Technological Determinism - Essay Example

Technological Determinism Part I: Essay Draft Technology has significantly changed the contemporary society in regard to the manner of communication, interaction and socialization processes. These changes are associated with the efficiency with which socialization processes are achieved. It has been argued that technological determinism is the cause of the modern efficiency in socialization through the social media and online communities (Novicevic, Hayek, Buckley & Humphreys, 2009, p. 5). However an understanding of technological determinism will be required in order to prove this argument. In addition, the analysis of various concepts of technological determinism will be required so that the role of technology in facilitating the modern social networks and communication can be achieved. The main question of the essay: Is it true that technology is the cause of the changes in the modern society in regards to the socialization process within online communities as argued by technological determinists? Therefore the main essay will look into the meaning of technological determinism and analysis of its role in social change and the processes of communication in contemporary social economic environment through the use of advanced technological applications. In order to answer the above question, various journal sources of information on the topic will be used within the main essay. According to Hartman (2007), the definition of technological determinism and the meaning of this phrase go beyond faster computing and technological processes. This article is a credible material that will be used to achieve an accurate definition of the term technological determinism. Using this article the various concepts which relate to this phrase will also is described so that a basis for its analysis can be set. The theoretical framework surrounding technological determinism will also be analyzed within the main essay. This will involve an evaluation of opposing theories such as Moore’s law and Marxism in relation technological determinism so that different understanding of the role of technology in social change can be ascertained. In describing and analyzing the theoretical aspects which describe technological determinism, articles by Sherman (2008) and Ceruzzi (2007) will be refereed to within the main essay. Sherman (2008) will allow an understanding of technological determinism from the Marxism point of view. On the other hand, Ceruzzi (2007) in his article will enable a clear understanding of technological determinism in line with the advances in technology such as an increased computer processing speeds and its use within social networks. In order to discuss and prove whether technological changes are responsible for the modern socialization processes, more research articles will be referred to within the main essay. For example, Frigant & Talbot (2009) in their article will allow an elaborate analysis how technology has shaped modularity in contemporary socialization processes within various industries. This article is of a great significance for the main essay because the modern work environments within various industries are increasingly employing technology as a communication tool and attaining news about events and markets in addition to marketing communication. Leonardi & Jackson (2007) will also provide adequate information on the role of technology in communication within organizations such as those in the media industry. Finally, Novicevic, Hayek, Buckley & Humphreys (2009) in their article will allow an analysis of the application of technological determinism concepts in the management of individuals within the organizations and industries of the world economies. Part II: The Essay In accordance to the arguments of technological determinists, advancements in technology and its characteristic application within the new media is the major driver change within the contemporary society. The phrase technological determinism has been used frequently in defining the modern applications of technology to facilitate social economic processes such as communication of information, news and efficient exchange of ideas. This paper therefore gives an elaborate meaning of technological determinism in the context of its role in driving change within the society. The analysis of technological determinism in motivating change will be achieved through three main points. Firstly, is the analysis of the theories which have been used to analyze technological determinism and their role in understanding how technology has shaped modern social media processes is presented in the essay. Secondly, the manner in which technology has shaped the contemporary social media networks within industries and organizations is analyzed. Lastly, the criticism which has been put forth in analysis of technological determinism is illustrated in the essay. According to Hartman (2007, p. 20), technological determinism refers to Thorstein Veblen’s postulates that information and communication technology is the main driver of changes or developments in social cultural values, beliefs and structures. In coming up with this term, Veblen was motivated by the observations that he made within the American society in the 20th century when technology revolutionized the various industrial, factorial and social cultural processes. On the other hand, the role of technology in causing the aforementioned changes within the society is argued to be a mere assumption (Daly, 2008, p. 286). However researchers within various industries and social organizations describe the effects of technology in terms of the concept of technological determinism. This is demonstrated by Leonardi & Jackson (2007, p. 615) who argue that technology has significantly shaped the social economic processes to an extent that the concept of technological determinism should not be overlooked. In this sense therefore it is reflective that technology in its various forms is attributed to the changes which characterize the contemporary society especially those which pertain to the efficiency in communication and gathering information from various sources. Hartman (2007, p. 20) discloses that technological determinism is best defined in relation to its two major forms. These are hard and soft determinisms. Hard determinism describes an understanding of information and communication technology as growing without depending on social cultural processes. Hard determinism therefore illustrates that technology and its applications acts as a powerful determinant and regulator of various activities which occur within the society without a retrograde impact of these activities on the changes in technology. On the other hand, soft determinism describes members of the society as having a choice to determine how technology affects their social economic and political activities (Hartman, 2007, p. 20). It is therefore notable that soft determinism is a passive definition of the impact technology has on the social networks. In the contemporary society, hard determinism best describes the extent into which technology shapes the societal values and processes. This is because of the competitive nature of social networks, organizations and groups in the use of modern technology as a facilitator of their activities. Marxism as postulated by Karl Max proposes that social economic and political changes and developments can be explained in terms of the relationships within social classes which emanated as a result of capitalism. An analysis of technological determinism in juxtaposition with the Marxist theory illustrates that in one way or another, Marxism can be reduced to technological determinism (Sherman, 2008, p. 