The Risks of Believing in Technological Determinism
The Risks of Believing in Technological Determinism
An abandoned Australian ‘experiment’ shows that the public can successfully object to what companies and politicians claim is inevitable progress.
Understanding Technological Determinism
Scratch a digital capitalist and you’ll find a technological determinist – someone who believes that technology drives history. These individuals see themselves as agents of what Joseph Schumpeter famously described as creative destruction.
- They emphasize the narrative of inevitability regarding technological advancement.
- As Mark Zuckerberg once implied, moving fast and breaking things may not always consider the consequences for the public.
Questioning the Narrative
- Technological determinism is an ideology that influences thought subconsciously.
- It propagates the idea that new technologies will arrive regardless of public opinion or desire.
As writer LM Sacasas points out, all assertions of inevitability have agendas, providing convenient cover for tech companies to secure their desired ends, minimize resistance, and influence consumer choices.
In conclusion, it is crucial to remain skeptical of technological narratives that suggest the future is predetermined and to actively resist the implications of such ideologies.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.