TH-Midterm-SOC3116A (2)

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Take-Home Midterm Jason Amankwah 300105544 SOC 3116A Technologies, World and Societies (Fall 2023) Prof. Stéphan Larose Monday, October 30, 2023
1. What is a relevant social group? What are the main RSGs involved in the story told by the documentary? (10pts: 4pts for definition, 6pts for application) A relevant social group is defined as groups playing a role in the development of an artificial who as a group usually share a common meaning in it. There are quite a few RSGs in this documentary starting with the automobile manufacturers such as General Motors who produced the EV1 and took on the actions that led to its demise in the future. Even other car companies like Chrysler, Ford, Honda, etc. were also involved in making and producing electric cars. In addition, the government of the United States were classified as an RSG as seen by the CARB (California Air Resources Board) passed the zero-emissions act in 1990 and the George W. Bush Administration which had a laissez- faire attitude towards environmental policies which in turn influenced policy decisions around EV’s. Also, the oil industry was a main RSG as they lobbied against the EVs due to their potential impact on gasoline sales. Consumers also played a role as EV1 drivers were very enthusiastic about their cars to the point that when they were discontinued by GM, they offered to buy their leased cars from GM, but they were denied. 2. What is interpretive flexibility? How did each RSG interpret the EV1? (15pts: 4pts for definition, 11pts for application) Interpretative flexibility is defined as different groups of people involved in a technology who can have different understandings of the technology including its technical content. Auto manufacturers (GM) initially developed the EV1 as a brand-new innovation to the electric car range as it had a modern/sleek design and an impressive range. Unfortunately, 2
the fallout from the CARB mandate and the reluctance to build on the breakthrough technology in EVs, they recalled and destroyed all EV1’s showing that auto manufacturers had lost their confidence in their new product. Consumers interpreted the EV1s as a great technology that they were extremely passionate about even to the point that they wanted to buy their EV1s from GM when they were commissioned to be destroyed. They felt betrayed by these actions and fought to save the EV1s. The oil industry felt that the commercialization of EVs was an inherent threat to their business model which resulted in incessant lobbying efforts which in turn influenced policy decisions that impacted the fate of EVs. Lastly, the U.S government looked at the EV1 as a great solution to solve environmental problems as seen with the CARB mandate of 1990 but with outside pressure from car manufacturers, they reversed their stance. In addition, the lack of outside help from the Bush administration affected the trajectory of EVs as their focus on other initiatives led to limited EV development. 3. What is a technological frame? Identify the main (identifiable) elements of each RSG’s TF. Focus on goals, user’s practice and requirements, tacit knowledge, exemplary artefact, and mostly on problem-solving strategies , (note: these elements are unevenly present in each RSG, but the most common one is PSS) (20pts: 4pts for definition, 16pts for application) The technological frame can be identified as the meaning that is attributed to an artefact by members of an RSG. Elements of TF Automobile Consumers Oil Industry Government 3
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