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Who were the "Luddites" and what was the Luddite rebellion?
- "People who resist technology" - Took the name from Ned Ludlow (legend of hammers to machine) - Not opposed to technology, but just the type of conditions that they technology left workers in such as not being able to afford food and not getting paid enough
What are some ways that individuals and social groups have resisted technological change?
- "Service Core" (pre-built kitchen, bathroom, and utility room) failed because local plumbers and electricians refused to install them - To fight back the would disassemble and then reassemble them and then installing which would cost a lot of money - Silk factories in china failed due to high prices for cocoons and restrictions on farmers selling to factories - The guilds basically refused to sell silk to the factories, but the individuals that did charged a lot
How have robots and automation impacted employment? Is their impact limited to the manufacturing sector?
- Computers can be used to automate the manufacturing process through scheduling and timing controls - Expenses, efficiency and malfunctions generally fall under human control - Many areas are still focusing on individualized, personal experience
What is the cultural/ media studies approach?
- Era of capitalism where technology and products are designed and sold for consumers and individuals - With what we buy, we make statements about who we are (brands and images play a big role in our society) - Focus on process of consumption and cultural meanings/ symbols and more than just the economic values
What is the semiotic approach?
- How are meanings developed? - How designers create meanings about the use of technology and how the user needs to be configured, and this is when they create the technology
What is the impact of technological development on agricultural and manufacturing sectors? Similar impacts in the service and information sectors? Why or why not?
- Intro to machinery in manufacturing sector eliminated many workers but increased output - It will not lead to fewer jobs as long as the demand for goods and services increases at the same pace as productivity increases - Service and information sectors are generally safe because they incorporate a personal element which cannot be replaced
How does the contribution of power in society affect the development of technology?
- It doesn't proceed, according to its own momentum. Strongly influenced by existing social and political arrangements - Investments made in research and development influence this - They don't stand or fall on their natural/ essential merits
Does new technology always modify existing social arrangements, or can it ever help to preserve them?
- McCormick reaper was used to maintain the status quo and prevent unions from organizing iron workers - The new machine did not reduce costs or create a better product, it was simply implemented to eliminate skilled workers of the Union of Iron workers - the molding machines allowed management to replace skilled workers with unskilled ones
What are the different categories of non-users?
- Rejectors: used to use, not any more - Resistors: haven't used, because of its use or they just don't want to - People without access (lack of money or resources) - Expelled: people with former access, but don't anymore, involuntarily
What are technological fixes? How successful are they? What are their weaknesses are drawbacks?
- Technological fixes: the application of technological solutions to problems that are non-technical in nature - Even if tech works, we may not understand the mechanism by which the technology produces the desired change - Produce uneven results (what works for some might not work for others) - Only eliminates or deals with symptoms of problem not root - While the root causes may not be eliminated, the alleviation of the problem is likely to cost less than if non-tech solutions were used
Is technology change good for everyone or are there some who lost out when technology advances?
- The development of technology usually has some disruptive effects - Changes in technology lead to a restructuring of power relationships, redistribution of wealth and income, and an alteration of human relationships - Yir Yoront and Steel Axes: How having an axe meant great status in the village, but after immigrants came over, everyone had an steel axe - Caliente, Nevada and the Transcontinental Railroad: When the steam locomotive was replaced by the diesel- electric locomotive, they needed less servicing - When they did require servicing they were sent to larger centralized repair shops. The smaller ones were eliminated which destroyed the main economic base of the town
What is technological determinism?
- Trying to understand technological change as occurring largely as a self-contained process - Technology is created with certain requirements, features, etc. but society determines its use
What is feminism/ the feminist theory?
- Women's activities and participation has gone unstudied and we don't realize how big gender roles play - Women's roles has primarily been as consumers and users
What is Technocracy?
- governing of society by engineers and people with experience
What are technological fixes? How successful are they? What are their weaknesses and drawbacks?
A technological fix is the application of technology to problems that are non-technological in nature. i.e. Using methadone to break addictions to heroin, air bags to reduce consequences of unsafe driving, diet pills to fight weight gain, new paint to thwart graffiti artists. They are not very successful as they only address one cause, do not address the many underlying causes of the societal problem. Changing human behavior is difficult and they will often resist attempts to change their behavior. Technological fixes are best in a closed system- when the problem being addressed can be isolated from outside influences. No problem is ever really "solved", often present new problems i.e. organ transplants and mechanical organs create new problems such as will treatments be rationed, who will pay for these treatments, is it moral to use resources to extend an aging persons life, aging population will require shift in economy, society, and culture.
What is Social Construction of Technology (SCOT)?
A view that argues that society and technology affect the development of each other (co-constructed)
How have robotics and automation impacted employment? Is their impact limited to the manufacturing sector?
Automation is increasingly eliminating jobs in manufacturing as they become faster and more versatile, however they are very expensive which is slowing down the implementation of them in many factories. Also, humans are better at dealing with odd sizes or tight tolerances, and humans will need to clean up the mess and repair the robots. However, automation probably wont reach the service industry anytime soon as people are increasingly seeking out a personal element.
What did Marx mean when he said that capitalism created a state of alienation for most workers?
Becoming removed from the job and its enjoying features because of separation of stages Workers had lost control over creativity and their own labor
What is the relationship between printing and literacy? What explains the differences in the impact printing had in Europe and in Asia (i.e., Korea)?
Before mass printing very few people knew how to read as they had little time or desire to, especially since books were rare. Because people didn't know how to read they developed the ability to memorize a lot of information, including long poems, using mnemonic devices. As printing increased, literacy increased with it. Printing developed in Asia in the 4th century as the Chinese began to use paper rubbings. By the 7th century they were using wood carvings to produce books. Koreans developed metal type in the 14th century. Europe used wood blocks to print playing cards in the early 1400's. Johann Gutenberg developed the printing press in the 1400's, drastically increasing the amount of stuff printed. Europe placed an emphasis on Bible reading which led to higher literacy rates. This made their economy stronger, increasing the need for more printing for trade agreements and such. In Korea the aristocracy clung to Chinese letters that only they could understand, limiting the audience for printing.
What is the process of deskilling?
Break down complicated processes into smaller, simpler tasks repeated over and over Management has greater power: worker can quit because anyone can replace job
What is the process of deskilling?
Breaking up production into smaller tasks, with each worker performing a limited task requiring less skill
What are the features of the era of informationalism ushered in by the internet?
Came to fruition with diffusion of transistor, PC, and telecommunications; now have an information economy in which computers and internet play an essential enabling role; 4 main features: 1. driving role of science and technology for economic growth 2. shift from material production to info processing 3. emergence and expansion of new forms of networked industrial organization 4. rise of socioeconomic globalization
Some have hypothesized that the internet has had effects on the way people think; what are they?
Carr argues that the internet has made it harder for us to sit down and read a long article or long book. He also argues that it effects the way we do research as many people simply scan the article rather than reading and digesting the article.
What role did the development of the clock play in changing people's conceptions of work?
Defined a set work time, allowed for specific timing of procedures that Taylor did. No longer get up when it's bright and go to bed when its dark, defined by times. Allowed for shift work as well. Precise timing of work activities. Mechanically paced way's of doing things. Time became a commodity, time became money.
What is the process of deskilling?
Deskilling is the process of being able to hire people with less skills to reduce costs. No longer need artisans/people with special skills to manufacture products. Technology allows people with no skills to do same work. Also increased managers control of workers as they longer depended on skilled artisans.
How does the distribution of power in society affect the development of technology?
Development of technology strongly influenced by existing social and political arrangements; technology may be advanced because doing so advances a particular group's interests, or a technology may be resisted because it threatens a group's interests; development of technology and decision to develop/deploy often shaped by distribution of power in a society; influenced by investments (past 60 years, 90% of non-medical research expenditures in U.S. went to Department of Defense, NASA, and Atomic Energy Commission
What are the main features of the era of Informationalism?
