Technological

Change and
the
Environment
By Kenneth Gould
 Introduction
• This report explores the influence of
technology on the interaction between
societies and the natural world.

• Technology as the connecting factor

between society and environment.

• Societies choose specific technologies and

how these choices influence the future
direction of technological development and
our relationship with the environment.
 Key topics:
• WHAT IS TECHNOLOGY?
• TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE

• THE AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION

• THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

• SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND TECHNOLOGICAL

DECISION MAKING
• SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION, AND
POWER
• THE MYTH OF "PROGRESS"

• THE DEMOCRATIZATION OF TECHNOLOGICAL

INNOVATION
What is Technology?
WHAT IS
TECHNOLOGY?
• Definition: Making and doing "stuff"
through social organization and
manipulation of nature.

• Driven by: Social actors and

institutions for specific purposes.
 WHAT IS
TECHNOLOGY?
Example: Classroom (making educated people)
Social Relations :
• Technology includes social systems and relationships
involved in its creation, use, and maintenance.
• A classroom layout reflects social interaction (e.g., circle
for discussion, facing front for lecture).
Ecosystem Connection:
• All classroom materials originate from nature and are
transformed through technology.
• Electricity use connects the classroom to distant resource
extraction and environmental impact.
Global Interconnectedness:
• Resources used in the classroom (e.g., electricity,
materials) come from distant communities.
• Technology connects us to people involved in resource
extraction and processing worldwide.
Technological
Change
 Technological
Change
Technological Eras
Categorization: Based on
materials and energy sources
used.
• Paleotechnic: Wood, water,
wind (e.g., bronze age)
• Eotechnic: Iron, coal (e.g.,
steam engine)
• Neotechnic: Steel, electricity
Technological Change
Human transformation of nature
defines technological eras.

Revolutions in Technology:

• Agricultural Revolution

• Industrial Revolution
Agricultural
Revolution
 The Agricultural Revolution

Hunting to Gathering:
• Humans transitioned from nomadic,
food-gathering societies.
Impact on Ecosystems:
• Large-scale transformation of natural
ecosystems into farmlands.
Rise of Permanent Settlements:
• Settled agriculture allowed for
permanent structures and possessions.
• Creation of "labor surplus" due to
increased food production.
The Agricultural Revolution

Complex Social Structures:

• Emergence of complex societies with differentiated roles &
activities.
• Construction of large-scale projects like irrigation systems.
Increased Warfare:
• Competition for fertile land led to increased focus on weapons
technology.
• Rise of central state authorities with standing armies.
Industrial
Revolution
The Industrial
Revolution
Emergence of Sociology:
• European scholars like Marx,
Weber, and Durkheim led the way.
Social Changes:
• Creation of new social classes
(proletariat & bourgeoisie).
Society-Environment Relationship:
• Dependence on non-renewable
resources like fossil fuels.
• Unsustainable energy
consumption and environmental
impacts.
The Industrial Revolution
Resource Consumption:
• Large-scale extraction of natural resources for production.
• Ecosystem degradation and depletion (e.g., deforestation).
Pollution:
• Increased production led to waste and pollution (air, water, land).
• Introduction of new environmental problems like greenhouse gases.
• Smog, waste management, water contamination, social inequities.
• Disconnection from nature due to urbanization.
Social Institutions and
Technological Decision Making
Social Institutions and
Technological Decision Making

Control of Technological Change:

• Social institutions influence the direction of technological progress.
• They exert control through funding, research agendas, and profit
motives.
1. Universities:
• Traditionally focused on objective research, but increasingly
influenced by external funding.
• States and corporations can shape university research agendas.
 Social Institutions and
Technological Decision
Making
2. States:
• Fund basic research and development, often prioritizing:
• Military power: Leading to destructive technologies and
neglecting alternative research.
• Economic competitiveness: Encouraging resource-
intensive and environmentally damaging technologies.
3. Corporations:
• Primarily driven by profit, influencing research through:
• Funding: Prioritizing lines of inquiry with potential for profit.
• Research agendas: Shaping research their own firms.
• Scientific infrastructure: Controlling labs and equipment
used in research.
• Education: Influencing curriculum and direction of higher
education.
• Suppression of research: Discouraging research that
threatens their profitability.
Science, Technological Innovation, and Power
 Science, Technological Innovation, and Power

Limited Decision Lack of Transparency "Public Consultation" Limitations

Making
A small group in Technological innovation Often occur after technology
governments and lacks democratic processes. is developed, not before.
corporations' Public has no influence on Organized by institutions
controls research decision-making despite promoting the technology,
and funding. facing consequences. potentially biased.
This results in a Public health, environment, Aim to reduce public fear,
global system and product availability are seen as irrational by vested
reflecting the affected by these decisions. interests.
interests of few.
Example: Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology Explained:
o Engineering materials at the atomic level to create new materials and technologies.

Limited Public Awareness:

o Public unaware of significant ongoing research areas like nanotechnology.

Potential Risks:
o Publicly unknown potential health risks due to:
 Lack of research on impacts of nanoparticles.
 Prioritization of profitable research over public health research.
Exposure Concerns:
o Nanoparticles already present in various consumer products (cosmetics, sunblock,
athletic wear).
o Ability to enter bloodstream.
“The Myth
of
"Progress"
 Misconceptions:
o Public believes research is objective and technological advancements are
inevitable.
o They underestimate:
 Institutional influence: The role of powerful institutions in shaping
technological direction.
The Myth of  Individual agency: The potential for the public to influence research
priorities.
"Progress"
Ideological Constructs:
o Myth of technological neutrality: Technology is seen as objective, not
influenced by social or economic factors.
o Ideology of capitalist ethics: Pursuit of private gain is assumed to naturally
benefit society.
 The Myth of "Progress":

Consequences:
o Public complacency allows
institutions to control research and
development agendas.
o The public focuses on new
technological developments instead
of shaping them.
o Lack of awareness about the power
to influence research agendas.
o Dominating ideologies hinder public
engagement (objective science,
technological neutrality,).
The
Democratization
of Technological
Innovation
 The Democratization of Technological Innovation

Goal: Achieve a more environmentally sound relationship between

society and ecosystems.
Solution: Democratize the technological innovation process.

Key Points
o Publics assess potential social and ecological impacts of
technologies.
o Citizens determine research and development goals, priorities, and
funding.
o Public input happens early in the innovation process, shaping
research directions.
 The Democratization of
Technological Innovation
Shift :
o From institutions deciding and
implementing technology without public
input.
o To public proactively shaping the
technological trajectory.

Long-Term Vision:
A new technological revolution:
 Creating technologies aligned with
social and environmental goals.
 Transforming how society guides
innovation.
References:

• Twenty lessons in environmental

sociology : Gould, Kenneth Alan : Free
Download, Borrow, and Streaming :
Internet Archive. (2015). Internet
Archive.
https://archive.org/details/twentylessonsi
ne0000goul/mode/1up?view=theater