Technological Determinism Study Guide
Technological determinism: Lag
- Technology advances but society lags
- Can be technological, not just social
- Social and political pressures can impose restrictions on technology
- Technology is always pushing forward, while everything else drags behind
- William Ogburn: “`There is often a delay or lag in the adaptive culture after the material culture has changed"' (Nye, p. 26)
- Alvin Toffler ... argued that technological change had accelerated to the point that people could scarcely keep up" (Nye, p. 27)
Technological determinism: Convergence
- Technology creates social and cultural convergence
- Convergence doesn’t always happen
- Technology and use can go down different paths and have unequal effects (remember Levittown)
- Technology advances but society lags
- Can be technological, not just social
- Social and political pressures can impose restrictions on technology
- Technology is always pushing forward, while everything else drags behind
- William Ogburn: “`There is often a delay or lag in the adaptive culture after the material culture has changed"' (Nye, p. 26)
- Alvin Toffler ... argued that technological change had accelerated to the point that people could scarcely keep up" (Nye, p. 27)
Technological determinism: Convergence
- Technology creates social and cultural convergence
- Convergence doesn’t always happen
- Technology and use can go down different paths and have unequal effects (remember Levittown)