Do you think technology shapes culture or that our culture shapes technology?

Answer 1

I think they reinforce each other in a advancing spiral. As a culture advances it develops new tools. The culture then adapts to utilizing those tools to their most efficient level ( sometimes not ) and then develops more advanced tools based on the premises of the existing tools ( or it could develop a tool based on a separate epiphany apart from current tools ). The culture then adapts to the new tools, ...

Answer 2

Definitely technology shapes culture more. What the world has now: High Speed Internet, Plasma TV's, IPODS, cell phones, has no doubt shaped how our economy works. For example, business. It would be near impossible nowadays without internet, right? And of course, economy/globalization revolves around business and the communication with other countries via phone, internet, etc.

But also, I guess culture could shape technology a bit--like maybe scientific experiments. Some people think its morally wrong to clone, so scientists have refrained a lot from cloning projects and technology is hindered a bit. Or maybe, some ways of life also can impede technology, but most of the time, only in one area.

This is an interesting question, but that's only my view.

Answer 3

Goes both ways. Some cultures have shuned technology and as such, their idea of technology is how to make a better spear, canoe or hammock. Others have developed significant technology to help their cultures reach their ever advancing goals.

On the other hand, on a micro level, technology shapes culture - how else do you explain the new army of zombies running around with little white ear-buds plugged into their iPods?

Answer 4

I think it's both. Technology comes about because of a need. Like cell phones were developed because we're such a mobile society and people needed to get in contact with others while they were in their cars (the first cells were "car phones").
But, after the technology is developed, it begins to affect the society. It's pretty obvious how cell phones have changed the way we do things. Just look at our language (which is always a good indicator of culture). "Texting" someone was not something that you said before, but now it's common.

Answer 5

They go together hand in hand. As one evolves the other evolves to satisfy each other. Balance between the two exists.

Now a days, it slowly seems like technology shapes culture because when one gets i-pod it becomes part of the culture, mtv,hollywood..all these things have become a culture. So, now evolution is heading to one end now..

Answer 6

Clearly both.

Humans dream of, design, and build devices which stimulate us and relax us, alleviate suffering and cause it, save lives and take lives, save time and waste it. We invent things to make life more convenient, expand our knowledge, entertain us, give us a new way to play, or even fix other devices.

Our collective goals, wishes, needs, fears, annoyances, and desires drive technology. And as our knowledge of the world and ourselves increases, more technology will be born.

The technology we've created then either fulfills the job for which it was created, or is used for something else... often both. These new uses and new approaches change the way we do things... even on a level as basic as the way we eat, communicate, get around, play and learn. And in the ways we research, and create still newer technology.

Our lives are therefore changed--for good and bad--as we use what we've developed from our knowledge. Major shifts in daily living can result, giving us *new* goals, wishes, needs, fears, etc., and the cycle begins again.

A quote which applies here: "If we had a reliable way to label our toys good and bad, it would be easy to regulate technology wisely. But we can rarely see far enough ahead to know which road leads to damnation. Whoever concerns himself with big technology, either to push it forward or to stop it, is gambling in human lives." (Freeman Dyson, physicist and mathematician)

Answer 7

Technological enframing renders everything, even us, as resources in an ontological machine, that discloses truth in the form of means for further means. Technology doesn't shape culture, it controls all the apertures as to how a culture can presence as such, namely a culture for the perpetuation of technology. It doesn't stand against us, it is immanently involved.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Heidegger#Later_works
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_technology

Answer 8

well both ways, cell phnes are ultimatly modeled after the 'communicators' from Star Trek in the 60's Cultre -> tech

and wifi cafes have made a sub culture of kids sitting accross the stree with a laptop

tech -> culture

it's beautiful!

Answer 9

Tech shapes Culture.

Advanced technology eventually will destroy mankind. The convenience, efficiency and natural resources depleting will cause harms to humans. Tech get us all lazy and less healthy. thats my thought