Driving role of science and technology for economic growth Shift from material production to information processing Emergence and expansion of new forms of networked industrial organization Rise of socioeconomic globalization
What impact did printing have on exploration, science, learning and religion?
Exploration: more accurate map making stimulated Age of Exploration Science: scientists able to gain new insights/knowledge because printing created an intellectual feedback system that helped eliminate errors and inaccuracies in data Learning: students/scientists didn't have to waste time copying texts or memorizing, they were able to devote energies entirely to the pursuits of knowledge Religion: allowed people to better study religious texts and form their own ideas/opinions, and they were better able to mobilize against the church by finding others with similar opinions
According to an examination of academic research, the greater availability of texts and academic sources on the internet is leading to a wider variety of sources being consulted and cited in research. True or false?
False
While automation is working to eliminate a wider array of jobs, jobs involving specialized knowledge, such as diagnosing medical patients or teaching college students, are pretty much safe from elimination due to automation. True or false?
False
How has the internet impacted society? How has it changed the nature of community?
Geography and distance doesn't play a role anymore in connecting with people who have the same interests, hobbies, etc. as you They work like "real" communities, with different personalities and levels of activity
What were the psychological impacts of printing?
Greater sense of one's separateness from the rest of society Fosters thinking in sequence as well as promotes an egocentric view of the world Perspective and the rules that govern it exploded after printing took hold
Was the factory system an inevitable consequence of the development of steam power, as some have suggested?
History of industrial technologies indicates similar tech. could support a wide variety of arrangements Independent workshops used steam engines to power looms or craftsman could rent workspaces connected to a centralized engine
What are some of the ways that individuals and social groups have resisted technological change?
In the 1940's plumbers and electrician's refused to install "service cores"- pre built kitchen bathroom units. After 9 months of deliberations it was decided that they would take apart and rebuild these service cores- essentially rendering them useless and putting the service core manufacturer out of business. When a british manufacturer built a modern factory that used steam powered equipment to reel silk but soon went out of business. The silk makers guild prevented most cocoon suppliers from supplying the factory and those that did sold them at high prices, maintaining their way of doing things.
Some have argued that the internet has ushered in a new age of informationalism. What are the main features of this era? (consult the Warschauer article)
Informationalism began in the 1970's with the diffusion of the transistor, the pc, and telecommunications. Four features- shift from material processing to information processing, driving role of technology and science for economic growth, emergence and expansion of new forms of networked industrial organization, rise of socioeconomic globalization.
How has the internet impacted the concept of "intellectual property"?
Internet users now freely share copyrighted software, music, films, tv shows, and books. This is forcing may of these "information industries" to rethink their business models.
What role did the development of the clock play in changing people's conceptions of work?
Labor became repetitious, narrowly specialized, radically simplified, and paced by the machine and time Greater efficiency, less time per assembly, only need low-wage unskilled worker
Who were the "Luddites" and what was the Luddite rebellion?
Luddites were textile workers that smashed machines that threatened their livelihood. England was under a blockade so a bad economy coupled with possibility of losing jobs sent people over the edge. They set owners houses on fire and smashed machines. Took 12,000 british troops to quell the rebellion, leaders were executed and others sent to Australia. Only in a few instances were machines directly attacked.
Who were the "Luddites" and what was the Luddite Rebellion?
Luddites were workers in England's textile industry in early 1800s; rebellion was in response to many circumstances such as low wages, resentment of employers, trade depression, increasing cost of food (wages insufficient to meet basic needs), and fear of new technology; workers revolted, sometimes smashing new machines
How has technological development impacted the workplace experience of white-collar workers?
