Technological Determinism– The age where technology determines change.  This relates back to the Victorian era to mean social progress.  This idea describes technology as independent with its “own course of development and it’s own of  consequences.”  All these technological tools are man-made extensions “The computer is an extension of the human brain.”  With the electronic revolution in the twentieth century this technological reliance has imploded into a cultural mass.  Today’s technological culture is an open field of vulgar, uncensored thought that is unavoidable.  An age inappropriate image can be seen within seconds whereas in the age of print media the information and those receiving it was definitely more sheltered.  “The intrinsic properties of TV also favour emotion and spectacle over reason and argument.”

Reality TV has created a ‘hyperreal’ environment for us to live in.  Meaning, the television creates a world which is more real than real.  Basically, by watching the Kardashians on TV, we believe that this is the norm and real, however this is very wrong– “reality TV is the pornography of everyday life.”  And you know that they say pornography isn’t healthy, right?

Other arguments on cultural determinism offer a more complex link between cultural transformation and technological change.  Technology interacts with the physical and the cultural as well as (possibly more) it does with objects.  Therefore, their context can be developed and studied along with their function– not just their specific form.  We can study technologies together and see their differences I.e a television vs a monitor for a computer.  These items of technology may look quite similar but serve very different purposes and emit different culture.

Technology is fundamentally invented as necessity.  To keep the flow– the movement of technology with the increase and development of society.  As culture progresses, so does technology.  Each Apple iPhone that is released comes with it’s own upgraded features to move along with society.  We need speed for our fast paced lives.  We need storage to capture all the precious moments life throws at us.  Each phone moves us towards a more media reliant culture.  However, no piece of technology is free from negatives.  There is always the “accident” that we as humans try to repress– crossed phone lines, derailments etc.  Man cannot be 100% sure of what they have created, but I guess that is where the progression of technology enters.

Where will technology take us next?

… I wish.

Andrew Murphie and John Potts, Culture and Technology. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003. Print. 11-38