Notes
from Chapter 3:
Society
and Technological Change
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The
ideas and examples referenced below are notes compiled by Robert Keel from his reading of Volti, Rudi. 2014. Society and Technological Change. 7th edition. New York, NY: Worth Publishers. They are intended for classroom
use.
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THE
SOURCES OF TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE
Why
do technologies emerge when they do? Why not sooner or later?
The Great Breakthrough
History of technology
linked to single revolutionary inventions:
Technological breakthroughs
are often connected to genius of individual:
Entrepreneurs who take
invention and convert it into a commercial success are also important, though
less recognized than inventors themselves.
Despite the "Great
Breakthrough" --> Technological advances are achieved slowly, over time
"...few great successes
stem from one bold-stroke strategic thrust. More often, they result from one
half-good idea that is improved upon incrementally. These improvements are
invariably the result of a lot of little people paying attention to the product, the customer, and the marketplace." (page 44)
Research and
Development:
Research--> often viewed
as the key to technological advances
- Lays the groundwork for
development
- Development-->prepares
new technology for actual production
- Research would mean nothing
w/out the ability to develop product
- Penicillin- (1928- A.
Fleming) discovered mold.
- Large-scale production
of Penicillin required development of new technology.
- New, larger vats to grow
culture.
- Development of Anti-foaming
products.
- Prior to development
of new procedure--> Penicillin $20/dose -->
- After $.55/dose
Technology is a system
of events not a single event.
"Technological advances
often occur because of the availability of complementary technological developments
that allow for the resolution of fundamental problems." (page 45)
Technology takes time to
come to full fruition.
The "computer":
Internal combustion engine:
- Timing of spark that
ignited air-fuel mixture not set for optimal efficiency.
- This was continually
improved upon, resulting in greater performance.
- This development occurred
over time.
Development of technology
isnt confined to one area different areas influence one another.
- Developments can also
be shared between fields
- Turbo-jet relied heavily
on designs, components, and processes already developed for steam turbines
- Sometimes complimentary
process that help advance technology are, of themselves, not technological
at all--> attitudes and opinions often need to be changed for technology
to prosper
- Farmers in New Mexico
(1940's)--> reluctant to use hybrid corn crop even though hybrid gave better
yield.
- The taste and texture
of tortillas made from hybrid corn was disliked.
- Reluctance to change
culinary patterns stopped growth of this new technology.
The Social Context of Technological
Change
- A focus on "individuals
as reason for technological change" is insufficient -->
- Surely human ability
has been evenly distributed throughout history.
- Yet technological advance
more apparent in some eras than others
- What kind of social system
is required if inventive ability is to flourish?
- Available supply of resources
does not ensure development of technology.
- In order for technology
to exist there must be a demand for it.
- Improving the horseshoe
was important when the horse was main mode of transportation.
- Photography
developed as upper-class (middle?) grew that desired such technology,
or rather, the by-product of such technology a photo.
- Belated demand for technology
also a factor.
- Xerox (Chester
Carlson)- introduced in 1930's and was shunned.
Two types of technological
advances:
- Refinement/improvement
of existing way of doing things.
- Truly revolutionary
breakthrough.
Market Economies and Technological
Advances
- Technological advances
usually reflect societys general configuration of wealth and power.
- Europe- Middle Ages-
Church is the power great technological advance-- Gothic Cathedral.
- Europe-15th century- rise
of capitalism and market system development of ships
- Market economy stimulates
inventive efforts--
- Market economy promises
financial rewards
- Market economy has
many competitors
- Market economy can
produce auxiliary items necessary for technological advance
Planned Economies (China)
- Less likely to have significant
technological development.
- Basic tension between
system of economic management and the requirements for technological innovation.
- Planned economies rely
on prediction and routine Technology is unpredictable.
- Planned economies are
often rigid dont allow for innovation, which is key for technology
Market forces are not the
only source of technological innovation
As with most
things in the social world, the need for technology is very much:
SOCIALLY
CONSTRUCTED
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Questions (pages 57-58):
- How well does the social construction approach explain technological innovation? Which technologies fit, which do not?
- In the past, inventors (Edison, Wright brothers, etc) were often treated as celebrities. Can you name any contemporary inventors? Why may they be less prominent today?
- If a person needs a medical device that they cannot afford, what is the source of effective demand? Who pays and why?
- If you wanted to develop an innovative technology, how would you go about determining whether or not the market was receptive?
- If you were a leader of a country, what would you do to accelerate technological innovation?
Chapter
4
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URL: http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/280/soctechchange/soctech3.htm
Owner: Robert O. Keel: rok@umsl.edu
Last Updated:
Monday, February 8, 2016 10:42