Managers can now spy on what their workers are doing on their computers to make sure that they are being productive. Phone service reps are monitored to determine average working time and how long their phone calls take. 20 million workers are subject to electronic eavesdropping. Computers give top management access to information that previously only lower managers had access to. This lowers the chance that lower managers will make decisions as they could be subject to second guessing by superiors. Technology has been more beneficial to men than women. High level positions in data management in the insurance industry are almost entirely male while clerical positions are almost all women. In the IRS technological development has eliminated mid level jobs that presented opportunities for advancement for female workers. New technologies can reflect or reinforce existing divisions in a labor market. Telecommuting more and more popular.
How has technological development impacted the workplace experience of white-collar workers?
Managers have greater opportunities for spying on workers and constantly monitoring their performance Reskilling occurs, to train people on new technologies/computers Workers' personal characteristics also affect the technologies used
What is deindustrialization?
Manufacturing jobs have been shifted to developing nations, leaving an economy that is more and more oriented toward information products and the service sector
What is deindustrialization?
Manufacturing jobs shifting from developed nations to developing nations, leaving behind an economy that is more and more focused on the information products and service sector. The service sector is the fastest growing sector of the economy.
What did Marx mean when he said that capitalism created a state of alienation for most workers?
Marx described alienation where workers were separated from what defined them, work. Work was no longer an activity for them to exercise their ability to be creative, that which gave them satisfaction and pride, but is now a form of drudgery, just something that they have to do like it or not.
What are the pros and cons of telecommuting?
More easily distracted at home, more isolation so less solidarity, no face-to-face interactions More productivity in familiar location, no time restrictions, less stressful
How has the internet impacted society? How has it changed the nature of community?
More information, more news sources, instant communication have all revolutionized the way we receive and send information. Communities are also no longer geography based. People can form communities now based on shared interests rather than location.
How has technology impacted the amount of time spent on work, and the way that work is scheduled?
More regular and precisely scheduled process, as well as the implementation of shift work, where workers labored at unsociable hours Workers had to work at the pace demanded by the machinery, which was frenetic and unvarying
Was the factory system an inevitable consequence of the development of steam power, as some have suggested?
No, the use of steam power did not always require concentrated factories. In the Coventry Ribbon industry workers shared steam power that went to their individual looms in their own workshops. In Sheffield and Birmingham workers could rent out areas that were connected to a steam engine. Centralizing work in factories was motivated by controlling and disciplining workers as much as for technological considerations.
Was the factory system an inevitable consequence of the development of steam power, as some have suggested?
Not necessarily. Alternative arrangements are possible, like individual workshops sharing a single steam engine
How involved is U.S. government in R&D? Why does the government provide the bulk of funding for basic scientific research?
Often directly involved through funding; business won't invest in research because there's no guarantee of immediate return on investment
What is the relationship between printing and literacy? What explains the differences in the impact printing had in Europe and in Asia?
Once printing became cheaper to do and able to mass produce works, literacy rose Reciting from memory was done instead of reading (cheaper, always available) Korea created metal type but social conditions limited its influence there Europe's social and cultural conditions created a strong demand for print technology while also having advances make mass production easier
How has technology impacted the amount of time spent on work, and the way that work is scheduled?
People moved from their home based work areas to factories- no longer self-employed artisans. Industrialization created a society of employees. It made sense to constantly use sources of energy (such as water wheel) which led to development of shift work (workers working all around the day, even at night). This was a huge shift from when guilds prohibited work in the dark. Also, machines dictated the pace of the work. Work was also unsatisfying as it did not require any special skills.
How has the internet contributed to the growth of problems like addiction to pornography?
People now have much easier access to a large amount of porn on the internet, contributing to the growth of porn addiction. This can also be said for other types of internet addictions.
Some have hypothesized that the internet has had effects on the way people think, what are they?
People read much slower and have much shorter attention spans; people look for snippets of information rather than reading an entire article or book
Some have hypothesized that the internet has had effects on the way people think; what are they?
