by reducing them to the interactions of their parts, or to simpler or more fundamental things (Princeton). Wherein, Technological Determinism falls right in. To simplify such a complex relationship such as the one between society and technology is to extenuate/ or discredit the many different factors that contribute to the roots of this relationship. These modes of adoption include both the social, and political aspects of our everyday lives. Within these two categories there lye factors such as, the circumstance of production. Which is essentially, whether the production of a technology is accidental, or the result of a specific need, want, or desire. Other modes of adoption include: potential use, societal ...
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... needed to be made easier, and the Internet was invented so that information could be readily shared at the click of a button. However, technology does not only encompass things composed of nuts, and bolts. Consider the formation of the Canadian Charter of Rights of Freedoms; this document was drafted out of the need for the legislation of the basic rights and freedoms. These rights, and freedoms needed to be outlined so that an infringement of rights can be referenced, and rectified under the court of law. We saw this concept mainly in the transition from the Oral Age of ancient Greece to the Literate Age of ancient Rome. This transitionary period was the foundation for our judicial structure today, and without it modern civilization would seize to be. The Charter of Rights and Freedom, and the Constitution alike were both formed out of the need for law, and order.
The United States Bill of Rights came into being as a result of a promise made by the Fathers of Confederation to the states during the struggle for ratification of the Constitution in 1787-88. A great number of the states made as a condition for their ratification, the addition of amendments, which would guarantee citizens protection of their rights against the central government. Thus, we have a rather interesting situation in which the entrenchment of a bill of rights in the American Constitution was done by the virtual demand of the states, they themselves fearing a central government which was not legally constrained and restricted as far as its powers were concerned.
Goldberg, David Theo. “If Technology Is Making Us Stupid, It’s Not Technology’s Fault.” Blog. Digital Humanities. August 16, 2010. Gooch and Suyler. in Argument. Avenue of the Americas, New York.2011. 301-03. Print.
After the American Revolution, America had earned it’s freedom from Britain. In order to govern this new country the Articles of Confederation was created. This document was flawed by the colonists fear of putting too much power into a central government. Knowing the document needed to be fixed a constitutional convention was called. The document created at this convention has been our constitution ever since. But even the Constitution was meet with criticism. One major concern when writing the constitution was how to protect the citizens rights. The Constitution did this through the preamble, the legislative process, the limit of presidential terms, the judicial branch, and the bill of rights.
The topic of technology and our society has become a very controversial subject today. Many people believe that technology is an essential component of our modern world, helping us to improve communication from farther distances as well as giving us easy access to important information. On the other hand, there is the opinion that too much technology is affecting social interactions and our basic development. “Technology…is a queer thing, it brings you great gifts with one hand, and stabs you in the back with the other.” (Carrie Snow.) The CBC Documentary “Are We Digital Dummies” displayed the pros and cons when it comes to modern technology that we use in the western world everyday.
While developing the constitution the framers had to take precautions to prevent the people's rights from being stripped away by an oppressive government. Since the constitution was constructed I believe it is self-evident that the people wanted to avoid tyranny in their new nation. That is exactly what the framers of the Constitution did in the summer of 1787 when delegates from twelve states met together to create a new government. The delegates discussed how to make the constitution strong enough to defend its citizens but yet structured enough so that tyranny would not take place. Concepts such as the Bill of Rights, Checks and Balances, and Separation of Powers would be what helped the constitution reach its goal of being tyranny free.
Are technology and the media shedding the very fabric of the existence we have known? As technology and the media spread their influence, the debate over the inherent advantages and disadvantages intensifies. Although opinions vary widely on the subject, two writers offer similar views: Professor Sherry Turkle, director of the MIT Initiative on Technology and Self, in her article “Can You Hear Me Now” and Naomi Rockler-Gladen, who formerly taught media studies at Colorado State University, with her article “Me Against the Media: From the Trenches of a Media Lit Class.” Turkle asserts that technology has changed how people develop and view themselves, while at the same time affecting their concepts of time management and focus (270). Similarly, Rockler-Gladen believes media and its inherent advertising have had a profound effect on the values and thinking of the public (284). I could not agree more with Professor Turkle and Ms. Rockler-Gladen; the effects technology and media have worried and annoyed me for quite so time. The benefits of technology and media are undeniable, but so then are the flaws. People are beginning to shift their focus away from the physical world to the virtual world as they find it easier and more comfortable. The intended purpose of technology and media was to be a tool to improve the quality of life, not shackles to tie people to their devices. I no longer recognize this changed world and long for the simple world of my youth.
