Kranzberg Views on Technology and Social Development - Essay Example

Rather he believes that the involvement of the non-technological factors can actually make such a process relatively benign. E.P. Thompson’s analysis is based upon describing how the development of machines has actually redefined the social class and status within the society. Unlike Kranzberg, Thompson discussed the advancement of technology along with the advancement in society as brought about the industrial revolution. By discussing the Luddites, he argued that early adaptation of technology did not necessarily meet with the resistance. Accordingly, Thompson argued that it was the introduction of a new economic system of free markets which was opposed by Luddites rather than the introduction of new technology itself. (Thompson)

Ritzer’s work is mostly a continuation of the arguments put forward by Weber and he argued that McDonaldization of the society has resulted in five different themes.  (Ritzer). He views society like a fast food restaurant and argues that this could happen when society and culture experiences a shift due to technology and other related factors. He argues that efficiency required society to achieve its ends through cost-effective ways whereas he also outlined quantity as a variable of quality delivered. Similarly, predictability deals with the development of an environment where surprises are easily discounted. Overall the arguments of Ritzer’s are based on the assumption that society has relatively changed owing to the changes in technology.

Bill McKibben has extensively written on the interaction of technology with the environment and how it can actually damage it. In his book ENOUGH he has argued the dangers of nanotechnology as well as genetic engineering. He argues that in a race to achieve superior technology, the human race may not be recognizable at all and as such new technology can change the very essence of our being.  (McKibben). This argument is powerful in the sense that technology has been viewed as something powerful enough to basically change the way humans are recognized and characterized nowadays. The advancements in new technology have been considered as far more powerful than the technology of the past hence the new technology is viewed as damaging to the very essence of the human race.