People seem to always need to be connected or tethered People have the expectation that they will be able to talk to you whenever they want We tend to pay more attention to the people who are not present (when texting) than the people who are in front of us It has changed the nature of community, when a group of people who like the same thing can now be found online Peoples sense of security is now greater with threats such as not knowing who you are talking to online It has also affected different languages, such as in texting
What impact did printing have on exploration, science, learning, and religion?
Printing allowed for widespread dissemination of maps and exploration accounts. Maps could be double checked leading to more accurate maps and safer travel. This also motivated explorers to fill in the gaps on maps, ushering in the age of exploration. In science, printing established a feedback system and eliminated errors and inaccuracies. Printing also allowed the dissemination of theories, perceptions, and interpretations. In learning, students no longer had to spend time copying texts and could entirely devote their energy to knowledge. Printing allowed the protestant reformation to begin as religious ideas could be more easily spread. The desire/need to read the bible also increased literacy rates. This also led to the consolidation of languages as the Bible was often only printed in certain dialects- leading to a sense of a nation instead of cities and towns.
How did industrialism change the process of work and people's experiences in the workplace?
Prior to industrialism people were involved in the two spheres of work, conceptualization and execution. Factories separated the two spheres for workers as they were no longer involved in the conceptualization and simply did what their managers told them to do, execution.
What are the pros and cons of telecommuting?
Pros- can work at companies further away, employers can still spy Cons- easier to be distracted, work becomes more isolating, mobilizing workers to challenge managerial decisions is harder when not seeing co workers face to face.
What are the different categories of non-user?
Resisters have never used the technology because they do not want to. Rejecters are former users who reject the technology by choice. Expelled are former users that stop using the technology not by their choice. Excluded are those that cannot get access to the technology.
What are the different categories of non-user?
Resistors, Excluded, Rejecters, and Expelled
How have robotics and automation impacted employment? Is their impact limited to manufacturing sector?
Routine engineering and drafting work now done by CAD, and products can be built by CAM systems; computers can automate manufacturing process by scheduling production, directing flow of parts, and keeping things under control; robotics are basis for more flexible manufacturing systems; impact not limited to manufacturing, in service sectors (like offices) increasingly automated/computer process used to alleviate stress of workers
How did industrialism change process of work and people's experiences in the workplace?
Separated stages of conceptualization (now done by few) and execution, making work less satisfying and turning it into drudgery; factories started having shift work and a required amount of work for each employee to do; employees had to follow pace of machines
How has technological development impacted workplace experience of white-collar workers?
Some argue it has increased skill requirements; given managers greater opportunities for spying on workers and constantly monitoring their performance; computers give top management access to info previously only available to lower management (removes important source of their power, less willing to take risks/make decisions); more beneficial to male employees than females; increased number of workers who work from home
What were the psychological impacts of printing?
Some argue that it has led to ones seperateness from the rest of society- reading is a solitary activity. Reading also makes the reader think in sequence- from left to right. Egocentric view of the world because the reader's involvement with the printed word is solitary and private. Reading also encourages a single point of view. This can be seen in art as post printing art began depicting scenes from a single point, known as perspective. Pre printing era did not condition people to see the world as it might appear from a single vantage point.
What are some of the ways individuals and social groups have resisted technological change?
Strikes, working exactly to code, not using technology as directed, destroying new technology
Who was Frederick Winslow Taylor? What were the basic principles of Scientific Management (a.k.a. Taylorism)?
Taylor believed rational, scientific methods could be used to maximize efficiency of each process; stipulated precise organization of work activities (these procedures never to be left to workers' discretion); task managers assigned to workers specifies what to do, how to do it, and how much time is allowed to do it; technical specialists/management made all instructions an did all planning and decision-making, workers did as instructed
Who was Frederick Winslow Taylor? What were the basic principles of scientific management (aka Taylorism)?
Taylor envisioned a way to measure and time workers movements to increase the productivity of the factory. Turn the workforce into a machine. Scientific management dictated the precise timing and motions of work activities to increase the productivity of the factory. Taylorism can never be fully implemented as factories still depend on some skilled workers. Machines breakdown and have their own quirks, not everything can be planned by engineers and management that are separated from the execution of work.
