Introduction: Technology and Human Culture
Technology, in simple terms, refers to innovative discoveries or inventions that facilitate human activities in various areas causing fusion of technology and human culture. It emerges in response to the fundamental need for improvement. However, this advancement can also pose challenges for human beings, initiating a cycle of continuous invention of technological devices and subsequent problem-solving. As Amanda Cravens pointed out, there exists a dynamic relationship between human culture, technology, and the surrounding environment (Cravens, 2003).
In her article titled “The Dynamic Relationship Between Technology and Culture,” Cravens argues that “All technologies are shaped by their particular culture,” emphasizing the influence of geography and the physical environment on technology (Cravens, 2003). In essence, she suggests that the physical environment gives rise to human needs, prompting the development of technologies. When these technologies create problems, it leads to the creation of more technologies. Cravens provides the example of the irrigation system in the Middle East, illustrating how it gave rise to the need for more technologies, transforming the culture in the process (Cravens, 2003). This implies a mutual dependence between technology and culture, as they continually shape and influence each other in a transformative manner.
Example: Technology and Human Culture
Similarly, Charlie Gilkey has argued, drawing from historical examples, that “The technology that powered the industrial revolution created the industrial society,” and this transformation gave rise to a culture of mass production, subsequently influencing broader cultural aspects such as music genres like jazz and the emergence of social phenomena like chatting in chat rooms (Gilkey, 2015). Gilkey suggests that as soon as technology becomes integrated into our culture, it has the power to alter the very cultural values that initially shaped it. He emphasizes the idea that there is an awareness that technology is, in a sense, creating itself. According to him, significant technological changes bring about substantial social changes, giving rise to major technologies (Gilkey, 2016).
In essence, Gilkey is conveying that technology has the capability to shape and change human beings and their culture. This transformed culture, in turn, generates new needs for innovative technologies. Moreover, it sparks a heightened awareness of these transformations, creating an entirely new cultural milieu that fuels further technological innovations.
Conclusion: Technology and Human Culture
In short, the intricate relationship between culture and technology is characterized by a mutual dependence and constant influence on one another. When one undergoes a transformation, it inevitably triggers changes in the other, initiating an ongoing cycle of reciprocal influence. The dynamic interplay between culture and technology is such that alterations in one variable invariably lead to corresponding adjustments in the other.
It is accurate to assert that both culture and technology are intricately connected through human interaction, forming a symbiotic relationship. Human beings, in their interactions with their environment, play a pivotal role in shaping both cultural values and technological advancements. The evolving nature of culture and technology is a testament to the continuous interplay between these two elements, where each serves as a catalyst for change in the other. In essence, to affirm that both culture and technology impact human interaction with their environment is not only accurate but underscores the profound interconnectedness of these fundamental aspects of human existence. This interdependence creates a dynamic and ever-evolving landscape where cultural transformations spark technological innovations, and vice versa, fostering a perpetual cycle of influence and adaptation.
References: Technology and Human Culture
- Cravens, A. (February 22, 2003). “The Dynamic Relationship Between Technology and Culture.” Swarth More. Retrieved on February 10, 2019 from http://fubini.swarthmore.edu/~ENVS2/S2003/Amanda/Paper2technologyculture.htm
- Gilkey, C. (April 21, 20150. “Technology and Culture Influence Each Other.” Productive Flourishing. Retrieved on February 10, 2019 from https://www.productiveflourishing.com/technology-and-culture-influence-each-other/
Relevant Questions
- How does the intertwining of technology and human culture contribute to the evolution of societal norms and values?
- In what manner does technological innovation shape the cultural identity of communities and individuals in the modern era?
- To what extent does the reciprocal relationship between technology and human culture foster or challenge inclusivity and diversity in global societies?