This week’s reading from authors Kline and Pitch focused
on how the identities of certain social groups can change a technology,
specifically the automobile. Even though the automobile was invented and
first use many decades ago, this reading was still extremely relatable
to modern technologies. I think that even in our present culture
whenever a new technology comes out, certain groups of people still
change the advancement of a technology. For example, cell phones did not
have all of the same functions they have today, but people wanted a
device that was easily accessible to communicate with others through a
wide variety of social networking sites, play games to prevent boredom,
and take pictures and videos to keep memories alive. The first cell
phones did not have these functions, but the creators of them had to
keep advancing these devices so that people would continue to be
interested in buying them since they have always had these desires.
However, mainly in the past, there are groups of people who oppose
new innovations from being available to society for a variety of
reasons. This was touched upon in Kline and Pitch’s text, and it was the
part that stuck out to me the most. When discussing the automobile, the
authors pointed out that certain groups of people were not ready for this
new technology, specifically farmers. They referred to the automobile
as the “red devil” and the “devil wagon.” They were worried about the car
affecting their schools, churches, roads, and their safety. Farmers went
to extremes to prevent the spread of automobiles: they blocked off
roads, protested, and even dug holes to stop the them. They had
built their own world that they thought would be different because of
this new invention, and they wanted to protect it.
I wanted to discuss this for my blog post because I thought it
was very interesting that there were groups of people who actually
opposed one of the greatest technological innovations of all time. I was
surprised that farmers would try to prevent something that made life so
much better and helped make performing daily tasks simpler. I came
across an article written by Karl Haro von Mogel, a Ph.D. candidate who wrote about why
people resist technological advances. He says that people resist
inventions like the car because they are contrary to nature, contrary to
humans, and contrary to God. This article combined with the reading for
this week shows that we as humans are scared of change. We are scared
that a new invention could alter the way we live the lives that we have
become so accustomed to. I do not think they are necessarily scared of
these technologies making life worse, they are truly scared of life just
being different.
In the end, farmers did adapt to the new way of life that the
automobile brought, and they embraced it by understanding how much
easier it made their lives. Although, this did take a while. I wanted to
bring up this topic to the rest of the class because I think it is very
interesting that people try to prevent innovations that can make life
better. Do you agree that people resist technologies because they are
scared of change or is there another reason? Do you agree with Mogel's article as to why we resist them? Can you think of any modern technologies that people
have opposed?
Wow, I really liked your post! It made me think of the reason why people resist technology. It's something that never really came across my mind but since this class I have thought a lot more about technology than I would have.
ReplyDeleteI liked what you mentioned about the car and how people resisted it at first. That's crazy to think because look how many teenagers and adults want a new car now. They're very convenient but I sometimes forget about public transportation. Before cars, this was the only way of getting around.
Now, I understand the side that people aren't against cars in particular it's the idea of change that scares them. I think this is true! We live our daily lives in the same routine and for something so grand to just mess with the routine, it can be difficult for people to adjust.
I'm trying to think of something in today's society that would greatly alter our lives. Can you guys think of anything? Maybe a hologram or a flying car? Technology is advancing so quickly that I have no doubts that we will see inventions like this in the future. But...how will we view this inventions? With open minds? Refusal to conform? I think at first, it is a surprise for us to get acquainted with the technology but eventually we learn to live with it. However, I actually can relate to the whole fear of change. In the fall, the new update for the iOs 7 came out for the iPhone and I still haven't updated. I just don't want to change to a new layout especially because I use my phone every day. However, seeing many people use this new update, I sometimes think I might as well just change it.
I completely agree, Briana! Especially with what you said about iOS 7. I did download it right away because I was excited to see what the update looked like, but I quickly thought of deleting it after downloading because I felt as though it was too different from the previous operating system. I wasn't used to seeing my text messages, music, nor my calendar in this different format. It wasn't that I was against it, it was that I did not like the drastic change.
DeleteI think if something like a flying car were to be invented, people would likely resist it because it is so different from our use of cars now. Like the farmers, we would probably say we have built highways and specific roads for our cars, so we would not want to change the transportation system we have gotten so accustomed to.
Yes, good example! I'm glad you could relate to the whole iOs 7 update because I know a lot of people updated it and then quickly changed their minds and wanted to go back to the original. However, it seems by now people are adjusted to it. Perhaps it will be like this for other future inventions?
DeleteI also found it very interesting to learn about why certain groups of people tend to resist technology. Whether it is because of their fear of the power that new technology has, or their religious and ideological views, people sometimes find ways to take stances in opposition to innovation.
ReplyDeleteThe example about the farmer is particularly interesting because automobiles have ended up making farming much easier. I know that tractors and other farming equipment would not have been made available if automobiles had not been invented first.
However, I also think that these groups are a necessary part of a democratic society. In technology, and also politics, we need people that oppose even the ideas that seem like they have no drawbacks. These groups allow us to look at the other side of the coin, and work as a system of checks and balances for innovation.
I agree with your post, Dave. I found it interesting to read in the Kline and Pitch piece that after the invention of the automobile, equipment was sold to attach to it to make things like farming much easier. Once those who opposed the automobile saw how much easier it made life, they began to come around and accept it as a great technological innovation.
DeleteI like what you said about the positive side of opposition to new inventions. It is true that without opposition, there would likely be no changes to the technology. Had it not been for farmers opposing the car, it may have taken a lot longer for car dealers to sell cars with attachable equipment to make farming easier or sell cars specifically made for farming, like tractors and trucks.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete