Perspectives on Evolution of Technology Essay Example

or the concept of evolution of technology shows their strong link which exists between the culture and technology. According to his article on the development of civilization in Rome, culture evolves similarly to technological changes (Headrick, 2015). In his perspective, technology is the most important factor in forming the social systems. Therefore, a change or alteration in social system will directly trigger technological evolution. The evolution or change in technology comes in to give material solution to the adjustment in the environment (Headrick, 2015). In other words, Leslie observes the evolution of technology to be result effort to solve problems for survival arising from the social-cultural changes.

Alvin Toffler explained the evolution of technology based on three waves which accounts for the transformation of technology from one stage to another. For a change or a move from one wave to another, the society must do away with order systems and practices (Toffler, 2013). The three major waves in this perspective include, first wave which existed during the era of agrarian revolution, the second wave which captures the industrial revolution, and the third wave describes the era of postindustrial society. The three waves discussed under this perspective are in the series, which analysis the conditions and activities which existed in those stages. In other words, technology has evolved from lower stages up to the sophisticated technology in the contemporary society. In addition, there are demands which pushed for commerce of each new wave (Toffler, 2013). Just like Lenski, the change in the natural, human thinking and social environment is the key cause of the shift from one wave to another.

In summation, the three perspectives on evolution in

technology appreciate the role of culture and social environment in evolution. Therefore, any change in the social system in the environment will definitely trigger technological evolution. In addition, the three scholars explain evolution of technology based on stages or steps, whereby the older stage is directly replaced by the new one. Generally, technology evolves to give solutions to the demands arising from the civilization of the society. In contrast, each of the perspective gives a different view concerning the activities or things in each stage of technological evolution. This means, there is a different understanding of the technological evolution despite using stages in analyzing the concept.

References

1. Headrick, D. R. (2015). Historiography of technology and innovation. The Cambridge World History: Volume 1, Introducing World History, to 10,000 BCE.Lenski, G. (2015). Ecological-evolutionary theory: Principles and applications. Routledge.
2. Toffler, A. (2013). Revolutionary wealth. New Perspectives Quarterly, 30(4), 122-130.