Response#11

Beginning Passage – First Paragraph on page 43

‘The nineteenth century also saw the emergence of utopian communities, of which perhaps the most famous is Robert Owen’s experimental community in Scotland called New Lanark. There, he established a model factory community, providing reduced working hours, improved living conditions, and innovative education for the children of workers”

Literally – In this paragraph it explains in the 19th century , experiments were conducted by Robert Owen to see if communities could thrive with a different working environment. It would consist of working less hours, better living conditions and education for the employee’s children. Unfortunately the experiments Owen conducted would not amount to anything. His goal was “to reduce the human costs of a technocracy.”

Intellectually – I think this shows that people are always trying to improve situations that tend to get taken advantage of such as the workplace. I think Owen  knew supplying a good work environment and good wages meant people would work harder because they know they are being appreciated. Along the way it seems like those in charge take advantage by doing any means necessary to to make sure they earn as much profit but at the expense of the worker. This passage shows for years the workforce has always had some sort of conflict and it continues to this day.

Emotionally – I feel like Robert Owen’s experiment should be updated and performed again since how we think and act has changed. There is some much to be gained if his experiment were to be applied.

Relational – This passage reminded me of Mason’s “The End of Capitalism has Begun.” This shows that Mason shared a similar view with an idea that is almost 200 years old.In a society where there is still a struggle with how to treat people in the the workforce this also makes you think that maybe it could work, but first we have to change our way of thinking and simply try it.

Middle Passage -First Paragraph on page 46

“The technocracy that emerged, fully armed, in nineteenth century America disdained such beliefs, because holy men and sin, grandmothers and families, regional loyalties and two thousand-year-old traditions, are antagonistic to the technocratic way of life “

Literally – This paragraph explains in a technocratic society ideology, and cultural elements do not belong. those elements are seen as a threat to technocracy because it represents a tool-using society. where as technocracy relies on the advancements of technology , industrial resources, and financial gain. though it goes against a technocracy society, it has been able to continue in America.

Intellectually – I think this shows how ideas of society are formed. New ways of doings, and new technology are based on doing things that go against the norm creating new societies. This is probably how Postman formed this classification of a tool-using, technocracies, and technopolies societies.

Emotionally – I fee like in any society where its a tool-using society technocractic or techonopoly that there  should be a balance between the religious beliefs people believe in, the technology that is used and cultural life that traditions originate from. In each new society new problems are formed.

Relational – This passage relates to Postman’s “From Tools to Technocracy” because it summarizes how comes up with each his classification of societies. Both Technocracies and Technopolies lack the idea of theology where people used to rely on to tell them how to think and act instead in a technocracy and technopoly its the technology that determines how we think and act.

End Passage -First Paragraph on page 52

“In the work of Frederick Taylor we have, I believe the first clear statement of the idea that society is best served when humans beings are placed at the disposal of their techniques and technology, that human beings are in a sense, worth less than their machinery”

Literally – As a result of  technological advancements in a society it effects how people are treated as well as their lives. Because of the efficiency of machines, the people are no longer looked at as a human being but also viewed to act like machines, but since people are incapable of do so, they are viewed as useless compared to machines.

Intellectually – I think about in today’s world more machines are replacing people in the workforce. If someone could build a computer or create software that can do the same job then its another job loss. I feel like there should be balance of machines and people especially when people do want to work.

Emotionally –  I feel its obviously wrong to think that people are worth less to machines. Large industries are too concern with productivity and as a result you have that way of thinking. At the same time you can say people may have allowed how they are treated since the reliance of machines constantly grows.

Relational – I made a connection to Graeber’s “On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs.” Everyday people are working at jobs that don’t really care about their well being, and those who continue to work know they need the job regardless if they like it or not. Everyday you hear people working at a job for years and then sudden the company lays off so many people. They are simply cast off to the side as if all those years working didn’t mean anything.

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3 Responses to Response#11

  1. Abigale says:

    For the end passage I really enjoyed the intellectually portion of your response. I believe I said the same thing in mine. It’s really saddening to think that soon enough there will be no jobs for people and everything will be replaced by machinery. It’s all about money in the end. I’m also very concerned about people in the future. How will they support themselves and their families if there are no jobs to be done and no incomes to be made?

  2. I really like the explanation you gave on the first quote, I agree with you on the emotional part because it would be interesting to see Owen’s experiment be put to use in the type of society we live in today, it’s be interesting to what thrives and what does not. I also really liked the quote you chose for the end passage. The intellectual portion is very well thought out and explained. Great Post!

  3. I like how you explained your feelings emotionally, especially in the last quote. Its disturbing to see that machines that were created by humans to better the quality of life, are now worth more than the human themselves. Business is becoming more and more impersonal, unfeeling and cold. Corporations, industries and businesses as whole need to learn to care more about people than productivity. Great Response!

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