Borg conclusion
when new technology comes in, does it disrupt the
patterns of society or do we more end up using it to reinforce
those patterns
- in the very early days of chauffeur mechanics
there was disruption, but car owners quickly restored the
old balance
- did household technology free up women to do
less housework?
how much power does knowledge give you?
Society can limit that or exaggerate it
so why do cars have computers?
- because manufacturer's sought to meet pollution control
regulations by tweaking, not redesign
- because putting diagnostics in the car seemed the best
way to reassure owners anxious about being cheated by
mechanics
- do we prefer our technologies turned into black boxes?
- can higher tech work raise the status of mechanics, or
are old expectations too strong?
Should mechanics wear gloves? hazards: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/hesis/Documents/autorepair.pdf
How much of the mistrust of auto mechanics is due to social
class, and how much is due to mistrust of the technology?
"The too-easy distinctions that our culture has created
between manual and mental work, between "skill" and
"intelligence," are inappropriate and limiting in the repair
shop as well as in many other occupations." p. 174
today's impact of technology example: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/19/boston-marathon-bombing_n_3114504.html
- more information, both valid and wrong
- more opportunities for the public to help
- affects more people--eg. transit shut down
- affects people's ideas and feelings more
- are we desensitized to violence