The Bill of Rights was created because the states believed that the federal government would have too much power and they wanted to have more individual rights. Around this time the colonies had just been under the British rule, which oppressed the people and give them very limited freedoms. The states or the colonies were kind of afraid that this would happen all over again within this new government forming in the form of the Constitution. Most of the state at this time believed that the Constitution alone was enough but others felt that they needed more assurances. In the end, the federal government complied with these states and gave them the Bill of Rights.
In summary, both the article and the novel critique the public’s reliance on technology. This topic is relevant today because Feed because it may be how frightening the future society may look like.
The purpose of this section was to define society, culture and technology. Thinking of technology as a system wraps these ideas into a cohesive package. If technology is a system, specifically one that allows us to achieve goals, then it follows that society and culture interact with this system. For instance, in “Culture,” written by Joseph R. Gusfield, he states “The origins of [culture] lie in the concept of cultivation, distinguishing that which is grown under human control, [...] from the products of nature.” From this perspective, technology and culture are mutual necessary for each other to function. Without technology, a means of achieving a specific goal, there would be no way means of cultivation. Without culture, something that is transmitted from generation to generation, there would be no need for technology. Using the definition society from the powerpoint, “societal organization is an adaptive mechanism through which individuals cooperate to their mutual benefit,” we can interpret society as a guide of technology. Supposing a society at one point in time values profit above environmental protection then they will use manufacturing techniques which produce more at the expense of the environment. In other words, the values, beliefs and norms of a society shape the technology and culture it uses and perpetuates.
Throughout the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Enlightenment, and the Industrial Revolution, technology has changed the world, conforming it into the techno-savvy world of modern times. While technology can cause slight problems, like in the example about the Next Generation identification, the possibilities of technology are continuously changing for the better. The everyday items of modern society were simply fiction several decades ago. While technology is used to complete tasks in fractions of the time, heal epidemics, and open doors of possibilities never dreamed achievable, this technology is only a beneficial resource to society if used with true intentions.
Marshall McLuhan and Raymond Williams, both cornerstones in their respected media theory and cultural studies, differed in their opinions of the relationship between media technology and social change. McLuhan believed in technological determinism, which is “an approach that identifies technology, or technological developments, as the central causal element in processes of change” (Croteau, Hoynes, and Milan 290). In other words, McLuhan believes that new technology drives the way cultural values and social structures develop. He was interested in the cultural effects produced by electronic media; he was especially interested in the effects of televisions. McLuhan’s The Medium is the Massage argued that technology has changed the way humans do things and interact, that “all media are extensions of some human faculty” (McLuhan 5).
Freedom is a human value that has inspired many poets, politicians, spiritual leaders, and philosophers for centuries. Poets have rhapsodized about freedom for centuries. Politicians present the utopian view that a perfect society would be one where we all live in freedom, and spiritual leaders teach that life is a spiritual journey leading the soul to unite with God, thus achieving ultimate freedom and happiness. In addition, we have the philosophers who perceive freedom as an inseparable part of our nature, and spend their lives questioning the concept of freedom and attempting to understand it (Transformative Dialogue, n.d.).
W. Brian Arthur’s, The Nature of Technology, explains how technology is transformative and answers the unanswered questions about technology’s evolution. Arthur’s discusses about technology transforming the world throughout the years. He takes the readers through a journey on how technology is evolving. He makes a comparison on technology, questioning if technology evolves just like biological life. He brings up the subject of technology and science joining these two topics to come up with the answers. In the Nature of Technology, Arthur discusses the theories of technology and development that helps to construct society.
Thomas P. Hughes once mentioned that “A technological system can be both a cause and effect; it can shape or be shaped by society” (p.112). When describing the influence of culture on today’s societal changes, the emerging trend of technological determinism fits the role. Technological determinism is the phrase that describes how technology influences the evolution of humans. One might describe technological determinism as “How who we are is determined by the tools we invent and use.” The reason why I choose this topic is because I personally believe that I am a part of the generation where the role of technology quickly became significant in our society and I was interested in learning more about how it actually shaped our future. The progression of technology has allowed people to shape the future of teaching and learning in education institutions. Sadly, the negatives effects of technological determinism would be the constant desire of being a part of the newest technological trends by following others. The following article that will be presented to assist as evidence of technological determinism involved in educational systems are by Kathrin Dodds, Donnell Callender and Cynthia Henry. The next article that proposes the studies of herd behavior in the adoption of technology is written by Heshan Sun.
Hence, any debate of the future becoming digital must take into consideration the reaction of the media to the technological innovations of the world, from the Personal Computers (PC) to the smallest Smartphone. Although mass media has increased with technological innovations, what driv...