Social Construction of Technology
ASSIGNMENT OF IST 530
SCOT & SST
Yu Fu Oct 18, 2013
Social construction of Technology[1], often abbreviated as SCOT, advocates that the social environment influences the development of a technology, which is opposed to what technological determinism. To grasp the core spirit of SCOT, we need to understand the following basic elements of SCOT.
SCOT emphasize on the impact of Relevant Social Groups, which are not confined to the group that develops the technology, but also other groups that have direct or indirect relation with the group. For example, the developers of smart cellphones not only need to consider the use of customers, but also follow the rules made by government and organizations. In many cases, the media (journalists) and civil groups may also in some way determine the involvement of a technology. The other core element of SCOT is
Interpretative Flexibility, meaning that the same technological artifact conveys different meanings towards different groups of people. We take smartphones as a example again, some wish that they can listen music on the go using their phones, some hope that they are able to capture any moment in their life with cellphones, and the others wish that they can browse the Internet and get updates whenever, wherever. These different interpretations in all lead to the development of modern smartphones, which is basically is one “master gadget”. We also need to realize that in many occasions conflicts arises due to these different interpretations, when the developer of the technological artifact has to compromise. The final element of SCOT is Closure, which means that any certain technological artifact would eventually come to a closure. One reason for closure is that all the problems and conflicts are solved and there is no longer need for development. The other reason is perhaps even though this design is not perfect, it solves a much more severe problem hence it’s worthy to keep. Closure is not
permanent
SCOT & SST
Yu Fu Oct 18, 2013
Social construction of Technology[1], often abbreviated as SCOT, advocates that the social environment influences the development of a technology, which is opposed to what technological determinism. To grasp the core spirit of SCOT, we need to understand the following basic elements of SCOT.
SCOT emphasize on the impact of Relevant Social Groups, which are not confined to the group that develops the technology, but also other groups that have direct or indirect relation with the group. For example, the developers of smart cellphones not only need to consider the use of customers, but also follow the rules made by government and organizations. In many cases, the media (journalists) and civil groups may also in some way determine the involvement of a technology. The other core element of SCOT is
Interpretative Flexibility, meaning that the same technological artifact conveys different meanings towards different groups of people. We take smartphones as a example again, some wish that they can listen music on the go using their phones, some hope that they are able to capture any moment in their life with cellphones, and the others wish that they can browse the Internet and get updates whenever, wherever. These different interpretations in all lead to the development of modern smartphones, which is basically is one “master gadget”. We also need to realize that in many occasions conflicts arises due to these different interpretations, when the developer of the technological artifact has to compromise. The final element of SCOT is Closure, which means that any certain technological artifact would eventually come to a closure. One reason for closure is that all the problems and conflicts are solved and there is no longer need for development. The other reason is perhaps even though this design is not perfect, it solves a much more severe problem hence it’s worthy to keep. Closure is not
permanent