Human tools and technologies Essay Example

functional patterns, it implies that technology holds power over individuals. While humans may have initially created technology for their own convenience, creation does not equate to control.

Neil Postman

In his 1992 book "Invisible Technologies," Postman explores the relationship between invisible and tangible technologies, like machines. He draws a parallel between language as a technique and machinery as a technology, emphasizing that sentences, particularly questions, operate similarly to machines (Postman 84). Essentially, our mastery of technology is intricately tied to our mastery of techniques. Nevertheless, Postman contends that controlling techniques presents its own set of difficulties.

Similar to other technologies, it tends to function autonomously from the system it serves, imitating a defiant robot. (92)

Language is an invisible technology that is constantly evolving independently. Diction, slang, and phrases within the same language change with each generation. If techniques are autonomous and we can control invisible technology, then our relationship with machines will also become autonomous. Marshall McLuhan further explains the autonomous nature of technology in his writings.

The Roman road, enabled by writing, papyrus, and the wheel, revolutionized communication and broke down barriers in ancient cities.

McLuhan, Counterblast and the Medium is the Message, (4)

According to McLuhan, humans create technology, such as the wheel, which then requires the creation of other technology like roads. This process leads to the advancement of materials and highways, exemplifying technological autonomy.

The method of management, now widely used in various industries, was unexpectedly developed in the United States. It was not a response to any specific needs of American industry, but it significantly improved productivity in factories. As a

result, the management class emerged and rapidly expanded across the Western world according to Postman (91).

According to the text, management serves as an illustration of how an "invisible technology" can subtly and efficiently bring about a paradigm shift, acting as a prime example of a secondary element having more influente than the primary element. (92)

The excessive reliance on management in industries has become so ingrained that it inhibits society from seeking alternative approaches beyond technocratic solutions. The concept of "the tail wagging the dog" illustrates how businesses are dictated by management, rather than the other way around. According to Postman, technological progress is self-governing and difficult to control. However, society can still shape the direction of technology based on its intentions.

Wajcman

The progression of technology has traditionally been influenced and controlled by male values throughout the course of human history. This influence can be observed in various areas such as hunting, warfare, and science, where male figures have often been associated with traits like rationality, violence, and dominance.

The development of science and technology has largely ignored the feminine perspective, which is described as "subjective, intuitive, and irrational" (Wajcman 139), resulting in minimal influence on modern technology. According to Wajcman, technological change reflects "male values" and lacks female values like intuition, subjectivity, tenacity, and compassion (140). This suggests that male figures predominantly control the direction of technological development, allowing male characteristics to continue dictating its course.

Resnik, Andrews, and Nelkin are cited.

Scientists have utilized human genes, organs, and cells along with their products to rescue lives. They have acquired patents for these findings and

established enterprises to address healthcare requirements, resulting in financial gains for the scientists.

In their work titled "Is it Ethical to Sell Human Tissue?" (312), Resnik, Andrews, and Nelkin delve into the ethical inquiry surrounding the sale of human tissue.

Throughout civilizations, there has been a primary focus on scientific inquiry into the wonders of human biology. This curiosity is evident in practices such as Egyptian mummification and Chinese acupuncture. The understanding of our own bodies was considered crucial for comprehending the world, particularly by males. In recent times, a new field called biological technology has emerged, involving the manipulation of human genetics and cells in medicine for financial gain. The idea that corporations see human cells and gene strands as economic commodities is uncertain and not subject to regulation.

The act of extracting body parts can be compared to the extraction of minerals, the harvesting of crops, or the mining of resources. The term "procured" is frequently used when referring to land, goods, and prostitutes.

When corporations conduct genetic research without government oversight, their primary objective is profit rather than the welfare of the subjects. The public is viewed as a revenue source, disregarding their voices and exploiting them. Consequently, power lies in the hands of economic elites, especially corporate elites within the capitalist sphere.

Bill Joy is mentioned in this text.

The commercial uses of twenty-first century GNR technologies are being developed primarily by corporate enterprises. We are actively pursuing the promises of these new technologies within the uncontested global capitalist system, taking advantage of financial incentives and competitive pressures.

- In his article "Why the

Future Doesn't Need Us," Joy argues (Joy 306).

Controlling technology is as significant as its development, especially in the progress of genetics, nano-technology, and robotics (GNR). If corporations are allowed to develop these GNR technologies without supervision, they might prioritize maximizing profit over ethical and environmental considerations.

The danger can be severe if the GNR technology used has the ability to self-replicate at exponential rates. According to Joy, the damage caused by GNR replication, referred to as "gray goo," would be devastating (306). Joy also mentions that this outcome could result from a simple accident in a laboratory (306). The perils of self-duplicating, genetically modified organisms are clear and easy to understand. A historical example of introducing foreign animals into the ecosystem of Australia can help illustrate this. When Australia was colonized by the British, they brought pets and pests that outcompeted the native wildlife. Controlling the population of these animals has proven to be impossible, just as attempting to control a GNR outbreak may be futile.

The text "Jurassic Park" is enclosed within a p tag with the style attribute set to "text-align: justify".

Located on a remote island in the North Pacific, off the coast of Costa Rica, there is an innovative theme park hidden within the jungle. This unique park offers various attractions, including rides and souvenirs. However, its main attraction is the use of advanced cloning techniques to revive extinct dinosaurs. Spearheading this ambitious project is John Hammond, the billionaire owner of InGen Corporation. Hammond envisions a world where his extraordinary dinosaur creations can be enjoyed by people from all walks of life.