Who was Frederick Winslow Taylor? What were the basic principles of scientific management (aka Taylorism)?
Technical specialist who implemented elaborate systems that removed all vestiges of worker control in the production process Precise organization of work activities, and these procedures were never to be left to workers' discretion Timing for every single step/process in machines and human operations Couldn't completely convert because always chance of failure
What are: technological determinism, SCOT, feminism, semiotic approach, cultural/media studies approach?
Technological Determinism- Technology develops according to technical requirements of technology (separate from society), then effects society. Technology is seen as neutral. SCOT- "social construction of technology"- Social construction of technology argues that technology and society affect the development of each other, co constructed. Development of technology is not simple or linear. Feminism- Perspective that tries to understand the role that gender plays in our society. Intersectionality- How gender intersects with persons age/race/sexuality Semiotic Approach- concerned with how meanings are approached and how users approach meaning. Configuring the user- configure the user to use technology (male contraceptive pill). Often use "I" methodology- use themselves as user. Cultural/Media Studies- When you buy something you are making a cultural statement about who you are. ("greasers" and "freaks"). "Out of the Shadows"- The idea of the user can be more important than the actual user. People still use TRS computer and develop technology despite being discontinued for 30 years (nostalgia, identity).
Is technological change good for everyone? Or are there some who lose out when technology advances?
Technological change is not always good for everyone. Internet benefits those that have it and hurts those that do not. Yir Yoront getting steel axes turned the society upside down. Caliente, NV became a ghost town as trains improved (steam to diesel-electric), no longer needed this city as a service stop. Pretty much their whole economy depended on railroad. These changes were beneficial to society as a whole but at great cost to those that are immediately affected.
What has been the impact of technological development on employment in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors? Is the application of new technologies likely to have similar impacts on the service and information sectors of the economy? Why or why not?
Technological development has eliminated many jobs in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors while increasing output in these sectors. While the application of new technologies does eliminate jobs on the surface it can also create new jobs indirectly. Locomotive engineer, X ray technician, genetic engineer, GPS technician, and web page designer did not exist a long time ago. Therefore it does not immediately seem like new technologies will have the same effect on service and information sectors of the economy. Service sector jobs require a personal element. People aren't willing to lose personal element for increased productivity.
Does new technology always modify existing social arrangements, or can it ever help to preserve them?
Technology can help to preserve existing social arrangements. McCormick reaper manufacturing plant adopted pneumatic molding plants. These were not added to improve speed or the product, in fact they produced a worse, more expensive product. However, they were bought to eliminate skilled workers that were challenging management, maintained status quo. Machines were removed 3 years later after serving purpose.
How does the distribution of power in society affect the development of technology?
Technology does not develop due to its own momentum. Technology may be developed to advance a groups interested or be resisted because it threatens a certain group. Development of technology is influenced by investments in research and development. Therefore big corporations and the government have a lot of influence over what is developed. 90% of non-medical research expenditures administered by 3 agencies- DOD, NASA, and Atomic Energy Commission.
What is the global cultural impact of the internet?
The world's languages are changing, with texts and emails being sent using mixed or blended languages Widening of the global and economic gap between developed and developing nations
How has the internet impacted the concept of "intellectual property"?
Users freely share (often illegally) copyrighted software, music, etc. as well as forcing industries to rethink business models Laws have little to no effect because one sole entity does not own the internet
What is the global cultural impact of the internet?
Users that don't use a latin alphabet have had to adapt their writing when using programs that don't have the correct encoding. Even languages that use tildes and what not have a tough time typing emails or web posts. Portugal has changed their official form of their language to Brazilian Portuguese because of the number of Brazilian Portuguese users on the internet.
How has the internet contributed to the growth of problems like addiction to porn?
Widely available, cheap, easy to access, thousands of different kinds Used to go to movie theatres or specialty shops, expensive
What impact did printing have on exploration, science, learning, and religion?
