Social Cost of TechnologySocial Cost of Technology

Technology myths

• Technology can function w/out altering existing social arrangements

• Technological solutions are better than (less painful) social or political solutions

Cost of Technology• Market forces are not the only source of

technological innovation

• Sometimes cost is a concern in developing technology, yet sometimes it is not: – Defence industry--> 25 million/fighter plane – Space Programs--> $$$$$$$$$$$ – Medical intervention for life threatening illnesses

• Opportunity Costs?Opportunity Costs?

Diffusion• 1500's— China produced most Technology • 1500-1700's— Europe leads world in Technological

advances • Yet many of these Technologies were the continuation of

earlier advances in technology from China and elsewhere

• Sharing of Technology isn’t as simple as merely transplanting Technology from place to place

Technologies shared between countries can be used for very different purposes – China— Gun Powder— used medicinally for centuries— passed

on to Europe – Europe— within short time using it for cannons and firearms

Access to Technology

• Not all countries have equal resources (human and material)

• Even if Technologies can be transferred the results are not always desirable

»Pakistan— introduction of tractor— replaces worker— 40% unemployment rate

»Workers migrate to cities— dire poverty results— per acre crop yields hardly increased at all.

• Equal use of Technologies can havedevastating impact

– U.S. (pop. 290 million)-- one car/ 1.5 people – China (pop. 1.5 billion)-- one car/ 500 people – Could we afford to equalize resources w/out resource and environmental breakdown???

• Technology of one country may not makes good economic sense for another country

• Poorer countries need Technologies that create human jobs, not replace human jobs

• Technologies are often chosen by small power groups that represent their interests rather than the interests of the country.

Effects of Technological Change:

Yir Yoront: • Australian aboriginals (Paleolithic people) • Greatest Technology was Stone Axe • Stone axe—simple axe but involved many materials • Axe tied to gender identity—only men possessed axe. • Introduction of steel axe by missionaries- men, women & children got axes • Men lost distinct identity, culture began to disintegrate • Demise of Yir Yoront not only tied to axe, BUT axe is a good symbol for the

new world and technology imposing itself on traditional aboriginal peoples

Caliente Nevada:• Small town supported by single industry: steam locomotives • Onset of diesel-electric locomotive • Once thriving community vanished within a few years.

Another Example?

Opposing Change

The Luddites

• Luddite: anyone opposed to modern technology and its extensions.

• Luddites- different groups who smashed machines, but began in hosiery trade. – Hosiery trade- wanted to use wider frames to make more hosiery for

less money. – Allowed for use of less skilled (cheaper) labour. Workers objected. – Fear of unemployment because of technological change, not intrinsic

fear of machinery. – Machinery was target for aggression. – Worker Protest eventually took more peaceful forms

—e.g. unions were established.

Were the Luddites justified in their attacks on machinery?  What about modern day Luddites?

What examples of technological changes can you give?  Are they successful?   How can we judge success in this context?

Can you think of some established industries that have been undermined by technological advance?  What industries might be threatened in the future?