Teich, Albert H., Ed. (2002). Technology and the Future, 9th ed. Wa
dsworth. Chapters 3-5.
Weinberg, Alvin M. Can Technology Replace Social Engineering? (Teich 23-30.)
Berry, Wendell. Why I Am Not Going to Buy a Computer. (Teich 31-36.)
Florman, Samuel C. Technology and the Tragic View. (Teich 37-45.)
Weinberg discusses how technology can 'fix' a social problem, but are
there times when these 'technological fixes' can create social problems?
In the first two essays (#3 and 4) I found that neither author was
convincing enough due to the lack of questioning their own side, or
acknowledging the other. In essay 3, the author does mention technology
being the base of the problem, but he doesn't have the foresight to
see that his technological fixes could very easily bring up more severe
social problems. In essay 4, the author never acknowledges that someone
else may have a necessary and decent use for a computer, even though he
does not. Is it safe to assume that a technocrat and conservationist can
see flaws in each of their arguments, but write mainly for the purpose
of pursuading readers to their side on a somewhat political level?
Presenting technology as a solution for social problems has another aspect to
it "the expenses", whereas social engineering can be acquired with man-power
alone. Hence, in the end it is money that is going to decide who is powerful
or weak, at war or at peace. Isn't that a social, economical prejudice?
"Why I am not going to buy a computer?", this article present an extreme
position that of abstinence and at the other extreme, would be extravagance.
As a normal human being who is not exactly a techno freak nor a cave man, how
can we find a middle ground?
"Technology & the tragic view", The author here presents the side effects
of technology as tragic which according to him is heroic, I am curious as to
how he would explain the tragedy of nuclear bombs or the chernobly/ Bhopal
nuclar plants.
In "Can Technology Replace Social Engineering?", the author discusses
a conflict between technology and social norms. He gives us an example
of the H-bomb's development, when moral issues took a higher place than
further technological process. Genetic engineering has achieved a great
development and evidently one of the following steps in this sphere
is human cloning. What is more important in this case: technological
development or social and moral issues? Who will win? When do people
prefer social norms to technology? Why?
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