61). This is illustrated by the fact that information and communication technology has found wide application within economic, social and political aspects. In addition, technology has been capitalized into an economic resource which facilitates industrial and organizational activities (Frigant & Talbot, 2009, p. 338). However the relationship between technological determinism and social class is not distinctively illustrated. According to Ceruzzi (2007, p. 584) Moore’s law which describes the increase in efficiency of computing and processing speeds over time has also been linked to technological determinism. It is argued that the propositions that Moore presents on technology and its advancements are based on the concept of technological determinism. This is related to the fact that the adoption and implementation of technology and its applications within social and economic environments favors the use of newer, advanced and more efficient technologies (Ceruzzi, 2007, p. 586). This can be explained in light of communication processes which upgrade systems to enhance the speed of socialization and exchange of information. In regard to the theoretical arguments and analysis of technological determinism, it is notable that this concept and its effect on the society is backed by theorists regardless of the varying angles within which it is described under these theories. Novicevic, Hayek, Buckley & Humphreys (2009, p. 5) point out that technological determinism is used to describe how technology has shaped the social economic and political environments. Technology has for example been used to enhance the management of information. This includes the ability of individuals, groups and organizations to store, retrieve, send or use data and information via technological applications. In the media industry, gathering of news, processing it and presenting it to the audience has been promoted significantly by the adoption and implementation of various technologies. In addition, technological determinism can be used to comprehend the reason why online communities have embraced technology to enhance communication and sharing of information (Leonardi & Jackson, 2007, p. 615). Industries which employ advanced technological tools are attractive within their markets because of the technological determinism in industrial and organizational processes (Novicevic, Hayek, Buckley & Humphreys, 2009, p. 7). On the other hand, technology as described within the concept of technological determinism has demonstrated negative implications within the society. These are illustrated to the violation of privacy and confidentiality of personal information and data which characterize the advanced technologies of modern days such as communication via the internet (Leonardi & Jackson, 2007, p. 621). Technological determinism has however been criticized by various scholars and theorists in regard to its application in understanding the role of technology in contemporary work environments. According to Frigant & Talbot (2009, p. 342), technological determinism has been criticized in relation to the fact that this concept emerged through the 20th century technological science applications which were employed in the production of nuclear weapons. This illustrates that technological determinism was a view that emerged in regard to negative implications of technology in its application within social political and economic processes of the society. In addition, technological determinism has been argued to be a less accurate view on the manner in which social groups, individuals and organizations interact with information and communication technologies. These racisms are particularly targeted at hard determinism because of arguments that the relationship between technology and the society is intertwined and technology by itself cannot be aid to be a one way driver of social or economic processes (Leonardi & Jackson, 2007, p. 627). Technological determinism has been criticized by scholars in the sense that human beings have a responsibility and roles to play in determining societal change. Therefore change within the society is viewed to emanate to the role that the society play in causing it rather than being understood as caused and driven by technology (Novicevic, Hayek, Buckley & Humphreys, 2009, p. 11). In addition, critics of technological determinism argue that technology cannot be considered to be inevitable. Leonardi & Jackson (2007, p. 621) say that these arguments demonstrate that the society is not completely dependent on technology for social economic and political processes. Regardless of the criticisms that are put forth against technological determinism, it is necessary to note that this subject is highly influential especially in the contemporary society which is characterized by advances in technology and its application in almost all spheres of life and economic processes. In light of the above analysis on technological determinism, it is conclusive that this concept has significantly shaped the understanding of the role of technology in the modern society. Within social networks, political arenas, economic industries and organizations, various technological tools and applications are applied to facilitate processes such as storage, retrieval, communication and use of information. This means that the concept of technological determinism has into a large extent shaped the understanding of the reason why technology is a desirable element which defines the efficiency, competitiveness and communicability of social economic and political elements. The link which is established between technological determinism and various theories such as Marxism and Moore’s law of technological efficiency further reveals that technological determinism has an important role in comprehending the contemporary societal applications of technological tools. It is however notable from the above discussion that technological determinism has received various criticisms from scholars, thinkers and scientists. Such criticism is related to the origin of this concept in the 20th century when negative use of technology such as in the manufacture of nuclear weapons was eminent. In addition, the critics of technological determinism argue that technology is not inevitable and societal members have a role to play in the application of technology. Irrespective of the convincing influence of technological determinism in understanding modern societies, it is therefore evident that some schools of thought think that this concept and its notion are not very accurate. References Ceruzzi, P.E. 2007, "Moore's Law and Technological Determinism: Reflections on the History of Technology", Technology and Culture, vol. 46, no. 3, pp. 584-593. Daly, J.A. 2008, "Studying the impacts of the Internet without assuming technological determinism", Aslib Proceedings, vol. 52, no. 8, pp. 285-285. Frigant, V. & Talbot, D. 2009, "Technological Determinism and Modularity: Lessons from a Comparison between Aircraft and Auto Industries in Europe", Industry and Innovation, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 337-355. Hartman, K. 2007, "Determinism Means More Than Faster Processors", Electronic Design, vol. 54, no. 4, pp. 20. Leonardi, P.M. & Jackson, M.H. 2007, "Technological determinism and discursive closure in organizational mergers", Journal of Organizational Change Management, vol. 17, no. 6, pp. 615-631 Novicevic, M.M., Hayek, M., Buckley, M.R. & Humphreys, J.H. 2009, "Chandler and Technological Determinism in the Histories of Management", Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 3-13. Sherman, H. 2008, "Marx and Determinism", Journal of Economic Issues (pre-1986), vol. 15, no. 000001, pp. 61. Read More