161.1
Communication, Media, Technology, and Global Social Change
Technology permits to act upon the social and physical environment and to solve problems. As Moore (1972: 5) wrote: “(Technology is) the application of knowledge to the achievement of particular goals or to the solution of particular problems.” It includes physical objects (e.g. a smartphone); a way of doing something (e.g. communicating by written language); and, an organization of practices (e.g. housing loans) (Massey 2012: 139). According to Rudi Volti (2001: 6, 11), technology is “a system based on the application of knowledge, manifested in physical objects and organizational forms, for the attainment of specific goals (…). (It is) not just material artifacts (but includes) human skills, organizational patterns, and attitudes.”
Technology is created, supplied, adapted, used, and affects the life of people. They use these resources, possess skills, and understand this cultural element. If one regards computers and the Internet, one recognizes that this technology has meant new manners of interactions that are adapted to the interests of its users.
Technology signifies to apply scientific knowledge to solve specific problems. Technological advances such as automobiles, airplanes, radio, television, cellular phones, and computers have brought major changes to world societies. In fact, 20th century technology has fundamentally changed the way people meet, interact, learn, work, play, and travel.
Massey, Garth (2012) Ways of Social Change: Making Sense of Modern Times.
Milan, Stephania (2013) Social Movements and their Technologies: Wiring Social Change.
Moore, Wilbert E. (ed.) (1972) Technology and Social Change.
Schuerkens, Ulrike (2017) Social Changes in a Global World.
Volti, Rudi (2001) Society and Technological Change. 4th ed.