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Exploring Technological Systems: Understanding the Interdependence and Impact of Technology in Society

Study on the interconnectedness of technological advancements and their societal effects.

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    Exploring Technological Systems: Understanding the Interdependence and Impact of Technology in Society 1. (TCO 1) In the Neolithic Revolution, the growth of communities was a result of (Points : 5) the use of steam as an energy source. farming and the domestication of animals. conquest and settlement. new trade routes to the East. 2. (TCO 1) Francis Bacon argued that scientific method differed from logic and mathematics in that (Points : 5) science begins with general theory then moves to phenomena. logic begins with phenomena then moves to general conclusions. mathematics moves from the specific to the theory. scientific inquiry starts with the phenomena and ends in theory. 3. (TCOs 2 & 8) Edgerton counters the theory of distinct successive technological revolutions by explaining that (Points : 5) the expansion of agricultural production has coincided with the growth of modern services . the revolutionary nature of each leap forward was rooted in political instability. the information highway has replaced shipping in importance in the Chinese economy. the decrease in agricultural production has coincided with a decrease in industry. 4. (TCOs 2 & 8) The introduction of four uniform time zones in the United States was a direct result of (Points : 5) the widespread introduction of mechanical clocks from China. the loss of influence of the Catholic church. the impact of a fully integrated railroad system. the growth of commercialized farming in the 20th century. 5. (TCO 4) Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Wiki art? (Points : 5) It is dynamic and ever - changing. It is collaborative. It can involve music, poetry, video, and stories.

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    It relies on the talents of trained professional artists. 6. (TCO 4) According to Winner, the use of computer technologies to supervise workers is (Points : 5) an inevitable consequence of technical changes . a reflection of a political relationship. necessary in a modern world. preferred by workers over a human supervisor. 7. (TCO 8) The term Luddite refers to (Points : 5) investors in industrial society. church leaders who supported child labor. workers who rejected new technologies. politicians who resisted factory reforms. 8. (TCO 11) Which of the following is considered a scholarly resource? (Points : 5) Chicago Tribune Journal of the American Medical Association Dr. Phil www.nbc.com 9. (TCO 12) T he three technologies that Bill Joy states are the greatest threat in the 21st century are (Points : 5) nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. nuclear power, genetic engineering. and weapons of mass destruction. genetics, nanotechnology, and robotics. Luddites, cyborgs, and robotics. 10.(TCO 12) The unintended effects of e - mail are(Points : 5) social isolation. blurring of our public and private lives. increased threats to privacy. All of the above 11 . The intended reader of a scholarly resource would be A. students. B. academics. C. professionals.

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    D. All of the above 12 . During the Protestant Reformation, the printing press created a new desire for books. A. became popular in Muslim countries. B. was used by the Catholic church to fight heresy. C. helped to satisfy a growing demand for vernacular books. 13. Winner argues that some technologies have become so fully integrated in our society that they have actually taken on social roles. An example of this would be A. a telephone answering machine. B. a computerized surveillance system. C. 'el cortito'. D. All of the above. E ssay questions (TCOs 1 & 2) Why does Cowan believe it is important to examine technologies in the context of technological systems? What advantage does this broader perspective give to planners? Give a specific current technological example (not it the reading) in support of your answer. Ans: Ruth Schwartz Cowan examines technologies in the context of technological systems. As per him, Large - scale technological systems are linked with one another, often in relationships of mutual interdependence; for instance, if we look at today’s urban transportation systems, they heavily depend on the power generating company, steel industry, Infrastructure sector for roads and bridges. If we just look at internet, we find there are vast numbers of computer networks creating a sort of matrix where the data is being transmitted through this complex network. These are all can be termed as technological systems in the words of Cowan. Technological systems can best be understood by understanding its several distinguishable but interacting aspects: (1) skills, techniques, human activity - forms, or sociotechnical practices; (2) resources, tools, and materials; (3) technological products, or artifacts; (4) ends, intentions, or functions; (5) background knowledge; and (6) the social contexts in which the technology is designed, developed, used, and disposed of. These six aspects are present in every technology. Human activity - form - Today, there are complex ensembles of techniques for doing just about everything from planting and harvesting crops to figuring out the orbit of a moon of Jupiter, from designing a house to conducting a leveraged hostile takeover, from cooking lasagna to programming a computer to sort sales data. Such complex techniques represent what is called procedural knowledge, or more commonly “know - how,” and is contrasted with propositional knowledge, or “know - that.”

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