CM2554Research workshop #2

Questioning Technology: from iPhone to Google

Glasses

compensatory audio slides for the cancelled class on 24/04/14

Lela Mosemghvdlishvili

Agenda

• the Critical Theory of Technology (A. Feenberg)• what does critical mean in this context

• what are the key analytical tools of this theory• technical code, democratic rationalization

• how to apply?

Agenda for the next class

Theoretical Framework of the course

Theories on Technology

Critical Theory of Technology

technical codedemocratization of

technology

Today

Political-economy

value (economic)rent

cognitive capitalism

2nd May

Discourse Analysis

discourse, hegemony, ideology, social

movement/campaigns

9th May

What is Critical Theory?

in a narrow definition:• is associated with the Frankfurt School / the

Institute of Social Research • were concerned with the raise of

authoritarianism in the age of modernity

What is Critical Theory? (2)

• the word was coined in 1937, by Max Horkheimer: “to describe a politically committed response to the problems of modernity.”• was normative and oriented to transform capitalism

into “real democracy”, where “all conditions of social life that are controllable by human beings depend on real consensus” in a rational society .

in a broad definition: represents stream of intellectual pathways since18th century, influenced by the Enlightenment ideas. it is normative, self-reflexive and value driven

“a theory which analyzes society in the light of its used and unused or abused capabilities for improving the human condition” (Marcuse, 1964)

Critical Theory (4)

- different from ideological critique- value driven

Critical Theory (4)

“… that human life is worth living, or rather can be and ought to be made worth living” . This judgment underlies all intellectual effort; it is the a priori of social theory, and its rejection (which is perfectly logical) rejects theory itself;

2. “…in a given society, specific possibilities exist for the amelioration of human life and specific ways and means of realizing these possibilities”.

To judge among the various possible and actual modes of organizing and utilizing the available resources, which ones offer the greatest chance of an optimal development?

(Herbert Marcuse , 1964)

recap Critical Theory

broad (societal) theoretical approach (multidisciplinary)aims to explore the contradictions and omissions of a particular social world, to reveal other possibilities and news ways of being.

the Critical Theory of technologycritical constructivism

Philosophy of Technology• (Humanities)

Social Studies of Technologies • (Social Sciences)

Andrew Feenberg

the Critical Theory of technologycritical constructivism

Philosophy of Technology• (Humanities)

Instrumental Theories of Technology

Rejects negative critique of technology by:

• Heidegger• Ellul • Marcuse

1. Rejects instrumental theories (which treat tecnololgy as neutral tool) e.g. Technology Acceptance Model

2. Builds on the Social Studies of Technology (Constructivist’s contribution)

the Critical Theory of technologycritical constructivism

Philosophy of Technology• (Humanities)

Instrumental Theories of Technology

Rejects negative critique of technology by:

• Heidegger• Ellul • Marcuse

1. Rejects instrumental theories (which treat tecnololgy as neutral tool) e.g. Technology Acceptance Model

2. Builds on the Social Studies of Technology (Constructivist’s contribution)

Social Studies of TechnologySocial Construction of Technology

- since1970ies- recognize negotiability of technology, especially in the

early stage of its development.- Depending on their values and interests various relevant

groups that are involved in the development of technology negotiate development of technology.

- Negotiation leads to closure, when standard design emerges.

- However there can also be foreclosed choices

Social Studies of Technology (2)

- But still: - Are all groups equal in terms of power? - How broader social-economic system (within which

these groups are situated) influences design of technology?

- Critical Theory of Technology (sometimes referred to as Critical Constructivism)

Key notions of Critical Constructivism

Technical code

Feenberg too acknowledges the negotiability but argues that wider social system is installed in the very design of rational procedures of negotiating process. Such intersection between “ideology and technique” he calls technical code (2010). More precisely, “a technical code is a realization of an interest or ideology in a technically coherent solution to a problem”.

Examples:

Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a type of technologies that is used to control the use of digital content and devices after sale.

EULA “End-User-License-Agreements (EULA), a seemingly disparaged element to software that acts as a bridging contract between the licensor and user, as a manifestation of technological hegemony that is emulative of a broader hegemonic hierarchical order in society.” (Thomas Mead’s contribution)

Democratic Rationalization

the aim of the Critical Theory of Technology (Critical Constructivism) is: • to uncover biased technical codes (which are evident

in procedures and structure of how technological decision-making takes place, and how it is translated into technical solution.

• to contribute to democratization of technology:subjecting it to democratic and human centred values and nor merely market success (efficiency, or profitability).

Agenda for next class

Discussing political-economy

Discussing possible research themes (outcome of first

brainstorm session)

Guest Lecture on Gaming