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

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Exploring Technological Systems: Understanding the Interdependence andImpact of Technology in Society1.Â (TCO 1) In the Neolithic Revolution, the growth of communities was a result ofÂ (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.Â(TCO1)FrancisBaconarguedthatscientificmethoddifferedfromlogicandmathematics 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.Â (TCOs 2 & 8) Edgerton counters the theory of distinct successive technologicalrevolutions by explaining that(Points : 5)the expansion of agricultural production has coincided with the growth of modernservices.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.Â (TCOs 2 & 8) The introduction of four uniform time zones in the United States was adirect 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.Â (TCO 4) Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Wiki art?Â (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.Â (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.Â (TCO 8) The termÂ LudditeÂ refers toÂ (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?Â (Points : 5)Chicago TribuneJournal of the American Medical AssociationDr. Philwww.nbc.com9.Â (TCO 12) The three technologies that BillJoy states are the greatest threat in the 21stcentury 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 above11. The intended reader of a scholarly resource would beA. students.B. academics.C. professionals.

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D. All of the above12. During the Protestant Reformation, the printing presscreated 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 thatthey have actually taken on social roles. An example of this would beA. a telephone answering machine.B. a computerized surveillance system.C. 'el cortito'.D. All of the above.Essay questions(TCOs 1 & 2)Why does Cowan believe it is important to examine technologies in thecontext of technological systems? What advantage does this broader perspective give toplanners?Give a specific current technological example (not it the reading) in supportof your answer.Ans:Ruth Schwartz Cowan examines technologies in the context of technological systems. As perhim, Large-scale technological systems are linked with one another, often in relationships ofmutual interdependence; for instance,if we look at today’s urban transportation systems, theyheavily depend on the power generating company, steel industry, Infrastructure sector forroads and bridges. If we just look at internet, we find there are vast numbers of computernetworks creating a sort of matrix where the data is being transmitted through this complexnetwork. These are all can be termed astechnological systemsin the words of Cowan.Technological systems can best be understood by understanding its severaldistinguishablebutinteractingaspects:(1)skills,techniques,humanactivity-forms,orsociotechnicalpractices; (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 thetechnology is designed, developed, used, and disposed of. These six aspects are present inevery technology.Human activity-form-Today, there are complex ensembles of techniques for doing justabout everything from planting and harvesting crops to figuring out the orbit of a moon ofJupiter, from designing a house to conducting a leveraged hostile takeover, from cookinglasagna to programming a computer to sort sales data. Such complex techniques representwhat is called procedural knowledge, or more commonly “know-how,” and is contrasted withpropositional knowledge, or “know-that.”

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