almost philosophical, and another recurring theme from prior readings.

This illuminates the idea presented earlier in class where technology was an art longer than a science like today.

Feudal lords saw the benefits of the new technology and required their gentry to use the mills they owned for more profit.

manufacturing more productive due to advances in metal technology and use. Waterwheels providing power for mills is significant.

this is leaders and administration of production and redistribution which leads to new forms of society.

A recurring theme.

heavy iron plow, horse harness, and triennial crop rotation and fertilization with marl caused this. Again we see how storing more food leads to more advanced society.

Important to understand why some things regressed, leading to illiteracy.

This important because it shows how technology was learned and spread for a time.

Important to note.

important. relation 3 of 3. essence and physis vs poiesis. Plato's theory of ideas. the "thing" exists in a realm prior to the thing itself. uses the techne idea for both physis and poiesis.

important. relation 2 of 3. physis (natural) and existence vs. essence. essence AND existence emerge together. the "what it is" (essence) is only human construction, this is episteme.

important. Relationship 1 of 3

relationship of the 2 DISTINCTIONS. poiesis related to existence vs essence. physis related to existence vs essence. essence related to physis vs. poiesis. These are the main themes of the next few paragraphs, in the order written. techne again is the field related to the artifact (poiesis).

Another important theme. Existence = to be or not to be; essence = what is it? West philosophy existence is hard to define.

the field related to the Poiesis. i.e. medicine, carpentry. Each techne has a purpose and meaning related to the artifact, which depends on human activity. where physis does not.

This is one of the main themes. Physis = nature; Poiesis = manmade "artifacts"

William Buckland

Nye, D.E. Technology matters: Questions to live with

02/04/2018

Summary

        Nye’s Chapter 1 “Can we Define Technology?” has many interesting themes relating to technology. He begins this chapter with a theme of technology and human/animal evolution. Nye points out that for a time, it was thought only humans used tools, even until Benjamin Franklin’s time. Well, it was actually Benjamin Franklin who came up with the idea that tool-making is what makes humans different from animals.  Only more recent studies have shown animals, such as a chimpanzee, using tools… Not sure what the .... is for AND doing so with foresight.

        The article makes a point to describe in detail specific traits of humans which have evolved. It discusses the opposition between thumb and finger, the enlarging of the human cortex, and humans' adaptability. Furthermore, he contrasts animal and human relationships to technology for further illumination: “’animals are atechnical; they are content with the simple act of living.’ Humans, in contrast, continually redefine their necessities to include more.”

Nye goes on to make the point about tools being inseparable from human evolution. He suggests that this means tools are more than simple objects, rather they express larger sequences of actions and ideas. Nye insinuates the mind plays an important role, and that an imagination of altered circumstances, or how present circumstances may be made different, are necessary for tool creation. These paragraphs can actually go together. They are a bit too short on their own.

        Deeper in the chapter, a new theme emerges about technology and science: the "fundamental misconception." Nye begins this theme by describing a bookstore, and where one may find books related to technology. They would not be found in their own section, rather mixed in many sections throughout.  again, your paragraphs are too short

Nye states that the commonly held misconception is discoveries emerge from “pure science,” and that technology is simply the solution through scientific principles. Throughout history, technology has come first, and then the science to explain how it works followed. Even more oddly, technology can arise before there was ever a need for it! What does this mean?

Nye also points out people’s general misconception of what to call technology. Cyril Stanley Smith believes it should be called an art. Most people believe it is an applied science, supposedly word choice falsely. Smith makes the point that while technology in modern times is more of an applied science, it was an art form throughout much of history, longer than it has been an applied science.

        Nye’s last theme in the end of the chapter is technology and culture: “technological determinism.” As previously mentioned, Nye made a point about technology being inseparable from human evolution. Technology was a major factor in societal evolution. “Learning to use tools was a crucial step… because it led to a more complex social life.”

The article points out that tools predate written language. Nye suggests that telling stories and using tools are similar, and both contribute to social development. Humans are determined to have more and do more, and tools are the method. This is an example of “technological determinism,” defined as a reductionist theory that assumes that a society's technology determines the development of its social structure and cultural values.

Nye’s use of imagery to define “technological determinism” is quite good. The article describes a scene from Kubrick’s 2001 where an ancestor of modern man picks up a bone, uses it as a weapon, then throws it into the air where it turns into a space station. Kubrick is implying that technology is determined; there has been a continuous development from pre-stone age to present times. Nye closes by posing a question: “Should we accept such determinism?”

