Questions for Technological Determinism

JC Church

9/21/26

Digital Media: Theory and Practice

Questions for Technological Determinism

1. What is the impact of writing invention on social changes by breaking through the limits

of oral culture?

The impact of the invention of writing on social changes by breaking through the limits of oral culture is that it ascended the previous bounds that came with the oral transmission of knowledge. In the article Walter Ong expressed his opinion that oral transmission had been heavily tainted by hierarchical control with the indefinite knowledge of history only being stored in the minds of those who experienced it first hand. With it most likely going through a multitude of changes of time went on through missing details or added details whether due to forgetfulness or differentiating opinions to sway history in favor or against a certain group. Ong believed that writing allowed knowledge to be accessible to a much larger group of people instead of those just at the top of the hierarchical order. Also allowing more details to be filled on certain topics since people didn't have to solely rely on their minds for information and different perspectives could be added to fill in any missing pieces.

2. How does gunpowder weaponry allows Islamic states to control vast territory in history?

Gunpowder weaponry allowed Islamic states to control a vast territory in history because with gunpowder weaponry comes a sufficient advantage in battles against less advanced weaponry. It allowed for Islamic states to control vast territories by giving their armies powerful cannons and firearms that helped them defeat enemies and conquer fortified cities. This technology strengthened the power of rulers and made it easier to expand and maintain large empires. This is an example of technological determinism because a new technology, gunpowder weapons, helped shape political power and the development of society. 

3. What is “print capitalism”? How does “print capitalism” change people’s life and create

shared culture that eventually leads to modern nation state?

Print capitalism is the term used to describe how the printing press allowed for the creation of cohesive society with a common language and common culture. Print capitalism changed people's lives and created a shared culture which eventually led to the modern nation state through weekly newspapers. By receiving weekly newspapers everyone within an area was able to obtain the same news which in thus made people begin to see themselves as being part of the same shared culture. This would eventually lead to the formation of todays modern state because these societies would begin to see themselves as an imagined community which would evolve into the formation of the states that we know today.

4. How does the invention of Internet change our way of communication? Why do we feel

more isolated sometimes even with the easy communication on the Internet?

The invention of the internet changed the way we communicate because it gave humans the ability to communicate with millions of different people from all over the world whether they be family, friends, or complete strangers. However, the internet isn’t simply used for simple communication purposes such as chatting with someone but it can be used for a multitude of different purposes such as listening to music like radio, taking photos like a camera, and even ordering food like a restaurant. However, even with all this innovation we sometimes feel more isolated even with the easy and endless communication because all of these new variations of communication are replacing organic, natural, and physical human interaction with many being in favor of technological communication compared to face to face.

5. What are the strength and weakness of technological determinism? How do we criticize

technological determinism with human free will?

The strengths of technological communication are that it allows for widespread historical coverage covering the entirety of human history and providing a theoretical explanation for the evolution of all human societies and it’s extremely adaptable being used to explain complex phenomena. On the other hand, the weaknesses of technological determinism are that it only explains complex changes in societies in relation to technology ignoring other factors and it ignores free will tending to underplay the importance of human free will in choosing how to use technology. We further the criticism of technological determinism with human free will in that any technology can have an impact on human society but only in relation to if humans will use it. While smartphones and the internet are the start of a technical revolution many people are actively trying to avoid technology participating in whats known as a digital detox.