hsb4u chapter 4 technology: an agent of social change
TRANSCRIPT
HSB4U
Chapter 4
Technology: An Agent of Social Change
Introduction to Technology
• Everything’s Amazing and Nobody’s Happy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEY58fiSK8E
Agenda
• Poll: Technology in our lives
• What is technology and how has it affected our lives?
• Technological determinism
What is technology?
Definition from textbook (p. 105):
Technology is the creation of tools or objects that both extend our natural abilities and alter our social environment
Important technological developments in history
Important Technology Changes
How this extends a human quality
Spear Extension of the arm
Fire Extension of the mouth
Clothing Extension of skin
Glasses Extension of eyes
Car Extension of legs
Pens/pencils Extension of voice/ears/memory
Forks/knives Extension of hands/teeth
Do we control technological change in our society, or does the development of technology change our society beyond our control?
We control tech. change Tech. changes society beyond our control
Weapons used for defense Weapons used for offense
Security alarms invented for protection
Security alarms give a false sense of security and may create paranoia
Printing press makes information more accessible
Propaganda, hate messages
Internet helps social connection
Surveillance/privacy infringement
Medicine heals people, extends lifespan
Addiction, overdose
Telephone helps communication/connecting
Distractions
Camera Phone captures memories/important moments
Invasion of privacy
Coping with Technology
Dependence on digital technology:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP7nOQfIC3s
Coping with Technology
I can live without my smartphone.
Strongly Disagree Strongly Agree
Placemat Activity
Divide chart paper like this:
Coping with Technology1) Down the middle of your section of placemat, write a list of 10 technologies that have had a significant impact on you personally.
2) For each item on the list, draw a line to the left and a line to the right.
3) At the end of the line to the left, write one way in which this technology makes your life easier.
4) At the end of the line to the right, write one way it makes your life more difficult or something that frustrates you about the technology.
Coping with Technology
microwave oven
people able to eat on the run more often, family doesn’t sit down to dinner together
able to quickly cook so you can get to part-time job after school
Example:
Coping with Technology
A. Negative/Unintended ConsequencesFast food – unhealthy, GMOsMicrosoft word – spelling/handwriting
B. Future shock/speedComputers – quickly obsolete
c. Hyper Culture/blurring valuesMicrosoft word – feeling stressedTexting in social situations - RUUUDE
d. Overdependence/technosis Cell phonesSleeping pills
Social Media: Force for Change or Barrier to
Change?
Fahim, K. & El-Naggar, M. (2011, Feb. 8). Emotions of a reluctant hero galvanize protestors. Retrieved Oct. 14, 2012 from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/09/world/middleeast/09ghonim.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/G/Ghonim,%20Wael?ref=waelghonim
Wael Ghonim, centre, played a major role in Tahrir Square protests in Egypt by using Facebook and GoogleDocs
"The best way to get people away from their computer is through the computer; you can't organize thousands of people in New York City [the way Occupy Wall Street has] without the web"
Occupy Wall Street: Social Media’s Role in Social Change (2011, June 6). Retrieved on March 19, 2014 from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/06/occupy-wall-street-social-media_n_999178.html
Social Media also played a major role in the Occupy Wall Street movement that started in New York City and quickly spread throughout the country.
Slacktivism "feel-good" measures, in support of an issue or social cause, that
have little or no practical effect other than to make the person doing
it take satisfaction from the feeling they have contributed.
Homework: Read ONE of these articles (on blog)
Studies showing:
Rewiring of teenagers brains – social media resulting in underdeveloped sense of empathy and lack of intimacy in friendshipshttp://www.cbc.ca/news/health/social-media-affecting-teens-concepts-of-friendship-intimacy-1.2543158
Depression and Anxiety – Facebook makes us feel bad about ourselveshttp://www.bbc.com/news/technology-23709009
Slacktivism – Supporting causes on social media reduces chances of actually contributinghttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/adam-grant/are-you-a-slacktivist_b_4390258.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131108091320.htm