According to the assigned article, technological and cultural determinism illustrate technology as a cause and effect model. Technological determinism sees the technology as what changes humans while cultural determinism sees the need for an object as motivation for technological development. That being said the debate of violent video games is an ongoing battle that has swept America. Many people in the technological determinism school of thought would see violent behavior as a result of a technological advancement. Since kids have the exposure to these realistic games they are more violent than before. Because this technology is available there are unintended consequences causing some individuals to have a blurred distinction between game and reality and overly aggressive actions. These claims are general and there is certainly only a correlation between the two, but some aggression is innate within a developing child. The angst filled years of middle and high school can be rough on the fragile souls who are trying to figure out who they are, and there is going to be aggression no matter how many video games they play. The New York Times has been following this debate, and provides some insight towards the research behind the claims. Video games were intended to provide players fun escapes from reality, but unintended consequences tend to absorb the headlines rather than the fun that is had playing them. Whether or not these games change their players is still not concrete but the possibility for a causation is enough to be thought provoking.
A cultural perspective of determinism sees technology as an answer to the needs of people in everyday life. Technology reflects needs and desire and If a society needs a weapon to kill, they will develop a gun and so on. When Americans needed a flame retardant material to put in schools, hospitals, and just about anywhere, Asbestos was the answer to their prayers. Fire resistant and cheap, asbestos seemed to be the material of the Gods when it first was developed for use. Schools would be safer for children to play and grow, and fear of fire left the minds of many individuals. However, asbestos is a second example of a good technological advancement gone awry. Just as the reading highlighted, how no one predicted cars to produce greenhouse gas, neither did builders expect asbestos to cause mesothelioma. What was once a great idea that answered the needs of society, turned out to be harmful and dangerous. Sadly no one thinks of safety anymore when asbestos is brought up. Unintended consequences of technologies represent a lack of control that humans have over their inventions. Individuals make machines, but do not have the foresight as to how these machines could be harmful. I am sure the inventor of the gun had visions of food for his people, and safety from dangerous neighbors not mass shootings and dangerous riots. We think we own technology but unintended consequences tend to own us.
This entire essay seems very morose and depressing. Is any invention good for us? How do I know my life isn't being ruined by my smartphone? However, while I am still convinced that smartphones are the cigarettes of our generation, society is changed positively in a vast array of ways when technology is introduced. Literacy rates skyrocketed when the printing press was developed, the world is a faster and smaller place due to the internet, and I bet even the caveman who invented the wheel was pretty pumped when he didn't have to carry his crops anymore. As the reading suggests, we need to be able to "recognize the bad surprises early enough to do something about them". Technology's unintended side effects are not devastation, they are part of the trials and tribulations of innovations and needs time to develop. We may not be able to control all aspects of technology, but we can be proactive. so, buy the Iphone 7sp color special edition but if the way it changes you is recognizably hurting you, feel free to revert back to the Motorola Razr.
I think our recognition of realizing the bad is where we lack. I think we as a culture see all technology as inherently good. We see it as it is not able to ruin our brains and consume our lives. In reality though, technology is just something that makes our lives more convenient and sometimes this convenience is bad. As our generation transitions to a more sedentary lifestyle, we see the negative effects of convenience.
ReplyDeleteI like your video game example. It shows the unintended consequences of these new convention and accessible technologies. The article you brought in really supports your points and helps back you argument for violent video games effects.
I am of the belief that things in the world aren't so black and white as those who follow the technological determinism idea would say. Technology, to me, is another tool created by humans as means to do things at a more efficient pace. And is that a bad thing? No, I don't think it necessarily is. As long as the person using that technology is using it for a good purpose I think it is human nature to want to explore, progress, and advance. And technology is the golden example of humans' constant search to continue advancing in the knowledge of the world we live in.
ReplyDeleteThis idea that video games can cause people to be violent doesn't exactly ring with me either. People play racing games all the time, yet I believe they realize they aren't driving an actual car, and could not do the things they are doing in the game (like jumping a huge gap with a car), in real life. They are aware of what the purpose of the tool is and that it's real world application does not go very far.