Theories of Technological Change

1. Theories of Technological Change

2. What is Technology? • The creation of tools or objects that both extend our natural abilities by making our lives easier and more efficient as well as alter our social environment • Anything to add? Do we like this definition?

3. Technological Determinism Vs. Social Change Theory • TD- See the invention of a particular tool, as taking on a life of its own, once it has been introduced to a society and society simply reacts. Ex. Video Games – Modification in people’s behaviour

4. Technological Determinism Vs. Social Change Theory • SCT- People are masters of their own destiny, change is initiated by the individual. If an individual shares an idea with an individual, if others accept the idea society changes • Ex  Soc  Rise and fall of civilizations (Military) • Ex  Psyc  Innovation drives people to leave their mark on society (FB) (Based of Social-Psychological)

5. CNN: Top 25 Innovations • Groups of 4 • Give me your top 10! • With the top 3 answer these 2 Questions • 1) Is using this technology integral to your life? Why? • 2) If you were unable to access this piece of technology, would it impact your life?

6. CNN 25 • The Internet DNA • Cell Phones Airbags • PCs ATMs • Fibre optics Lithium Batteries • E-mail Hybrid cars • GPS LED, Plasma, HDTV • Laptops Space Shuttle • CD’s Flash Memory • Digital Cameras Hearing Aids

7. Future Shock - Toffler • Describes the shattering stress and disorientation that new technologies induce in individuals by subjecting them to too much change in too short a time. • Toffler argues that society is undergoing an enormous structural change, a revolution from an industrial to a “super industrial society.” • This change will overwhelm people, the accelerated rate of technological and social change leaving them disconnected and suffering from "shattering stress and disorientation" – future shocked. • Big Picture: Concerned with the rapidity of change brought on by technology. If people cannot control the rate of change people are destined for “massive adaptational breakdown” (Cannot adapt to change)

8. Hyperculture - Bertman • Claims that societal change is driven at a staggering rate, largely by technology, such that the fundamental values of society are being blurred • The effect is that we expect everything to be quick & so we lose patience (we want things NOW) • We lose patience even with those we love if they are not quick enough in responding (due to our expectations) • Big Picture: The Fundamental values of society are being blurred. We are becoming impatient and this results in the deterioration of the family where “the virtues of sacrifice and long term commitment, so essential to effective parenthood become rare” i.e. destruction of the family!

9. Technosis - Michelle M. Weil & Larry Rosen • We rely so heavily on machines that when they do not do what we want them to do; we experience heightened levels of anxiety. • Technosis: An overblown dependency or attachment to technology • Today, people diminish their own intelligence in comparison to technology, feeling less able and less capable in comparison to "the machine." Because technology lets us do so much, today we take on too much and end up feeling overwhelmed and never "finished." • We feel invaded by technology on all fronts, by the beeps of our pagers, cell phones, incoming faxes and those of others around us. Our personal and work/school boundaries are blurred and we never feel true "down time" any more. • Big Picture: Technosis- We are unable to cope if we are without our gadgets all the time, could lead to phobias and addiction if technology is taken away!