Chapter 15 Science and Technology The Global Context: the Technological Revolution Sociological Theories of Science and Technology

Chapter 15 Science and Technology Technology and the Transformation of Society Societal Consequences of Science and Technology Strategies for Action: Controlling Science and Technology

Levels of Technological Development Mechanization - agricultural societies Automation - industrialized societies Cybernation - postindustrialized societies

U.S. Funding for Research and Development 2000 Private industry (69%) Federal government (27%) Colleges and universities (3%) Nonprofit organizations such as research institutes (1%)

Resolving Social Problems Social engineering - changing people's behaviors and attitudes. Technological fix - development and use of technology.

Structural-Functionalist Perspective Science and technology emerge in response to societal needs. Science fulfills the need for an assumed objective measure of truth. If society changes too rapidly as a result of science and technology, problems may emerge.

Conflict Perspective Technological advances are motivated by profit. Industry spends more money than government on research and development. Funding of research is determined by dominant groups.

Symbolic Interactionist Perspective Knowledge is relative, it changes over time and between societies. Scientific “truths” are socially constructed and result from interactions between scientists, researchers, and the public. Who becomes involved in what aspects of science and technology is socially defined.

The Hacking Community: A study Findings: Hackers must maintain secrecy but also like publicity for their acts. Hackers achieve anonymity by using names such as Kaos, inc. Membership in hacker communities is fluid with a high turnover.

Acceptable Motivations for Hacking Addiction to computers Curiosity and excitement Power Acceptance and recognition Identification of security risks

Influence of Older Technologies - The Clock Developed by Benedictine monasteries of the 12th and 13th centuries to provide precision to rituals of devotion. In mid-14th century, clocks were used to regulate the life of the workman and the merchant.

Influence of Older Technologies - The Clock Clock was invented by men who wanted to devote themselves to god. Became a technology used by men who devoted themselves to the accumulation of money.

The Computer Revolution In 1951, half a dozen computers existed. Today, over 50% of U.S. homes have a computer. In U.S., 47% of adults use a computer in one or more places.

The Internet About half of Americans use the internet. Users are more likely to be male (52%), white (85%), and between the ages of 12 and 29. The number of online seniors is expected to triple between 2000 and 2004.

Social Relationships and Social Interaction Development of telephones has led to fewer visits with friends and relatives. With VCRs and cable television, number of places where social life occurs has declined. Amish have banned any technology that is seen as a threat to the cohesion of the community or might contaminate values.

Data Smog Removal Techniques Reduce stress associated with “high tech” lifestyle: – Turn television off – Leave pager and cell phone behind – Limit – Say no to dataveillance – Cleanse your system with “data-fasts”