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Technological
Determinism (Print This) |
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Some
believe that technological change is somehow disconnected from human
influence. Technology seems to appear "out of the blue" with little
if any input from its intended users. Technology has a dramatic,
direct, one-way effect on our lives. In other words, technology
affects society, but society does not affect technology. This idea,
sometimes called technological determinism, suggests that technology
follows its own course independent of human
direction.
Technological determinism is based on a
misperception of the central role people play in the design and uses
of technology. Members of Congress, company CEOs and the scientists
and engineers who work for them. and the consuming public all have a
say in what technology should do, what it is capable of doing, and
what it actually does. Technology mirrors our values, as well as our
flaws.
If we perceive technology through the lens of
technological determinism, we cannot weigh the risks or costs
associated with a technology or its benefits. Certain technologies
are used in ways that some people find objectionable or that result
in unintended and sometimes undesirable consequences. And almost
always, technologies are more advantageous for some people, animals,
plants, generations, or purposes, than others. If one views
technology as being outside human control, these considerations may
never come up.
Thoughtful consideration of the technological
advantages and disadvantages is extremely important, therefore,
before a technology is developed. At the same time, we must
recognize that perfectly sensible uses of a technology can sometimes
have undesirable consequences and that these may not show up for
decades or even longer. We may decide, therefore, that not every
possible technological advance-human cloning, for example-should be
pursued. Or, conversely, we may decide a technology should be
developed for the greater good, even though a vocal minority opposes
it. In either case, the decision is ours!
Postman,
N. 1993. Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology.
New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Tenner, E. 1996. Why Things
Bite Back: Technology and the Revenge of Unintended
Consequences. New York: Knopf.
Winner, L. 1977.
Autonomous Technology: Technics-out-of-Control as a Theme in
Political Thought. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.
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