Technological Determinism Summary

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In order to discuss the critiques made by media scholars in relation to technological determinism as an explanation for change in digital media, the theory of technological determinism should be examined and defined. Raymond Williams notes that technological determinism “is an immensely powerful and now largely orthodox view of the nature of social change. New technologies are discovered by an essentially internal process of research and development, which then sets the conditions of social change and process.” (1974, p. 5) In other words, the technological determinist takes on the view that technology determines a society’s social structure, values, change and progress. Moreover, Freedman similarly notes that technological development is …show more content…
Manovich implies that technologies are always improving on preceding technologies as he identifies that convergent processes were occurring in the nineteenth century. Manovich states that as a result of social context, the development and impact of new technologies was emerging by the end of the nineteenth century. (Manovich 2001, p.59) In other words, Manovich notes that the convergence of new media began in the nineteenth century. Manovich highlights that the relationship between technology and culture led to the convergence of new media. As a result, Manovich uses examples which support the cultural determinist. In that an invention will not be introduced until there is a particular social need for that technology. This is highlighted through society’s drive to see a version of the Mac OS in colour as its initial versions appeared in monochrome. As a result, this societal drive led to the development of the technologies that could represent colour effectively. Thus, Manovich’s account can be used as a critique on technological determinism as it is highlighted that the relationship between technology and culture led to the convergence of new media and is therefore an explanation for change in digital …show more content…
(2008, p.44) For example, after World War II, there was a need to expand upon the radio industry and as a result the television was introduced in its infancy. Therefore, Flew criticises technological determinism for taking the stance that technologies are introduced to a society without a prior need for that particular technology. In conjunction with this critique, Flew agrees with the cultural determinist as an explanation for change in digital

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