Role of Technology

1
Role of Technology

• Technology is viewed as the solution to all our
  problems.
• It is seen as the promise of utopia but are we in
  command of our tools.
• Although higher levels of education and improved
  communication makes adaptability to technology
  socially easier, many of these views are
  oversimplified.

2
Influence of Technology

• This influence is much different from the past.
• Tools more powerful
• Quality of finality brings us an explicit
  awareness of technological determinant.
• Society decides to control and use technology for
  social significance not just economic gain.

3
The Paradox of Technology

• Brings us new opportunities to achieve old goals.
• Demands an alteration of social organization.
• Functions of social organizations must change.
• Goals served by the old technology are now
  inadequate.

4
Technology and Values

• The tension between the need to control
  technology and our desire to maintain our values
  stifles humanity.
• The values change through an accommodation
  between our existing values and their impingement
  by technology on social change.
• Technology leads to value changes.
• Unattainable goals are now within reach.
• Changes the opportunity costs of our new goals.
• Ends become justification for means.
• Knowledge requires an expenditure only once.
• Production requires expenditure many times over.

5
Technology and the State

• Technology demands political action to channel
  its direction for social benefit.
• The development and application of technology
  enlarges the system of social organization thus
  leading to an increased centralization of
  authority.

6
Consequences of Public-Decision Making

• Information handling of technology is used in the
  decision process
• Public policy becomes effective as reliable
  information.
• Decisions in one part of society affect other
  parts of society.
• The logic of decisions requires a greater
  dependence on the collection of data.

7
Resistance to Technology

• Fear of the unknown
• Anxiety to the adjustment of new technologies
• Requires psychological restructuring
• Chauvinistic condition
• Demands specialization