Chapter 6 Views on Technology

1. Instrumentalist view - Technologies are neutral; a value neutral tool that can assist in achieving a certain purpose - Technological outcomes depend on how the technology is used by humans - Focuses on efficiency and effectiveness - Technological progress is unquestionably positive

2. Determinist view - Technology operates according to an inherent, internal logic within the technology itself - Technological outcomes depend on the technology in question - Technology as external force (i.e. autonomous, self regulating) - Example of determinist thinking: the phone we have now will someday soon be replaced by something that can do its same functions faster and more effectively - Determinist illusion: at a different time in history, a certain piece of technology could have been configured to serve a different purpose

Determiners of technological outcomes  Technological properties of artifacts determines social/economic/political impact (i.e. technology as an autonomous force)  Technological properties impose particular outcomes

3. Substantivist view - Technologies embody specific values - Claims that technology operates according to its own logic, but this logic is at the expense of humanity - We make things with technological instruments but technologies also make something of us - Technological progress is often negative

4. Social Constructivist view - Technology is not an autonomous force - Technology is socially constructed and shaped by social forces - Critical theory: we have choices to develop technology - Technologies constructed via interactions between artifact and social context in which it is situated - Efficiency/Effectiveness does not necessarily impose specific outcomes

Determiners of technological outcomes  Technological properties are the outcome of conflicting interests and ideas  Multiple outcomes possible

Convergence The ability of one device to send or receive output from another device

4 Layers of the Internet 1. Content/Transaction Layer  Info available on or over the Internet, including Web sites (i.e. , music files, video streams, & transactions). 2. Application Layer  Hardware & software (i.e. , Web browsers, html) 3. Logical Infrastructure Layer  ‘Glue’ that ties all 4 layers together (i.e. communication protocols – TCP/IP; domain names etc) 4. Physical Infrastructure Layer  telephone & cable TV access lines, network lines

Internet terms Packet- sealed information unit with a destination from the sending address to the receiving address Net neutrality- all information is treated equal no matter what it is and no priority will be given; this was a founding principle of the original structure of the internet Geo-blocking- placing restrictions on access to media based on your location

Technology transfer- the export of new technologies from one country to another, sometimes ignoring important social and cultural aspects at play Open-source software- the software, standards, and protocols that make the internet run are not owned or controlled by just one party and are publically available Deep packet throttling- tracking downloads via torrent sites and slowing it down, usually done by a service provider

Communication policy Communication Policy TelecomsBroadcasting Information Technology The Press