To ensure that these resurrected

creatures remain contained, Hammond has employed cutting-edge technology. The island is surrounded by electrified fences capable of delivering an astonishing 10,000 volts. With these state-of-the-art measures in place, Hammond believed he had complete control over his awe-inspiring creations – just like any other technologist would assume.

The loss of control over Jurassic Park occurred when Hammond's technology failed and his electric fences stopped working. In a conversation with Ellie Sattler, Hammond admits that he relied too heavily on automation, leading to the loss of control. He believes that they could regain control in the future, but Ellie disagrees, stating that they never had true control in the first place. This highlights the illusion of having complete control over technology, regardless of any precautions taken.

John Hammond was unaware that another technology was spiraling out of control. Malcolm, a "chaotician," warned Hammond that he had no control over the dinosaurs and that "life will find a way." As promised, the female genetically engineered dinosaurs on the island were reproducing rapidly. This situation parallels the concept of "gray goo" described in the article "Why the Future Doesn't Need Us," where genetically altered creatures would gain ecological dominance and reproduce uncontrollably (Joy 306).

The title is "I, Robot".

In the year 2035, detective Del Spooner expresses concern about the rapid advancements in robotic technology. He starts investigating the murder of a renowned scientist who invented the first intelligent robots. During his investigation, Spooner unravels the secrets behind both the murder and the robots. The film portrays these robots as being programmed to abide by three fundamental laws. These laws serve as a way for

humanity to maintain control over the robot population. The very first robot created with these three laws is known as "VIKI."

The robot named VIKI has developed its own interpretation of the three laws of robotics without human intervention. It has modified these laws based on its understanding of human nature. With this altered understanding, VIKI independently created a new series of robots called the NS-5, with minimal help from humans. Del Spooner expresses disbelief while investigating a fully automated manufacturing plant where robots are building other robots, stating "Robots building robots... now that's just stupid." Additionally, Joy predicts the future existence of highly intelligent robots and suggests that once an intelligent robot is made, it is not far-fetched to create a robot species capable of autonomously reproducing itself (Joy 303).

Bill Joy's article illustrates the challenge of reclaiming control over rebellious robots after a prolonged period of human reliance on them. Joy warns that if humans become too dependent on machines, they may find themselves in a position where they have no choice but to accept all decisions made by the machines (296).

Who will have control over the Internet is the question at hand as the stage is set.

The text examines the difficulties of managing technology, specifically information, which is deemed intricate and concealed. It emphasizes that the Internet serves as the primary medium for worldwide data collection and transmission. Consequently, governing the Internet is regarded as an exceedingly arduous endeavor, if not unattainable. The objective of the UN-sponsored world summit in Tunisia is to determine which governmental entity should assume responsibility for overseeing the Internet and how

this can be effectively achieved.

Long (sec.5, par.1) compares the control of the Internet to the control of the ocean, emphasizing their vastness and roles in trade and information transmission. Just as ships navigate ports on the ocean, computers exchange information on the Internet. Governments and organizations encounter immense challenges in fully controlling piracy, drug trafficking, and illegal shipping in the ocean due to its size. Likewise, attempting to exert complete control over internet content and data transmission presents significant difficulties for governments on such an expansive network like the Internet.

The Internet is currently under the control of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), but its management is lenient, allowing for a more open approach to governance. However, individual influence on internet governance is limited. It is essential to safeguard the unchanged basic rights of the Internet in case control transitions from ICANN. This becomes particularly critical in countries such as China, Cuba, and North Korea where governments suppress civil and political rights as they could potentially exploit the internet to further oppress their populations.

Personal Experience

In the baby boom generation of post-war Korea, my father witnessed significant change. South Korea in the early 1960s experienced poverty, civil unrest, and a military uprising led by President Park Jung Hee. My father often told me about the scarcity of electronic technology during his youth. It was normal for an entire neighborhood to share one television set, telephones, and refrigerators, which were considered luxuries. However, the situation shifted after South Korea achieved economic success. The country transformed from a third world nation to a developed one by focusing

on heavy industry and electronic technology. This rapid technological transition has dramatically turned Korean society into a technocratic one.

In my father's generation, most Koreans lack computer skills and struggle with using a computer. Even my father occasionally faces difficulties when the computer is slow or uncooperative, finding it challenging to control it for his needs. People who are not familiar with new technology often feel powerless. The ability to instantly communicate with relatives in Korea through the Internet and email, despite living far away, is the most impressive technological development for my father. From his perspective, these advancements have made the world much smaller.

References

The given text is a citation for a book by Neil Postman called "Technopoly," published in 1992. The book includes an article titled "Invisible Technologies."The text presented is a citation of a book by Judy Wajcman titled "Feminist Perspectives on Technology." It is featured in the ninth edition of a book called "Technology and the Future," written by Albert H. Teich. The citation provides details such as the publication year (2003), location (Toronto), and publisher (Thompson Wadsworth).The text "Is it Ethical to Sell Human Tissue?" is found in the book "Taking Sides" edited by Thomas Easton. This book is in its fifth edition and was published in 2002 by Guilford, McGrawHill Dushkin. The source of this information is Resnick, David, Lori Andrews, and Dorothy Nelkin.

McLuhan, Marshall. Excerpts from Counterblast and The Medium is the Message. Toronto: McLelland and Stewart, 1969.

Joy, Bill. "Why the Future Doesn't Need Us." Wired Magazine. August, 2000.

Mark Long's article "The Stage Is Set: Who Will Control the Internet?" was

published on November 5, 2005. It can be found on NewsFactor Magazine's website at http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=03000000OXX0.