HSB4U

Chapter 4

Technology: An Agent of Social Change

Introduction to Technology

• Everything’s Amazing and Nobody’s Happy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEY58fiSK8E

Agenda

• Poll: Technology in our lives

• What is technology and how has it affected our lives?

• Technological determinism

What is technology?

Definition from textbook (p. 105):

Technology is the creation of tools or objects that both extend our natural abilities and alter our social environment

Important technological developments in history

Important Technology Changes

How this extends a human quality

Spear Extension of the arm

Fire Extension of the mouth

Clothing Extension of skin

Glasses Extension of eyes

Car Extension of legs

Pens/pencils Extension of voice/ears/memory

Forks/knives Extension of hands/teeth

Do we control technological change in our society, or does the development of technology change our society beyond our control?

We control tech. change Tech. changes society beyond our control

Weapons used for defense Weapons used for offense

Security alarms invented for protection

Security alarms give a false sense of security and may create paranoia

Printing press makes information more accessible

Propaganda, hate messages

Internet helps social connection

Surveillance/privacy infringement

Medicine heals people, extends lifespan

Addiction, overdose

Telephone helps communication/connecting

Distractions

Camera Phone captures memories/important moments

Invasion of privacy

Coping with Technology

Dependence on digital technology:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP7nOQfIC3s

Coping with Technology

I can live without my smartphone.

Strongly Disagree Strongly Agree

Placemat Activity

Divide chart paper like this:

Coping with Technology1) Down the middle of your section of placemat, write a list of 10 technologies that have had a significant impact on you personally.

2) For each item on the list, draw a line to the left and a line to the right.

3) At the end of the line to the left, write one way in which this technology makes your life easier.

4) At the end of the line to the right, write one way it makes your life more difficult or something that frustrates you about the technology.

Coping with Technology

microwave oven

people able to eat on the run more often, family doesn’t sit down to dinner together

able to quickly cook so you can get to part-time job after school

Example:

Coping with Technology

A. Negative/Unintended ConsequencesFast food – unhealthy, GMOsMicrosoft word – spelling/handwriting

B. Future shock/speedComputers – quickly obsolete

c. Hyper Culture/blurring valuesMicrosoft word – feeling stressedTexting in social situations - RUUUDE

d. Overdependence/technosis Cell phonesSleeping pills

Social Media: Force for Change or Barrier to

Change?

Fahim, K. & El-Naggar, M. (2011, Feb. 8). Emotions of a reluctant hero galvanize protestors. Retrieved Oct. 14, 2012 from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/09/world/middleeast/09ghonim.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/G/Ghonim,%20Wael?ref=waelghonim

Wael Ghonim, centre, played a major role in Tahrir Square protests in Egypt by using Facebook and GoogleDocs

"The best way to get people away from their computer is through the computer; you can't organize thousands of people in New York City [the way Occupy Wall Street has] without the web"

Occupy Wall Street: Social Media’s Role in Social Change (2011, June 6). Retrieved on March 19, 2014 from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/06/occupy-wall-street-social-media_n_999178.html

Social Media also played a major role in the Occupy Wall Street movement that started in New York City and quickly spread throughout the country.

Slacktivism "feel-good" measures, in support of an issue or social cause, that

have little or no practical effect other than to make the person doing

it take satisfaction from the feeling they have contributed.

Homework: Read ONE of these articles (on blog)

Studies showing:

Rewiring of teenagers brains – social media resulting in underdeveloped sense of empathy and lack of intimacy in friendshipshttp://www.cbc.ca/news/health/social-media-affecting-teens-concepts-of-friendship-intimacy-1.2543158

Depression and Anxiety – Facebook makes us feel bad about ourselveshttp://www.bbc.com/news/technology-23709009

Slacktivism – Supporting causes on social media reduces chances of actually contributinghttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/adam-grant/are-you-a-slacktivist_b_4390258.html

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131108091320.htm