Response

Looking at Nye’s theme on technology and evolution, I understood all of it, and was not challenged in my comprehension. For the most part, it resonated with everything I have known and believed, short of learning some new facts and ideas. I did not know it was believed only humans used tools, and the idea of tools expressing a sequence of actions was something I did not ponder before. This theme has affected my relationship to technology in the sense that I realize the profound impact it had on our own evolution. If tools were never used, or hardly used, we may still resemble our prehistoric ancestors. I also saw how “known” truths or facts can evolve or change over time, just as humans and technology.

The next theme was slightly more challenging. I suppose that is normal given the theme is technology and science: the “fundamental misconception.” I have always thought of technology as an applied science, so it was a new idea for me to think of technology as an art. I also never thought about the labels of technology, or how researching it may be problematic since it is mixed into many sections of a library and has been called many names. As you pointed out, I failed to relate the bookstore layout to show that we don’t treat technology in its own right. That was my understanding, but I did not accurately portray this. This theme certainly raised my awareness and relationship to technology by making me realize that it will be challenging to research it, and how it is vastly different now than it has been over the course of history. It also made me think that perhaps the order in which technology arises, i.e. technology, need, scientific explanation, is not important. It seems to go in any order throughout history. More recent times would certainly suggest the order proceeds in the opposite direction than is written above. Very good thinking here.

The last theme discussed, technology and culture: “ technological determinism” was very interesting to learn about. I wouldn’t say it was challenging, as much as it was a learning of new ideas and insights about technology. I definitely accept what I learned, and it resonates with my general previously held knowledge. I had a profound philosophical thought, relating to tools predating written language. Tools were needed to write language, so it could be said that tools are the cultivating factor of human culture and society. Without tools, there is no written communication to be shared, bringing the world’s knowledge together. though, if you consider writing as a tool in itself, then it's just a matter of one tool being used to create another Man will never stop needing, wanting, inventing, creating, all at an astronomical rate that accelerates over time. It is an exciting time to be alive surrounded by so much technology, but at the same time, at which point do the risks outweigh the benefits? This is similar to Nye’s closing question, and a moral dilemma for many who think about “technological determinism.” This has impacted my relationship personally to technology, in that I can imagine technology as its own being, “determined” to grow of its own accord in a sense.

comparing nations is a good reference.

"mechanical arts" instead of technology used here

writing born from the tools.

Important historical significance!!!

HUGE!

This seems important to note!

What a drastic change Fired points out! From rank to stratified to state! Due to domesticating animals and plants.

Important information here. also note social impact.

This is the revolution in part 2...

Part 2 of the historical timeline marked here.

I always wondered who came up with this and how. I suppose if everyone were living this way in the world it may be an appropriate assumption, but the world we live in is quite different. A very hopeful and rather empty/naive philosophic view to come up with in my opinion.

I never knew this! But how amazing to have such recent peoples living in such a manner to show us how we may have lived all those years ago. No other collectible data like that.

Very interesting to note in tracing the historical origins of tools... It is actually likely we have been using tools even longer than we know!

further explanation of bipedality.

This seems to be the most common sense and middle of the road approach. It is good to know all three, but even better to pick one to view the reading with as a lens.

Let's start at the beginning. Historical reference.

This basically explains what to expect and look for the rest of the reading.

P. After reading just the first paragraph, I predict that this reading will make a point to show how culture and technology interacted during this time period.

I suppose this is the big picture view of humanity and technology, inseparable from each other, rapidly evolving, at some points not even understanding our own technology, or the impacts they may have, nonetheless, it continues.

following the rabbit...

Another useful, and more modern definition.

I always wondered why Germans and Technology kind of went hand in hand...

This makes me think that research of "technology" would prove difficult pre-1800's... and more proof why defining it is still finalizing.

Important to note, because this may hint as to why there was no coined term for things that were created with no explanation behind them at the time.

Showing the difficulties in defining technology. People generally misunderstand how to use it in science.

a valuable interpretation of the definition of technology.

I understand this as I am a hands-on learner as opposed to an auditory learner.

This statement is leading to the bigger picture of this reading, i.e. technology is sometimes created before it is needed even understood.

How then could it have been defined at its birth?

It is helpful, when trying to define something, to see contrast/comparison.

The meaning and use of the term "technology" has evolved over the millenia. An excellent opening statement!

P: Based on the guiding question and the reading overview, my prediction is that this will show there are many ways to define technology.

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I made a new account with my name now