Technology or Society

I'll have to admit, as others have, that these readings were very difficult for me. In my best effort, I tried to figure out the bottom line for each and I did see a theme between Bush, McLuhan, and Engelbart. Williams, on the other hand seemed to be discussing something different but there were a few similiarities to the others.

Bush, McLuhan, and Engelbart all used similar words to describe the function of new technology. They used examples to illustrate that technology was extending or modifying what humans could already do. Bush describes better, faster, and more permanent ways of using photography, telegrapy, and calculations to aid society in keeping up with all the information they receive and process. He describes his idea of the "memex" which (although I am not positive if I understood) details what a modern day computer and scanner might do. It basically condenses and databases written information that can be accessed at any time in the future.

McLuhan focuses his discussion on the technology itself and argues that not every technology contains content or a message, but it still functions to "add itself on to what we already do." He also believes that certain technology becomes like staples in our lives and our society functions the way that it does because of these staples. He calls this an "extension of human senses" because we are dependant upon the technology we are used to having to aid our daily lives.

Engelbart's examples of how technology can develop human intellect mirrors McLuhan but on a different level. He uses basic tasks of individuals and groups and then introduces technology that makes their lives easier and gives the ability to do these tasks much faster. He believes that human intelligence can be supplemented by using technology and; therefore, the technology is just enhancing what humans can currently achieve.

Williams' writing focuses on the societal function that automatically comes with new technology being introduced. He deals with the argument that television has caused bad habits and qualities among society. While McLuhan would focus on the technology of the television itself, Williams believes that with any technology, society takes on the responsibility of choosing what societal implication that technology will have. I like his point that the television had unforeseen consequences as it was not invented to function the way it has turned out. It was a modification, enhancement, and innovation of older media such as telegraphy, photography, radio, and motion pictures. The invention did not come from societal need, but from opportunity and possibility provided by enhancing technology that already existed.

I mostly agree with Williams in that I think technology itself holds some responsibility because it creates a function for a human, but I also believe that society makes a technology what it is to become by its interaction with it. It is the "chicken and egg" cliche we hear so much about. Technology drives society while society drives technology. I don't think one would advance without the other. And what good would technology be if it didn't give us the ability to enhance what we could do before it?

-theresa