Widespread dissemination of maps and exploration accounts, making them more accurate and less dangerous, which led to an age of exploration Intellectual feedback system eliminated errors and inaccuracies, as well as the spread of theories and ideas No time spent copying texts or memorizing facts, instead sole pursuit of knowledge Protestantism thrived on spread of beliefs through printed works as well as encouragement of literacy through Bible requirements
How did industrialism change the process of work and people's experiences in the workplace?
Work was often unsatisfying with only the most meager skills being required Most machines were designed so that the required skills inhered in the machine, not in the worker who ran it
What is deindustrialization?
a process by which manufacturing jobs have been shifted to developing countries, leaving an economy more and more oriented toward information products and service sector
In what ways does government impact the development and spread of technology?
allocating funding to certain areas, being more or less open to information sharing
What are the pros and cons of telecommuting?
allows people to work without being distracted by coworkers and to avoid long commutes; some find themselves more easily distracted at home, work can become more isolating, and mobilizing co-workers to resist/challenge management is more difficult
What are technological fixes? How successful are they? What are their weaknesses and drawbacks?
application of technological solutions to problems that are non-technical in nature; success varies; even if a technological fix "works" we may not know the mechanism by which the technology produces the change, especially if used in conjunction with other treatments; technological fixes produce uneven results; technological fixes only eliminate/deal with the symptoms of a problem, doesn't get at roots of problem; while root causes aren't eliminated, technological fixes tend to cost less than if non-technical solutions were used
Google and Taylor's 'scientific management' have all of the following in common EXCEPT: a) a focus on finding the One Best Way to accomplish a specific task b) enhancing individuality and creativity c) an emphasis on efficiency d) using rational, calculated means to achieve targeted goals e) NONE of the above -- both Google and Taylorism have ALL of these in common
b
As noted in the article and podcast from Assignment 4, the way we think: a) is hard-wired into our brain b) develops in infancy/early childhood, at which point it stabilizes and "hardens" c) is learned, therefore can be changed d) develops differently in every person
c
Scholars who examined the computer logs of some popular research sites found that: a) there was no difference in the way people conduct online research compared to the way users of libraries conduct their research. b) users frequently, but not always, would visit every page of an online article (suggesting they are actually reading the whole thing). c) users rarely spend much time on any given article, instead skimming and bouncing from one to another. d) visitors to these sites differed in that they spent more time on a page than the average internet users who visit non-academic, non-research sites.
c
What are negative externalities?
costs associated with problems caused by technologies that aren't included in the price of the product
What were the psychological impacts of printing?
created greater sense of one's separateness from the rest of society (reading is solitary activity), fosters mode of thinking in sequence, encourages single POV (perspective)
Performing library searches that lead us to read lots of different sources (some of which may only be tangentially related to our topic), then reflecting on what we've read, and coming up with new connections and deeper insight: a) is an example of the inefficiency of traditional, pre-internet methods of doing research. b) characterizes the way most research is done today. c) is something that can now be accomplished better by Googling. d) describes the process known as 'marinating'.
d
The impact of technology on inequality, as discussed by Warshcauer, appears to be one in which: a) inequality is rising steadily within countries, but the gap between countries is beginning to narrow. b) inequality is decreasing in rich countries and rising in poor countries, but the overall effect has been a dramatic widening of the gap between rich and poor countries. c) inequality is gradually declining both within countries and between them d) the gap between rich and poor is growing within many countries (rich and poor), while at the same time the gap between rich countries and poor countries is widening.
d
The materials from Assignment 4 suggest that the internet is: a) leading us to think in linear, sequential ways, much as printing did. b) promoting more "deep" reading and contemplation instead of just browsing. c) making it easier for people to read than in the past. d) making it harder for us to concentrate when reading longer texts.
