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Determinism vs Constructivism
Karel Mulder
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Determinism vs Constructivism
Basic Question:
What drives technology?
Does the progress of technology drive history?
Or does history shape technology?
Or: is the change of technology something that nobody cancontrol?
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Every new generation has some creative geniuses.They invent some new technologies (by there morethan average intelligence or by pure coincidence).
The act of invention is independent of society.Successful inventions diffuse in society and,
thereupon, transform society.
Determinism vs. ConstructivismDeterminism
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Determinism vs. Constructivismscience
technology innovation is not accidental but dependingon scientific progress. As scientific progress is the
result of its own dynamics, and independent ofsocietal change, technological change is independentof society.
(E.g. Dijksterhuis, 1950 and Koyre, 1943).
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Determinism vs. ConstructivismAutonomous Technology
Scientific knowledge accumulates
Technology is applied science
Resources for technological innovation are growing forever
Technology is ever improving
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Autonomous TechnologyMoores Law
the number of transistors that can beplaced on an integrated circuit isincreasing exponentially, and doublesapproximately every two years
Gordon Moore, 1965, Cramming More components onto
integrated circuits, Electronics vol. 38, 8, april 19, 1965.
http://www.opamp-electronics.com
http://www.intel.com/technology/mooreslaw/index.htm
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Autonomous TechnologyMoores Law
The original Moores
law plot
Electronics, April 1965
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Autonomous TechnologyMoores Law
http://www.physics.udel.edu/~watson/scen103/intel-new.gif
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Autonomous TechnologyMoore, proof of Autonomous Technology?
Moore is not only an empiricaldescription
Moore was the co-founder of IntelIt took 4-5 years to develop newchips
Companies used Moores law intheir research planning
www.automationnotebook.com
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Technological innovation
Technological autonomy Technological determinism
A positive sum game? Or a negative sum game?
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Determinism vs ConstructivismFrom autonomy to determinism
Jacques Ellul
Traditional technology
vs.
Modern technology
http://www.jacques-ellul.org/media/portrait.jpg
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From autonomy to determinismTraditional Technology according to Ellul:
Limited in its application (technologies were often based on specificlocal resources and therefore hardly transferable);
Dependent on limited resources and on much skill (skills like making
and repairing tools, but also being able to judge weatherconditions, or the tides);
Local in its character, i.e., technological solutions for specific
problems were embedded in local culture and traditions.
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From autonomy to determinismEllul characterizes modern technology by:
Automatism , i.e. there is only one best way to solve a problem,
and this technology seems to be compelling, everywhere on theplanet;
Self increase, i.e. a new technology reinforces the growth of othertechnologies: this leads to exponential growth;
Indivisibil ity: the technological way of life must be acceptedcompletely, including its good and bad sides;
Cohesion, i.e. technologies that are used in various different areashave much in common;
Universalism , i.e. technology is geographically as well asqualitatively omnipresent.
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From autonomy to determinisme.g Unabomber Attacks
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Unabomber AttacksE.g. The Car
The car increases our freedom by
increased freedom of movement
By having a car, we can do ourshopping in Malls
Small neighborhood shops disappearWe therefore are forced to have a car
So a technology like the car curbs ourliberty
UNABOMBER
Kaczynski arrested,http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/shar
emed/targets/images/pho/t304/T304687A.jpg
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Social ConstructivismSCOT-model: Social Construction of Technology
Non-linear dynamics
Relativism,
Flexibility of meaning
Relevant Social groups
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Social ConstructivismExample: Development of the B icycle
Boneshaker
PennyFarthing
LawsonsBicyclette
Macmillansbicycle
Guilmetsbicycle
GearedFacile
ClubSafety
Star
Xtraordinary
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Social ConstructivismExample: Development of the B icycle
1818
Draisienne
Two-wheeledrider-propelled
machine
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Social ConstructivismExample: Development of the B icycle
http://www.phys.uri.edu/~tony/bicycle/draisien.gif
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Social ConstructivismExample: Development of the B icycle
1861
Michaux
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Social ConstructivismExample: Development of the B icycle
1890s
Ordinary
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a7/Ordinary_bicycle01.jpg/180px-Ordinary_bicycle01.jpg
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Flex ibil ity ofMeaning
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Flex ibil ity of MeaningThe dangerous machine
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New designs
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New Designs
1874
Ariel
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Social ConstructivismExample: Development of the B icycle
from 1879
Safety bicycles
1885 Rover Safety Bicycle http://www.phys.uri.edu/~tony/bicycle/rover.gif
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Social ConstructivismExample: Development of the B icycle
Penny farthing, up to 1.5 m
Line of development guided by aspeed wish sustained by young,sportive men for whom the danger
of falling was part of the fun1893 High wheeler
http://www.bikes.msu.edu/history/web/hi-wheeler-1-P3019443.JPG
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Social ConstructivismExample: Development of the B icycle
Safety bike
Reflectors for night riding
Women, recreation cyclists, older peoplewere all interested in the developmentof a safe and comfortable bike (with
brakes, rear wheel drive, pneumatic tiresetc.)
Ultimately, interpretative flexibilitydeclined: one (safety) bike, used by all
actors, the old and the (included) newactors http://en.w
ikipedia.or
g/wiki/Image:Bicycle.j
pg
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Social ConstructivismExample: Development of the B icycle
http://marcphoto.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/gele-fietser.jpg
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Social ConstructivismExample: Development of the B icycle
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Social ConstructivismExample: Development of the Bicycle
Lessons for analyzing technological change:identify Relevant Social Groups
identify their problem perceptions
evaluate solutions through the eyes of social groups
There is not one best technology for all. However, our optionsbecome limited by positive feedback and entrenchment.