Chapter 4 Technology and Social Change

4.1 Technology: An agent of Social Change Classic example (one of the earliest) examples of technology causing social change?????? Gutenberg’s printing press

What is Technology? There are many different definitions of technology according to each person who uses the word Coffe cups, computers, books as an extension of the eyes, the wheel as an extension of the foot

What is technology? For the purposes of our study technology is “the creation of tools or objects that both extend our natural abilities and alter our social environment.” The intro of new technology brings along the possibility for both positive and negative consequences

Marshall McLuhan: technology or “medium” is extension of some human quality

Book is extension of the…

Does Change Begin with the Individual or the Technology? Social Change Theory Looks at the factors contributing to change within the structures of society. Looks at changes in the way people think, feel and act and try to generate reasonable hypothesis to explain why change has taken place

Does Change Begin with the Individual or the Technology? Social Change Theory Change happens in society by countless interactions within society’s framework that begins with The Individual

Does Change Begin with the Individual or the Technology? Societal change is initiated by an individual person who shares an idea with his or her community Occupy Toronto November 2011

Does Change Begin with the Individual or the Technology? Technological Determinism: says technology rules Put forth by Thorstein Veblen (economist and social theorist) said technology has more of an impact on us than we admit Technological Determinists see the invention of a particular tool taking on a life of its own and society reacting to the new technology

Does Change Begin with the Individual or the Technology? Traditional Schools Say: change starts with person The traditional schools claim that a change in human thinking & communicating is accompanied by new technologies People prefer to see themselves as masters of their own destiny and not technology as their master.

Does Change Begin with the Individual or the Technology? Technological Determinism However, there is validity in the stance taken by technological determinists

Does Change Begin with the Individual or the Technology? Technological Determinism… EXAMPLES?

Does Change Begin with the Individual or the Technology? Technological Determinism

What do you think? Traditional school of thought? Person first Technological determinism? Technology first OR Can both be true? i.e. Societal change is prompted by BOTH societal ideals AND the introduction of new technology.