Mardi Gras: laissez les bons temps rouler!!!
Plan for the Day
- We have some catching up to do…
- Back to Noble’s Religion of Technology
- Thursday’s (2/15) Readings
- Is love a technology?
- Valentine’s Day is a holiday, but are holidays technologies?
- David Noble’s The Religion of Technology (pp. 172-228)
- Technology and Yourself Essays
David Noble’s The Religion of Technology (pp. 172-228)
Let’s discuss Noble’s take on the Religion of Technology in more Modern times. We’ll ask questions about his conclusion and spend time on the Appendix before ending class.
In the previous two classes, we started with the following question: How are we “actively involved in the daily creation and recreation, production and reproduction of the world in which [we] live” (Winner, p. 15). While that’s still important for the rest of Noble’s book, I want you to think about the specific historical (and contemporary…Francis Collins) figures in science and technology. Not forgetting the important term hegemony, reflect during our discussion on who these people are. Where do you find them in society? From what walks of life do they emerge? Are there generalizations we can make about them?
Let’s go to a webpage devoted to Noble’s book.
Technology and Yourself Essays
I got a little behind this weekend, but I hope to have feedback for you by the end of this week. If not, I’ll adjust the due date for the revision. I have some general observation on the drafts below, so please review that, but do know that not everything applies to all drafts.
Observations for Technology and Yourself Essay
Remember, there’s no such thing as finished writing—just deadlines. These essays are starting points for reflecting on technology. Your revisions need to show serious reflection by incorporating the suggestions I’ve made and/or changing your topic. Many of you tried to bite off more than you could chew. A general revision guideline would be to set boundaries for your essay. Make sure you offer personal insight or examples along with other proof for the assertions you make.
The goal of reflection on writing isn’t just to get a better grade or write a better essay. Reflection is being aware of how your writing conveys meaning for the reader. When revising, keep going back to audience and purpose.
General feedback on the essays for revision:
- Always avoid absolute statements: Of course, I’ve just stated a paradox, but it’s extremely difficult to defend statements that use the following:
- always, never, forever, all the time, indefinitely, etc.
- Be more precise and explain the limits of what you’re defining.
- “This changed our lives/our world/the universe forever”…not the best assertion. It’s bombastic prose and fine for sound-bite media, but it’s not appropriate for an essay that DEMANDS you offer proof to back up such bold statements.
- Technology isn’t just electronic. Humans have used technology for millennia and not just since 2000. Focus on a particular technology, and make sure you define technology for your reader (me). I don’t just see technology as computer-based products of the last 20-30 years.
- Aim for Reader-Based Prose and not Writer-Based Prose. Reader-based prose keeps the reader in mind and doesn’t make them make the same leaps to conclusions that you make. Remember, the reader isn’t in your head, so you can’t expect them to just agree with your assertions. This essay needs proof for all assertions you make. What may seem obvious to you (e.g., we’re too reliant on technology) isn’t universally accepted. You have to explain the foundations of your assumptions and show how you get to the conclusions you make.
- It’s ok not to know everything and to point that out in your essays. Your assumptions are based on your experiences, and this essay is a place to analyze those assumptions. One thing many of you will read on your papers is that you aren’t explaining your assumptions (or showing how you get to conclusions) fully. If you don’t have empirical evidence (which you won’t) for your beliefs, that’s ok. Discuss why you have the belief. For instance, there’s a belief that reliance on technology leads to lack of creativity, dependence, mental atrophy, etc. As far as I know, there haven’t been any studies on that link, but I hear this “out there.” Instead of just restating an assumption you’ve heard somewhere, state it’s a belief, and then discuss why you think it’s valid.
- For example:
Kids just don’t have social skills because of video games.
- For example:
- There’s no real evidence to corroborate that (just like there’s no sound evidence that video games lead to violence…read “The Specious Link Surrounding Video Games and Violence” in Video Games and American Culture). Just because there isn’t evidence doesn’t mean you have to drop the assumption completely. Explain where your understanding of the topic comes from. Maybe you’ve observed kids who don’t interact socially and know they play a lot of video games. Well, that’s evidence. I wouldn’t base a dissertation on it, but it’s enough for this essay. Maybe it’s more of a fear of yours, so you make a logical argument:
- Video games cause kids to play by themselves. Kids playing by themselves will have fewer opportunities to interact with others. Therefore, video games contribute to kids missing social activities.*
{*Of course, what about online games…} - Also, you could link this to obesity issues because kids aren’t as physically active when playing video games. Whatever you do, explain how you reach a conclusion. Just remember that you will have to unpack your assumptions in order to explain to your reader how you got to that conclusion—what did you base your reasons on?
- Video games cause kids to play by themselves. Kids playing by themselves will have fewer opportunities to interact with others. Therefore, video games contribute to kids missing social activities.*
Finally, don’t be overwhelmed by the comments on your essays. These are guides or questions for you to consider to help your revision. All writing can be stronger, and we all get feedback from others. Let’s just hope it’s more constructive feedback…
Preview for Next Class
Unless we didn’t get through all of Noble, you’ll have four short readings for class on Wednesday. They are all on Thursday’s (2/15) webpage, so go check them out. At a minimum, we’ll definitely have the article “Marriage: It’s Only going to Get Worse”…Happy Valentine’s Day!