Technology and Social Change
Challenge and Change in Society (HSB4M)
October 22, 2010
Agenda For Today’s Lesson
• What is technology?
• How technology shapes society
• Traditional social change theory vs technological
determinism
• Sources of technological stress
• Coping with technological stress
• Impact on family structure
What is technology?
• Technology is the creation of tools that
extend out natural abilities and alter our
social environment
How does technology shape
society?
• Johnannes Gutenberg invents printing press in
1450. By 1500, 20 million books!
• Rapid spread of knowledge to masses through
books
• Martin Luther used press to lead reformation
against Catholic Church
• Arguably the greatest technological invention in
the modern era
Traditional Social Change Theory
• Individual shares idea with community
• Idea accepted, society changes to adapt to new
idea
• Change in human thinking is accompanied by
new tool
• We shape our tools
Technological determinism
• Invention of tool takes on a life of its own after it
has been introduced to society
• Change is determined by society’s reaction to
the tool
• Tool is accompanied by a change in human
thinking
• Our tools shape us
Which theory do you agree with
and why? Think, Pair, Share
Sources of Technological Stress
• Negative impacts e.g. Internet (cyber
predators and hate propaganda )
• Rate of change of technology
• Overdependence on Technology
Speed of Technology
• 1970, Alvin Toffler, Future Shock “dizzying, disorientation brought on by the
premature arrival of the future.”
• Unless people cope with change in lives,
they’re headed for “massive adaptation
breakdown”
Speed of Technology
• 1998, Stephen Bertman, Hyperculture:
The human cost of speed
• Technological change is eroding
fundamental values of society
• Speed of internet translates to impatience
when dealing with people
Are You a Victim of Technosis?
Yes
No
Do you feel stressed if you haven't checked your voice or e-mail within the last 12 hours?
Yes
No
Do you feel as if you can't cook a meal without technological gadgets?
Yes
No
Do you become upset when you can't find an ATM for quick cash?
Yes
No
Do you have difficulty writing without sitting in front of your computer?
Yes
No
Do you have a hard time determining when you are finished researching a topic on the Internet?
Yes
No
Do you feel less adequate than your highly technologized peers?
Yes
No
Do you rely on pre-programmed systems to contact others?
Overdependence on Technology
• When machines don’t do what we want,
we experience anxiety
• Technosis – Overdependence or
attachment to technology (anxious if not
constantly checking emails and texts)
• Often pressure from boss to respond to
emails instantaneously and at all times
Overdependence on Technology
• Cyber-disorders on the rise, leads to: social
isolation, depression, familial conflict, debt,
job loss
• Current debate to diagnosis internet
addiction as a mental disorder (excessive
gaming, sexual preoccupations, and email/text messaging) in DSM-V (2013)
Coping With Technological Stress
• William Ogburn’s theory of cultural lag:
– Invention
– Discovery
– Diffusion
• Acceptance of new technology hindered by
resistance to change
• Technology
change
destabilized society
• Until society adapts, transition occurs
• “Luddites” oppose technology and create lag
Are there any current technologies in
which you act as a “Luddite” towards?
Why?
I don’t own a cell phone. Does this
make me a Luddite?
McLuhan’s 4 Laws of Media
• Any new medium enhances a process
– Computer improved data computation
• New medium makes another process redundant
– CPU made typewriter irrelevant
• New medium reclaims a process from the past
– Revived reading and spread of ideas (Guttenberg press)
• New medium turns into something new
– Laptop then Blackberry and iPhone
Coping with Technological Stress
• Bertman suggests taking an information
technology sabatical for a week
• Avoid being slaves to machines
• Adbusters Digital Detox Week
Impact on Family Structure
• What decade saw arguably the greatest
impact of technology on family dynamics?
• Post-WWI 1920’s; era of mass culture
– Automobiles, gas stoves, central heating,
electricity, refrigerators, flush toilets, radios
and telephones
Impact on Family Structure
• In 1920’s radio replaced hearth as family
gathering point
• 2010: TV, iPod, internet (surfing, chatting,
emailing, facebook, youtube)
• How has technology changed the family
dynamic?
Change in Social Interactions
• Cell phones, email, texting, online chat have replaced
face to face communication
• Lack of social cues (sarcasm in email)
• Have these omnipresent forms of communication helped
or hindered familial/social interactions?
• Which form of communication do you prefer best to talk
with a family member/friend; texting, phone or face to
face?
“Thumbs up” “Thumbs down”
• We shape our tools rather than our tools shaping us
• Technological change is always positive for society
• Technosis is the fear of new technologies
• The impact of technological change on the family was
most dramatic in the 1940’s
• I would rather text with someone than talk in person