Technological Determinism: Humanity And Social Construction Of Technology

Leo Marx, once a professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Harvard graduate, wrote an article titled “Technology The Emergence of a Hazardous Concept”. In this article, the author explores the modern day definition of the word technology and argues that technology offers too broad of a definition and is ill fitting to describe all technical advancements and their creators. Technology can be defined as the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment, drawing upon such subjects as industrial arts, engineering, applied science, and pure science (dictionary.com). On the other hand, it can

As we can remember, technological determinism was mentioned in the beginning of our book. When talking about technological determinism, people refer to technology as the driver of change in society. In simpler terms, technological determinism means that it is technology that controls us. An alternative, in a way, for technological determinism is technological momentum. Technological momentum is an idea that Thomas Hughes came up with. Technological momentum is similar to technological determinism, but it’s main difference is that technological momentum has to do with technology and society over time. Technological momentum occurs with the course of time; it is not inborn or built-in (p.53). A technology gains technological momentum when a vast majority of the population incorporates it into their everyday life and sees it as essential.

From over ten thousand years ago to what is now the Information Age, technology has grown significantly and affected not just one individual, but the whole world. The creations of technology have rapidly evolved to where humans depend on technology. They use it for their daily needs and this evidence shows these creations are a stepping-stone for future endeavours. The innovations that several people have created revolutionised the world in a major way from a light bulb and crossbows to an airplane and satellites. However, where they are positive results lie potential negative consequences and it becomes conspicuous every day. As humans become more dependent on technology over the years, society becomes interdependent. This indicates that

The Social Construction of Technology (or SCOT) is a new research tradition rooted in the sociology of technology. SCOT provides a multi-directional model based on the property of interpretative flexibility, and emphasizes on social influences on the technology design and development. This paper will apply SCOT principles to explore the development of cell phone, define the development of cell phone into three different stages historically, and analyze the interpretative flexibility of the cell phone accordingly in the three different stages. Based on SCOT theory, this paper will discuss how the original huge cell phones are shaped and developed by social influences to the smartphones in today’s life.

In many respects, the story of the development of human society can be read as a story of technological development. Such a reading might mean interpreting the term technology fairly broadly, however. While this word's everyday use often connotes gadgets and devices, it is also possible to use this term to refer to the use of scientific knowledge to develop innovations that have practical uses (Oxford English Dictionary Online). Thus, in the same way that we think of airplanes as a technology for transportation and mobile phones a technology for communication, we might think of a judicial system as a technology for social control, or of antibiotics as a technology for combatting certain types of infections, and so forth.

Over the years technology has slowly become an important part in people’s everyday lives. We live in a world where technology is constantly updating as society becomes more dependent upon it. Everything around us is made using technology or discovered through technology. With each day that goes by society gets closer to solely relying on technology to function. In many aspects technology is a very useful tool.

Technology must now solve the problems we as a society have created; nevertheless it is our responsibility to bring about change and accept it” (Lethe, 2010). Technology has taught society to solve our self-created problems, allowing us to adapt to change and accept it as it comes along. The aspect in which technology controls our society today completely differs from that of the World State. Despite this, the two still share

that technology is usually seen as an external force which is usually introduced to a social situation. However, contrary to the view of most sociologists who support technological determinism, majority of the scholars have argued that social forces determine technologies (Hutchby, 2001).

Technology is the sum of the ways in which social groups provide themselves with the material objects of their civilization.

In Questioning Technology, Andrew Feenberg focuses on the implicitly social aspects of technology that are often ignored. In rebutting the deterministic approach to technology and adapting the constructivist approach he explores the ways that our interactions with technology perpetually and dynamically affect the route to progress that technologies take. Furthermore, he explores the democratization that takes place when imbalanced hierarchies are forged because of technocratically governed systems. Lastly, he explores the reflexive effects that such technologies can have on society. Repeatedly, Feenberg shows us the intertwinement of society and technology is inescapable, aligning many of his viewpoints

Technological determinism is a term developed by Marshal McLuhan, a theorist in the study of new media. By technological determinism, McLuhan refers to technology having the power to change societies and influence our cultures. In this essay I will argue that technology does have the power to change society and influence a civilization, using ideas put forward by Marshal McLuhan. I will also discuss the debate around technological determinism recognizing the claims made by Raymond Williams that society shapes technology as we look back at its emergence and their subsequent control.

As long as there have been people in this world, technology and science have existed. Technology is a powerful force which helped in the development of civilization and is a part of our system of culture that reflects its values. Technology has become very complex over the years and today it is known to be a social enterprise that includes all aspects such as research, design, finance, manufacturing, labor etc.

When a new technology or an advancement is introduced into society, there is no doubt that it will in, some way, reconfigure social relations. In some ways the changes can be very beneficial, but not all changes are always intentional. Wiebe Bijker introduced the idea that “A machine is a Socio-Technical Ensemble” (Bijker,1993) which when broken down is a way of saying that all technology consists of social dynamics and practicable technology. An iPhone is a prime example of a socio-technical ensemble. The technical aspect of the iPhone lays within the engineers, how they designed it to be piece of technology which allows people to communicate, perform functions, and be a platform for applications. The social dynamics of the iPhone is created by people communicating using a device and utilizing the apps it offers. The engineers of the iPhone can be seen

Technology has played an integral part in shaping society in many different ways. Throughout history, technological inventions have changed everything from the way humans are clothed and fed to the very ways we communicate and interact as a species. Examining the effects technology has on society illustrate both how technology shapes culture and society and how society can affect future technology. This can be seen by examining a few of the major technological innovations in human history followed by a look at a new technology and how it may shape future society.

Technology is continuously developing and has begun creating shortcuts for the American society. As a society we need to find a balance between our technological use and our everyday life. In my opinion, society has become too dependent on technology. The more advanced technology becomes, the more it seems to be gaining control over our lives. Even though technology is offering society many beneficial qualities; it also is causing many negative effects to occur. Technology is affecting society socially, mentally, and physically.