1. Chapter 4 Technology and Social Change

2. 4.1 Technology: An agent of Social Change
Classic example (one of the earliest) examples of technology causing social change??????
Gutenberg’s printing press

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. Book is extension of the…

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

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

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

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

15. 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.