7.4

CptS 401

Adam Carter

Quiz QuestionThe term “Luddite” refers to

A. people who are generally in favor of technological progress.

B. people who generally oppose technological progress.

C. people who try to equally weigh all arguments before drawing conclusions regarding the benefits of technology.

D. None of the above

2

Answer

B.

See p. 377, middle of page.

3

Quiz Question

As noted in the text, in response to the observation that computers improve access to information, Neil Postman has argued that

A. inadequate information is not the cause of most social problems.

B. improved access to information is bad for society because it causes increased distraction.

C. improved access to information is bad for society because it makes it easier for the “wrong” people to get a hold of it.

D. None of the above

4

Answer

A.

See second bullet point on p. 378:

“If families break up, children are mistreated, crime terrorizes a city, education is impotent, it does not happen because of inadequate information.”

Is this a fair critique of technology, according to the textbook author?

Is this a fair critique of technology, according to you?

5

Quiz Question

According to the textbook author, the fundamental difference between the world views of supporters and opponents of technology can be characterized as

A. seeing the glass “half empty” versus “half full.”

B. seeing the glass being filled by technology vs. seeing the glass being drained by technology (it was already full)

C. wanting the glass vs. not wanting the glass in the first place.

D. None of the above

6

Answer

B.

(See top paragraph of p. 379.)

How do you see it?

A. Technology fills my glass (love it!)

B. Technology drains my glass (hate it!)

C. Technology is somewhere in between

7

Quiz Question

According to the textbook author, the argument that computers have an “insidiously corrupting” effect on their users

A. acknowledges the real negative impacts that computers can have on people.

B. assumes that life without computers would be better than life with computers.

C. assumes that people are weak and incapable of making their own choices.

D. All of the above

E. None of the above

8

Answer

C.

See first paragraph of p. 381: “[The argument] displays a low view of the judgment and autonomy of ordinary people.”

What do you think? Do computers have an “insidiously corrupting” effect on their users? Why or why not?

9

Quiz Question

According to the textbook author, the conflict between humans and nature that is commonly used to frame debates about the environment

A. is an excellent characterization of reality.

B. is often underplayed, since humans are capable of making conscious choices, whereas the environment is not.

C. is an inaccurate characterization, since conflicts about the environment are actually conflicts between people with different views about how to meet human needs.

D. None of the above

10

Answer

C.

See next-to-last paragraph of p. 381.

In your view, what is the primary standard of moral value?

A. Nature

B. Humanity

C. A divine power

D. Other/none of the above

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Quiz Question

According to Jerry Mander, technology benefits which group the most:

A. All society

B. All individuals

C. The poor

D. The wealthy

E. Corporations

Answer

Best answer – E “one more tool that large businesses can use better” (383)

Group Exercise

Examine the list of Luddite critiques of technology on p. 378.

Discuss each critique. Is it fair? Where do you stand on the “Luddite-

Technologist” spectrum? How did you arrive at your position? Discuss.

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Clicker Poll

Which of the following best characterizes your stance toward technological progress?

A. Technological progress is inevitable and shouldn’t ever be controlled.

B. I generally favor technological progress, but I think controls are okay in certain cases.

C. I think we need to carefully consider the implications of technological progress; controls are okay in many cases.

D. I am generally against technological progress; controls are okay almost all of the time.

E. I don’t care/other

15

Clicker Poll

Revisiting a previous question, would you rather

A. Live during a time with zero technology (caveman style)

B. Live in present times

C. Live in the far future (Star Trek style)

Word Choice Matters!

1. The purpose of technology is to eliminate jobs and reduce the cost of production

2. The purpose of technology is to reduce the effort needed to produce goods and services