Technology and society

INTRODUCTION Technology is expanding boundaries, but at the same time it’s also changing how we perceive, interact, and have relationships with each other.

Technology in our lives How does technology change our lives for the better? Or does it? When you tweet or cut/paste a social cause about a social awareness, are you promoting social change? Does the constant flow of information mean we are more aware and engaged than any society before us, or is it just major distraction? Does it make us feel as though we are a part of something bigger, or just perpetuate our differences and inequities? This is what sociologists study!

What is technology? The application of science to address the problems of daily life.

Perspectives of technology Functionalist: focus on structure and social purposes technology serves Ex: Web is both form of technology and form of media; links individuals and nations in a communication network Conflict: focus on systematic inequality created by differential access to technology Ex: How can we be sure that the news that we’re hearing is an objective reality? Symbolic Interactionist: try to understand the differences between real lives we lead and reality depicted on “reality” tv. Ex: Jersey Shore; Teen Mom

Technological inequality Global Digital Divide: economic and social inequality of access to technology between developed and developing countries  leading to Knowledge Gap Students in affluent area have access to more technology than students in poorly funded schools, therefore making them more proficient and more marketable in an increasing technology-based market

E-waste Planned Obsolescence: companies are producing products that are built to be thrown out and become obsolete or unusable Applied to anything, from women’s stockings to cell phones Embodied Energy: calculation of all the energy costs required for resource extraction, manufacturing, transportation, marketing, and disposal of a product

Intro to project topics: TECHNOLOGY AND GLOBAL IMPACT INTERNET TECHNOLOGY MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY MILITARY TECHNOLOGY

Internet technology Ability of the Internet to transmit information and data through different servers and systems Ex: Communication, websites, blogs, file sharing, document loading, business practices, socializing, shopping, research

Manufacturing technology Field of study focused on improvement of manufacturing processes, techniques, or equipment in order to reduce costs, increase efficiency, enhance reliability, or to incorporate safety and anti- pollution measures. Ex: Robots, assembly line, machines (mechanized)

Transportation technology Movement of goods and persons from place to place and the various means in which it is accomplished  electronic advancements made for both vehicles and traveling Ex: connected and autonomous vehicles, trains, airplanes, alternative fuels, keyless fleet management and traffic analytics, infrastructure, GPS

Computer Technology Design and construction of computers to better help people accomplish every day tasks; development of a software program that allows people to accomplish work at various locations, not just the actual job site. Hardware and software programs, processing chips Uses: education, business, transportation, banking, electricity, cell phones, online access, entertainment, healthcare, government, etc.

Military technology Range of weapons, equipment, structures, & vehicles used specifically for purpose of warfare; includes knowledge required to construct technology, employ it in combat, and repair and replenish it. 5 categories: Offensive arms, defensive arms, transportation of soldiers and weaponry, communications coordinate the movements of armed forces; and sensors detect forces and guide weaponry