How does Technological Determinism affect our relationship with technology?
Why is this way of thinking of technology so pervasive?
Technological determinism most definitely affects our relationship with technology. First, I'd say that it only makes sense to define what technological determinism means. Technological determinism, as discussed in yesterday's lecture, means that society is shaped by technology and that technology determines social change. Technological determinism, also known as media determinism, represents a relationship between technology and society, and this relationship is often seen as a negative one by many social scientists. According to one of the readings, "technological determinism seeks to explain social and historical phenomena in terms of one principal or determining factor. It is a doctrine of historical or causal primacy. " Furthermore, technological determinism is mono-causal and offers a single cause or independent variable. Due to its mono-causal explanation, technological determinism reduces complexity and makes strong claims which many people may find attractive.
In my opinion, individuals that incorporate the ideology of technological determinism seems to portray a way of thinking that is so pervasive in today's society. These individuals argue that we (the users) are determined by the technologies that we use on a day to day basis. Just like how we continue to fault society's actions due to media representations, or game representations such as guns in an xbox game, the same goes for technology. We continue to fault society's actions due to technological representations. Thus, when we engage in absent-minded behaviour that involves the use of technology, we point our fingers at technology instead of taking responsibility for our own actions. Since we are the ones who actually go forth and use the technology shouldn't we be taking the blame???
Well, you know what they say....when you point one finger, there will always be THREE pointing right back at you!!!!
I would like to leave you with an important statement:
By giving technology so much power to change us, we in a sense rob technology and rob the individual....It's up to you to recognize how.
signed,
g.i.a.c.w.
Technological determinism most definitely affects our relationship with technology. First, I'd say that it only makes sense to define what technological determinism means. Technological determinism, as discussed in yesterday's lecture, means that society is shaped by technology and that technology determines social change. Technological determinism, also known as media determinism, represents a relationship between technology and society, and this relationship is often seen as a negative one by many social scientists. According to one of the readings, "technological determinism seeks to explain social and historical phenomena in terms of one principal or determining factor. It is a doctrine of historical or causal primacy. " Furthermore, technological determinism is mono-causal and offers a single cause or independent variable. Due to its mono-causal explanation, technological determinism reduces complexity and makes strong claims which many people may find attractive.
In my opinion, individuals that incorporate the ideology of technological determinism seems to portray a way of thinking that is so pervasive in today's society. These individuals argue that we (the users) are determined by the technologies that we use on a day to day basis. Just like how we continue to fault society's actions due to media representations, or game representations such as guns in an xbox game, the same goes for technology. We continue to fault society's actions due to technological representations. Thus, when we engage in absent-minded behaviour that involves the use of technology, we point our fingers at technology instead of taking responsibility for our own actions. Since we are the ones who actually go forth and use the technology shouldn't we be taking the blame???
Well, you know what they say....when you point one finger, there will always be THREE pointing right back at you!!!!
I would like to leave you with an important statement:
By giving technology so much power to change us, we in a sense rob technology and rob the individual....It's up to you to recognize how.
signed,
g.i.a.c.w.
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