Technology : An agent of Social Change Making our lives easier everyday!

What is Technology? Technology is the creation of tools or objects that both extend our natural abilities and alter our social environment

Johanne Gutenburg He created the printing press in 1450 This invention took the process of reading out of wealthy circles and monasteries and into the hands of the ordinary people Books became more affordable and became the method of choice when circulating new ideas Martin Luther used the printing press to his advantage in the 1500s when he challenged church doctrine starting off what has come to be known as the Reformation

Reading is good, right? While the printing press brought us many good things it also changed the way we tell stories Memorization and oral recitation begin to lose favour after the printing press The church starts to lose some of its control over the congregation as bibles become more accessible to the public Luther uses the printed word to start the Reformation Aboriginal peoples in Canada have passed their stories on through oral histories for generations

Social Change Theory Social Change Theory looks at the factors contributing to change within the structure of society Social Change Theory looks at the factors contributing to change within the structure of society Change has to start with society and a belief that change is good and warranted Change has to start with society and a belief that change is good and warranted These theories can be broken into three groups: sociological theory, anthropological theory and psychological theory These theories can be broken into three groups: sociological theory, anthropological theory and psychological theory

Traditional Theories on Social Change Traditional theories take the position that change within society is brought about by a myriad of interactions within a society’s framework that begin with the individual person Traditional theories take the position that change within society is brought about by a myriad of interactions within a society’s framework that begin with the individual person Therefore, societal change is initiated by a person to a member of his/her community and if it is accepted the society will adapt to the new idea Therefore, societal change is initiated by a person to a member of his/her community and if it is accepted the society will adapt to the new idea

Technological Determinism Defined as: “The view that social change is initiated by technology and not necessarily by the individual” Defined as: “The view that social change is initiated by technology and not necessarily by the individual” This is contrary to what traditional theorists believe This is contrary to what traditional theorists believe If this is true then new technologies once invented take on “a life of their own” and develop seeing society adapt to changes If this is true then new technologies once invented take on “a life of their own” and develop seeing society adapt to changes

Coping with Technological Change – Not Always for the Positive While we are for the most part eager to accept and use new technological advancements we have to be aware of the negative consequences of these technological advancements While we are for the most part eager to accept and use new technological advancements we have to be aware of the negative consequences of these technological advancements Internet has allowed many people to access useful information but has also allowed easy access to porn sites, hate sites and other dangerous sites on the web that parents don’t want their children seeing Internet has allowed many people to access useful information but has also allowed easy access to porn sites, hate sites and other dangerous sites on the web that parents don’t want their children seeing

Running to Keep Up! Another stressor of technological change is the feeling that we “can’t keep up” with what is new Another stressor of technological change is the feeling that we “can’t keep up” with what is new Alvin Toffler describe this idea as “future shock” or the “dizzying disorientation brought on by the premature arrival of the future” Alvin Toffler describe this idea as “future shock” or the “dizzying disorientation brought on by the premature arrival of the future” Many believe that technological change is happening so fast that the fundamental values of society are becoming blurred Many believe that technological change is happening so fast that the fundamental values of society are becoming blurred Many also see the “click of a mouse” having an effect on society’s patience as we now cannot wait for the simplest of daily tasks Many also see the “click of a mouse” having an effect on society’s patience as we now cannot wait for the simplest of daily tasks

Overdependence on Technology Society has grown so dependent on technology that when it doesn’t work we feel tremendous anxiety (Weil and Rosen) Society has grown so dependent on technology that when it doesn’t work we feel tremendous anxiety (Weil and Rosen) What did we do before these technologies? What did we do before these technologies? *life sustaining

Social Isolation Addictive use of the internet can lead to social isolation, increased depression, academic failure, financial debt of job loss (Kimberly Young) Addictive use of the internet can lead to social isolation, increased depression, academic failure, financial debt of job loss (Kimberly Young) Societies have relied on social interaction for centuries to survive, what happens if this element is taken out of our lives? Societies have relied on social interaction for centuries to survive, what happens if this element is taken out of our lives?

Cultural Lag Theory William Ogden believes that acceptance of a new technology follows a three-phase process William Ogden believes that acceptance of a new technology follows a three-phase process Stage One: Invention – combining elements and materials to form new ones Stage One: Invention – combining elements and materials to form new ones Stage Two: Discovery – discovering a new way of viewing reality Stage Two: Discovery – discovering a new way of viewing reality Stage Three: Diffusion – the spread of a discovery from one area to another Stage Three: Diffusion – the spread of a discovery from one area to another People who oppose new technologies are often called “luddites” after a secret society whose goal it was to destroy new textile machines during the early years of the Industrial Revolution

Is T.V. really that great an invention? Before television families often listened to the radio or played games together – this promoted dialogue and family interaction Before television families often listened to the radio or played games together – this promoted dialogue and family interaction TVs have not only changed the way we interact but the way our house is set up – how many people have a room in their house that is centred around the television? TVs have not only changed the way we interact but the way our house is set up – how many people have a room in their house that is centred around the television?

Life in front of a computer What do you think would happen to an individual that spends all day in front of a computer devoid of human contact? What do you think would happen to an individual that spends all day in front of a computer devoid of human contact? What types of skills would they lack in their every day lives? What types of skills would they lack in their every day lives?

Top 10 What do you think are the top 10 Technological advancements in history according to their impact on human society? What do you think are the top 10 Technological advancements in history according to their impact on human society?

Journal Article Respond Our current dependence on technology, while it enhances our lives in many respects, is decidedly negative. It degrades social interaction, leads to the loss of important skills, and causes the social, emotional and physical pollution of our environment. What are your thoughts?