1. 3.2.2 Factors influencing contemporary societal relationships with outdoor environments
Many factors influence what people do in and with the outdoors, how they think about the outdoors and the effects they have on the outdoors.
Some of these include: social, cultural, economic, education and ethnic background.
Other factors include:
TECHNOLOGY
MEDIA & ADVERTISING
COMMERCIALISATION
RISK & RESPONSE TO RISK
SOCIAL & POLITICAL DISCOURSE (written or spoken communication and reasoning).

2. Effects of technology on relationships with the outdoors
What is technology?
It can generally be referred to as the knowledge available to a society that is of use in constructing processes and designing implements to extend human abilities to satisfy human needs and wants.(In contemporary society it often involves electronic and digital products).

3. The effects of technology
The impact of technology on the outdoors and the experience we have within the outdoors is ENORMOUS.
Easier access: roads, vehicles. How does this make a difference?
List differences
THEN
NOW

4. Clothing, sleeping, camping gear – goretex, fleece, metal alloys
Clothing, sleeping, camping gear – goretex, fleece, metal alloys... How does this make a difference? List differences

5. Check out technological developments in rockclimbing on our excursion!
Then

6. NOW

7. Activity specific gear
Technology has made outdoor gear specialised.
eg. downhill mountain bike, all terrain bike (ATB), racing road bike, touring bike, hybrid bike, cruisers Made from aluminium or carbon fibre or titanium......with suspension, disc brakes, computerised functions, an array of gear selection.....this occurs in most activities; come up with some more; discuss.
What are the
effects of this?

8. Technological advances in safety equipment.
eg. radios, phones, GPS, EPIRB’s, compasses, maps
navigation for early navigation with maps navigation with compass
explorers (stars)
The development in safety equipment has increased safety in many
ways eg. *less chance of getting lost.
*if lost, use mobile for help, or GPS.
* HOWEVER, it has also led to the perception that preparation
is not as important, no need to be as self reliant.
What may this lead to?
navigate with GPS
emergency position indicator radio beacon

9. 1) The internet 2) Digital camera 3) MP3 player 4) Mobile phone
How can the following pieces of equipment influence interactions in the outdoors?
1) The internet
2) Digital camera
3) MP3 player
4) Mobile phone

10. How can the following pieces of equipment influence interactions with the outdoors? One example is listed; come up with two others for each heading yourself.
The internet
Digital cameras
MP3 players
Mobile phones
1. Find info. about an area without visiting it.
1. Capture and store
Info. for recall afterwards
1. Can’t hear natural sounds.
1. Help when in difficulty 2. 3.
Now, for each point state the effect each has on the outdoor experience.

11. DUE TO TECHNOLOGY SOCIETY’S PATTERN OF INTERACTIONS HAVE CHANGED.
* Activities are perceived as being safer; therefore we may do something we
would not otherwise do.
New activities emerge due to equipment developments.
It has enabled us to go faster and manoeuvre through more difficult and challenging environments. Participation in extreme
outdoor pursuits has increased as a result. It has also
improved techniques associated with recreational
activities, which has also enabled people to do the
unthinkable.

12. Technology: some summing up! IT HAS:
* Enhanced accessibility to environments, as well as allowing recreational abilities of all levels to participate – we go to places we couldn’t always, do things we otherwise couldn’t .
* Personal outdoor experiences have been enhanced by technology as the design and development of communication devices; clothing and specialised equipment makes the activity safer (may lead to ill preparation or take away from the connection with environment)
* Alienated some people from using natural environments.
It may also have caused some people to not interact with nature at all.

13. Technology: Has made a difference to how interactions occur. Examples:
Primary industry: machinery - faster clearance of land, gene technology in crop production (GM – is it OK?), mining, irrigation.
Conservation: more readily followed thanks to studies of human impacts. (strategies are then developed to manage problems). Scientific studies using technology can help protect species (microlab. testing). Also, the use of more sustainable enery sources (wind, water, solar).
Recreation: better equipment – we can go faster, for longer, on more difficult terrain. We are more comfortable as equipment is lighter, stronger, quick drying, aerodynamic, more technical......
Tourism: e-marketing of package deals, guide books and grading systems, iPhone apps - uses mapping technology to give users direct access to tourism product listings like tour providers, accommodation and car hire.

14. TO DO:
Evaluate the effect that technology has had on your experiences in outdoor activities. In your response you should identify a range of changes and then discuss the ways that this has changed the way that you relate to the natural environment
Investigate a new material that is now used in equipment in outdoor activities. Compare this to a material that was previously used and then evaluate the way that it has changed relationships.

15. Technology and images of outdoor experience
Consider the images of people engaged in outdoor activities. How reliant are they on technology? What aspect of the activity requires a reliance on technology? Consider images from different periods in history and how technology differs.