A Gift of Fire Third edition Sara Baase Chapter 7: Evaluating and Controlling Technology Slides prepared by Cyndi Chie and Sarah Frye

What We Will Cover Computers and Community The ‘Digital Divide’ Evaluations of the Impact of Computer Technology Making Decisions About Technology

Computers and Community It is human nature to form associations based on common interests Some feared early technologies, such as telephones, thinking communication would be de-humanized Computers and the Internet were blamed for the decline in community involvement and memberships in clubs and organizations The Internet provides communities focused on specialized interests or problems

Computers and Community (cont.) The Internet brings people together from all over the world E-mail and the Internet provide convenient and cheap ways for families and friends to stay in contact New trends include social-networking sites such as MySpace and virtual environments such as Second Life

The "Digital Divide" Trends in Computer Access: New technologies only available to the wealthy The time it takes for new technology to make its way into common use is decreasing Cost is not the only factor; ease of use plays a role Entrepreneurs provide low cost options for people who cannot otherwise afford something Government funds technology in schools As technology becomes more prevalent, the issues shift from the haves and have-nots to level of service

The "Digital Divide" (cont.) The Global Divide and the Next Billion Users: Approximately one billion people worldwide have access to the Web; approximately five billion do not Non-profit organizations and huge computer companies are spreading computer access to people in developing countries Bringing new technology to poor countries is not just a matter of money to buy equipment; PCs and laptops must work in extreme environments Some people actively working to shrink the digital divide emphasize the need to provide access in ways appropriate to the local culture

Evaluations of the Impact of Computer Technology The Neo-Luddite View of Computers, Technology, and Human Needs: Computers cause massive unemployment No real need (We use technologies because they are there, not because they satisfy real needs) Computers cause social inequity Benefit big business and the government Do little or nothing to solve real problems Computers separate humans from nature and destroy the environment

Evaluations of the Impact of Computer Technology (cont.) Accomplishments of Technology: Prices of food are down and raw materials are abundant Real buying power is up Food supplies and GDP are growing faster than the population Dramatic impact on life expectancy Assistive technologies benefit those with disabilities

Making Decisions About Technology (cont.) The Difficulty of Prediction: Each new technology finds new and unexpected uses The history of technology is full of wildly wrong predictions

Making Decisions About Technology (cont.) Intelligent Machines and Super-intelligent Humans - Or the End of the Human Race? Technological Singularity - point at which artificial intelligence or some combined human-machine intelligence advances so far that we cannot comprehend what lies on the other side We cannot prepare for aftermath, but prepare for more gradual developments Select a decision making process most likely to produce what people want

Making Decisions About Technology Discussion Questions Do you think that communicating by text messaging and via social-networking sites depersonalizes or dehumanizes your relationships with friends? Does Cyber War scare you?