التكنولوجيا واملجتمع: مساق
Chapter 2:
Winners and Losers: The Differential Effects of Technological
Change
: 2الفصل
اآلثار المتفاوتة للتغير التكنولوجي: الفائزون والخاسرون
1
2016/2015الفصل الدرايس الثاين
Introduction
Traditional factors of production
Land, Labor, and Capital
did not adequately explain the actual record of economic
growth
There is no denying technology’s positive consequences:
Technological change is a major source of economic growth
organization and skill are integral parts of technology
Technological development has:
Boosted the production of goods and services
Created new products
Improved the quality of existing ones
2
Technology as a Subversive Force
Technological development has not been cost-free.
Myths about technology:
it can work its wonders without altering existing social
arrangements
technological solutions to problems are less painful than political or
social solutions
It is a truism that a particular technology can be used for either good
or evil purposes:
explosives to build a road good
terrorist uses them for roadside bombs evil
Technological change is often a subversive process that results in themodification or destruction of established social roles, relationships,
and values
3
Technology as a Subversive Force (cont..)
Disruptive مدمر effects of technological change:
Can be either small in scope or massive
For example: in economic field
can lead to the destruction of obsolete firms: Pony Express:
Telegraph wires & Telephone
Typesetting vs. Computers
Internet Phone vs. Telephone
Many new industries and individual firms owe their existence to
the emergence of a new technology (rapid growth of computer manufacturing)
4
Technology as a Subversive Force (cont..)
Concerns about the disruptive effects of technological change are
not new:
fulminations against the first railroads in 1835
could easily criticize this reactionary view by noting how the railroad stimulated economic development and produced
many social benefits
Technological changes, both major and minor, often lead to a
restructuring of power relations, the redistribution of wealth and
income, and an alteration of human relationships
5
Some examples of the Effects of
Technological Change
The experiences of the Yir Yoront,
a group of Australian aboriginals (Paleolithic people)
highest technological achievement was the stone axe
a considerable amount of materials and skill went into their production
Axe tied to gender identity—only men possessed axe.
Axe had an important symbolic value
Introduction of steel axe by missionaries- men, women & children got axes
Men lost distinct identity, culture began to disintegrate
Demise of Yir Yoront not only tied to the axe, BUT the axe is a good symbol for the
new world and technology imposing itself on traditional aboriginal peoples
6
Some examples of the Effects of
Technological Change
Technological advance has fatally disrupted modern communities and the
people living in them:
Example?
Many places of employment have closed down as new products and processes
have replaced old ones.
Technological advances may have benefited society as a whole, but at
great cost to the people who were immediately affected.
Technological changes do not always result in the destruction or modification
of an existing social order; sometimes they may help to preserve it:
How?
7
Groups can and do defend themselves against technological change:
China:
Silk industry: (pre 1850’s) manually unwound silkworm cocoons.
Jardine Matheson trading company (Britain) seeks to use steam powered
machinery to reel silk.
Although faster, not successful because of opposition from Silk Makers
Guild.
9
The Luddites:
England- Ned Lud a stocking maker who smashed stocking frames.
Luddites- different groups who smashed machines, but began in
hosiery trade.
Hosiery trade- wanted to use wider frames to make more hosiery for
less money.
Allowed for use of less skilled (cheaper) labor. Workers objected.
Also—bad harvest led to increase in food costs. Workers pay wasn’t
meeting their basic needs: Rebellion تمرد.
Fear of unemployment because of technological change, not
intrinsic fear of machinery.
Machinery was target for aggression (عنف/عدوان).
Worker Protest(معارضة) eventually took more peaceful forms—e.g. unions were established.
Luddite: anyone opposed to modern technology and its extensions.
10
What Technology Can and Cannot Do
Why is there such a gulf between social progress and technological
progress?
"If we can put a man on the moon, why can’t we…?"
The Technological Fix
Technology used to attempt solutions for many problems.
Heroin addiction: development of Methadone and now "cocaine
vaccine"
Car Accidents: seat belt and air bags.
Graffiti on public property: stronger chemicals to resist paint.
YET, none of these technological solutions address underlying social
factors
11
Why Can’t Technology Fix It? Social problems are fundamentally different from technological problems.
Goals for technology usually clear and unambiguous: how do you assemble a car.
Goals for society : many different ways to "solve poverty."
Social problems- causes are manifold, human motivation and behavior are key
factor.
Technological solutions work best in closed system—no outside factors to interfere.
When problem cannot be easily isolated: technological solution less likely to be
effective.
BESIDES, No problem, technological or otherwise is ever really solved.
"Solution" to one problem creates new problems.
Artificial hearts help sustain life BUT:
expensive
aging population needs to be cared for
issues of morality
Internet security
12
The Appeal of Technocracy
Despite limitations, groups (Technocrats) still attempt to convert social problems into technological ones.
Scientific Management Theory (Early 20th Century).
Frederick Taylor- Metallurgical engineer. (2)
Time and motion study: how many motions should it take to complete a job?
Managers determine amount of motions needed and workers follow unreservedly.
Workers benefit because they don’t waste time & managers benefit from higher yields.
Workers paid piecemeal, not wages & since workers are efficient they’ll earn more.
Taylor: extend this theory everywhere, homes as well as workplaces.
Lenin (Russia) – Taylor admirer.
Work and Monopoly Capitalism: Critique
13