The world is becoming a global village. In the 21st century, society requires an agent to transform and change the social sphere that it functions within. There has been inconclusive debates as to whether technology influences society or whether society influences technology. In this essay, the premises of technology and society will be underpinned. Firstly, the theoretical framework will be critically reviewed, secondly, relevant critiques leveled against technological determinism and will be discussed, cultural materialism and the critical theory of technology will be discussed. Lastly, the ambivalent connection between technology and society will be discussed. The advancement of technology in society correlates with global change.
Technology determinism refers to the notion that technology serves as an agent to promote social change and transform the natural environment (Murpie & Potts, 2003). Cultural materialism refers to the relationship between technology and culture (Murphie and Potts, 2003). Technological determinism is a reductionist theory and it primary focuses on the advancement of social structure and cultural values (Veblen, 1857–1929). Technological determinism serves to display technological advancement as as agent in social transformation and history.
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He argues that the advancement of technology exists as the result of social policies. The social direction gets decentralized eventually to reach local communities (Heilbronner, 1967). The argument of Heilbronner can be evident when technology is developed independently from human agency, cultural aspects and the politicalization of innovations. However, human agency, cultural aspects and the politicalization of innovations can still be effected and how it is utilized in society. Technology can be developed easily but cannot change how it