TechnologyTechnology and Social Change

HSB Grade 12Challenge and ChangeUnit 2

What is technology?

The creation of tools, objects, or methods, that extend both our natural abilities, and later our social environment.

Anything from a coffee cup to and ipod can be viewed as technology.

What was the greatest invention of the millennium which has impacted the most change?

The printing press in 1450

This invention took the process of reading out of wealthy circles and monasteries and into the hands of the ordinary peopleBooks became more affordable and became the method of choice when circulating new ideas

Technology bring with it a degree of social change…

• Technology challenges the nature of change. Does change begin with the individual or the technology?

• Technology has strongly affected the way societies are designed and how they keep changing

• People receive their information more quickly

• People can communicate in different ways

• Negative and positive consequences to the introduction of new technology

Technological Determinism

Thorstein Veblen (1857-1929) – first proposed theory

Technological Determinism – a view that social change is initiated by technology and not necessarily the individual. Sees invention of a particular tool, such as the computer, as taking on a life of its own after it has been introduced with society simply reacting to the new technology. The impact and effect is out of our control once introduced in society.

“We shape our tools, and and tools shape us ”-Marshal McLuhan

Coping with Technological Change – Positive or Negative???

Using Technology for Social Change

• Many groups use social networks for mobilizing — Getting members out– to an event– to sign a petition– to donate for a cause.

• focuses on organizing — creating an educated constituency of people who can motivate others.

• Social networks are an integral part of an organizing strategy, because communication and engagement are what they're all about.

New Technology = New Stress

1. Technology can have a negative side effect. i.e freedom to access information such as pornography, hate propaganda, etc.

2. Keeping up with the speed of technological change– future shock disorientation brought on by technological advancements,

creating a sense that the future as arrived prematurely – hyperculture refers to the overwhelming rate of change in modern

technological societies

3. Overdependence load– Technosis an overblown attachment to or overdependence on

technology

Theory on Cultural LagWilliam Ogburn –analysis the effects of technology and the environment. Developed the theory of Cultural Lag.

Cultural Lag describes the process of integration to technology. Acceptance of new technology goes through three phases:(1) Invention(2) Discovery (3) Diffusion.If all three are verified then technology has been successfully integrated into society.

Technology introduces change that temporarily destabilizes society and, until society adapts, a period of transition occurs.

Ogburn identifies that there are a group of people that impede change that technology may bring by resisting and rejecting technology. Members who oppose technology are referred to as “Luddite”

Resistance to Change

“Luddites” is a term taken from the name of people who belonged to a secret society whose goal it was to destroy new textile machines during the early years of the Industrial Revolution in England, 1810.