d
Warshcauer argues we are in the midst of the 3rd industrial revolution. While the first industrial revolution rested on steam engines and machinery, and the second was pushed by electricity and the factory system, this third industrial revolution is characterized by: a) retail services, commercialism and the proliferation of department stores. b) the PC, virtual reality, and an economy dominated by dot.com businesses which have replaced the traditional department store. c)telecommunications, the PC, and an increasingly hierarchical authority structure of the business organization. d) the PC and electronics, the office, and less hierarchical, horizontal organizational networks.
d
Which of the following is NOT one of the impacts of robotics and automation today, according to the article from Assignment 3? a) Replacement of jobs paying middle-class wages with jobs that pay less b) Falling prices for industrial robots c) Elimination of many white-collar office and professional jobs in the service sector d) Technology's inability to keep up with changing human needs will lead to the growth of high-paying professional jobs in areas like healthcare, transportation, finance and human resources e) None of the above
d
How has the internet contributed to the growth of problems like porn addiction?
didn't necessarily create addiction, but has provided so much access that the addiction can impact daily life
Strategies to reduce accidents and injuries due to distracted pedestrians on cellphones have included all of the following EXCEPT: a) ticketing distracted pedestrians for jaywalking b) apps that flash warnings on phone screens to look up when pedestrians approach intersections c) hiring guards to protect texting pedestrians from cars d) urban planning responses, including reduced speeds for cars and more pedestrian-only streets e) NONE of the above, they are ALL strategies being used to deal with cellphone distraction among pedestrians
e
Feminist theory
focuses on role of gender (focused attention on the user of technology)
Cultural/media studies approach
idea that obtaining technology is more than just an economic exchange; technology conveys meaning about identity
What has been the impact of technological development on employment in agricultural and manufacturing sectors? Is application of new technology likely to have similar impacts on service and information sectors of the economy? Why or why not?
in agriculture, more advanced technology means increasingly fewer workers are needed; in manufacturing, the introduction of machinery eliminated many workers, while at the same time increasing manufacturing output; not likely to have similar effects in service/info sector because these jobs have a "personal" touch that's difficult to replace
How has technology impacted the amount of time spent on work, and the way that work is scheduled?
increased amount of time people could work (pre-industrialization, workers limited by guild policies on how long they could work); steam engines/water wheels were expensive capital, so they weren't shut off, instead shift work was introduced and workers were scheduled around the clock
What is the global cultural impact of the internet?
increases gap between developed and developing nations without access to the internet; impacted world's languages (especially written forms) because internet is optimized for English
How has the internet impacted society? How has it changed the nature of community?
more ways to stay informed, wealth of info available, revolutionized communication methods; allowed formation of online communities connected by common interests which didn't have to share geographical location
How is it that regulatory agencies may end up being "captured" by the industries they're supposed to regulate?
officials may end up going "soft" in order to gain favors and make good relationships because they'll probably end up being hired by those industries after leaving office
How important is politics and political influence in R&D?
often times, lobbyists can impact what projects get R&D financing by having relationships with government officials
What is the relationship between printing and literacy? What explains the difference in impact printing had in Europe and in Asia?
printing allowed for greater volumes of books to be printed, which lead to increased motivation to become literate; Korean scholars invented phonetic alphabet (Hangul) that facilitated use of movable type, but aristocracy used Chinese characters to write Korean words (very difficult, symbol of power); since no writers would use "inferior" script of Hangul, printing never took off; in Europe, social forces (specifically Protestantism) and development of Gutenberg's printing press stimulated literacy and printing
SCOT
technology and society are co-constructed (tech --> society and society --> tech)
Technological determinism
technology is developed, then it impacts society (tech --> society)
Semiotics approach
the study of meanings ("configuring" the user, user develops a "script")
What role did development of clock play in changing people's conceptions of work?
work followed strict rhythms, and workers had to keep up with pace of machinery (frenetic and unvarying); caused more sequential and planned view of working
What did Marx mean when he said capitalism created a state of alienation for most workers?
workers became alienated from the activity that defined them as human beings; no longer could be creative or have control over work or derive a sense of satisfaction/pride