Felice LaFevre

Assessing Technology

The text on technology's historical challenges, along with insights from "The Machines Stops" by

E.M. Forster, "Framing Conversations about Technology" by Bonnie A. Nardi and Vicki L. O'day, and

other sources, highlight humanity's ongoing struggle to balance the benefits and risks of technological

advancements. Together, they imply that although technology can amaze, connect, and enhance human

lives, its uncritical adoption, the dearth of widespread involvement in technological discussions, and

historical examples warn us to approach these developments with caution, ethical scrutiny, and an

understanding of the wider societal implications.

"The Machine Stops" by E.M. Forster is a cautionary story about the risks of relying too much on

technology and the possible outcomes of a machine-controlled society. Written in 1909, the narrative

imagines a future in which humanity is totally dependent on a massive Machine, living underground and

alone in individual cells. The story looks at issues like reliance on technology, the breakdown of human

connection, and the potential consequences of ignoring the environment.

At the conclusion of the tale, Kuno claims that humanity has learnt its lesson, reflecting a

dawning realization following the fall of the Machine. In the narrative, the Machine—which gives its

occupants access to every facet of life—finally breaks down, with disastrous results. Forster's story

highlights the perils of depending too much on technology without taking into account its possible

drawbacks and consequences.

It is implied that the characters in "The Machine Stops" are disconnected from both the real world

and human emotions. They rarely leave their secluded apartments and converse via a system of displays.

The protagonists' sense of alienation is exacerbated by their lack of in-person interactions and their

disconnection from nature. This dramatic portrayal acts as a cautionary tale about the potentially

dehumanizing impacts of technology when used excessively.

Kuno's claim that "Humanity has learned its lesson" may be seen as a ray of hope for a fresh

appreciation of the value of interpersonal relationships, a reassessment of the place of technology, and

perhaps even a return to a more harmonious coexistence with the natural world. The fall of the Machine
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Assessing Technology

highlights the need for a more deliberate and considered approach to innovation and makes one think

about the effects of unbridled technological growth.

Regarding practical applications, "The Machine Stops" is still important as civilizations struggle

with problems like privacy invasion, environmental deterioration, and social isolation brought on by

technology breakthroughs. It is still up for dispute whether or not humanity has taken a lesson from these

cautionary tales. The similarities between Forster's made-up universe and today's issues make us wonder

if we can ever reconcile the advancement of technology with the upholding of fundamental human values.

The narrative invites readers to contemplate how technology has affected society and how we might apply

lessons learned from the past to better prepare for the future.

The essay "Refusing to hope in a god of technology" critiques how technology affects many

facets of human existence, concentrating in particular on how dehumanizing contemporary conveniences

may be and how unquestioning acceptance of technical advancement can be.

The first section of the essay gives a detailed account of people's desire for machine-made,

flavorless, soft, white bread. This bread is compared to traditional, handmade bread that has unique

flavor, crustiness, and hardness. The predilection for bland, machine-made bread is a metaphor for the

bigger problem of how mass-produced, simulated experiences have supplanted real, meaningful ones due

to technology.

The argument is summarized by the phrase "bread in name only, made by machines for a people

who have lost their memory of bread." The author argues that mass-produced, fake alternatives for real

life experiences have caused modern civilization to lose touch with their true nature. The analogy drawn

between the bland bread and memory loss implies that people have forgotten what real, meaningful

experiences were like as a result of technology's ease and convenience.

The text also targets artists, nuns, Catholic Workers, and peace campaigners for their blind

acceptance of the Internet. These people are portrayed as being unduly enthusiastic about the advantages

of the Internet, despite the fact that one might expect them to be more wary given their alternative careers.
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Assessing Technology

The author issues a warning, pointing out that similar claims about how technology would improve

cognition, foster community, bring people closer together, and provide leisure time were made about

earlier technical innovations like the radio, television, and car.

The "monistic" viewpoint of sociologist Jacques Ellul on technology is presented, emphasizing

that every technological advancement has unanticipated negative effects. The essay then makes a

comparison between the information superhighway's possible unintended repercussions and the highway

system's actual drawbacks, which include air pollution, traffic fatalities, and geopolitical resource

conflicts.

The essay presents examples that collectively bolster the argument that technology erases

memories and substitutes mass-produced, simulated experiences for genuine ones. The criticism covers a

range of technical developments, emphasizing how, in the face of progress's naive acceptance,

genuineness and meaningful relationships are lost.

In order to ensure thoughtful discussions and well-informed decision-making, the historical

perspective offered in the text "Framing Conversations about Technology" highlights the ongoing

challenge of adapting to technological change. It also emphasizes the necessity of broader participation in

these conversations.

The opening line of the text alludes to the 70-year-old movie "Metropolis" to show that worries

and queries regarding technology are nothing new. This historical viewpoint serves as a helpful reminder

to readers that the difficulties in adjusting to technological change have existed since the creation of the

first machines. The essay recognizes the creative allure of technology, giving instances like deciphering

genetic structures, taking pictures of stars in the process of birth, and carrying out in utero surgery. These

achievements highlight the positive sides of technology and are meant to inspire astonishment and

admiration for human ingenuity.

The essay admits that it's difficult to predict how implementing new technologies would affect

people's quality of life. It makes the argument that advancements in technology have an impact on a
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Assessing Technology

variety of facets of life, such as employment, education, family, business, politics, and warfare. This

acknowledgment demonstrates the significant influence of technology on society. The book mentions

how people's attempts to comprehend how new technologies operate are frequently met with resistance as

they appear mysterious. It implies that a perceived lack of experience is the reason why many people do

not view themselves as significant contributors capable of providing knowledgeable comments regarding

technology. This dynamic makes it difficult to participate meaningfully in talks on technology.

The authors contend that the manner in which technologies are incorporated into daily life are

weakened by the lack of widespread engagement in discussions concerning technology. They stress how

crucial it is to provide more people the chance to actively participate in conversations and decision-

making on technology. The authors characterize their empirical research as ethnographic, going into

different environments to watch routines and interview people. They are able to gain understanding of the

intricate operations of particular ecosystems thanks to this method. As they work to close the gap between

technological advancement and its effects on people's lives, they clearly play the role as critical friends of

technology.

The essay makes the observation that individuals frequently avoid giving their technology a

critical eye, viewing it more like unavoidable forces of nature than as carefully thought-out components.

A portion of this lack of critical attention is ascribed to the novelty and excitement of new technology,

which might encourage hasty adoption without enough thought. An example of NetDays, an initiative to

connect public schools to the Internet, is given in the text. Despite having the best of intentions, the

authors point out that some local schools had trouble adjusting to the new technology once it was put into

place, underscoring the possible complications that might occur with the quick adoption of new technical

solutions.

All of these texts point to the need for a careful balance in the interaction between technology and

people. Technology can be a source of innovation and connection, but it also presents problems and
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Assessing Technology

ethical issues that must be addressed. To address these issues, a critical and inclusive approach is

required.

Forster, E. M. (Edward Morgan), and Rod Mengham. The Machine Stops and Other Stories.
André Deutsch, 1997.
Osterer, Irv. "Expressive TyPOgraPHy." Arts & Activities, vol. 151, no. 2, Mar. 2012, p. 39.
Phillips, Arthur. "The Cultural Cringe (1950)." Meanjin Anthology, edited by Sally Heath,
Melbourne University Publishing, 2012, pp.31-37.