Neil Postmans “Technopoly” is an insightful work
that focuses on the concept that society, specifically culture, is being
damaged because the "the primary, if not the only, goal of human labor and
thought is efficiency, that technical calculation is in all respects superior
to human judgment ... and that the affairs of citizens are best guided and
conducted by experts." (Postman, 2011) Postman arrives at
this conclusion through an analysis of technology and its impacts.
Postman founds his ideas on several major
assumptions which are stated in the first chapter of his novel. These
assumptions prove to be a guiding force through which Postman identifies the
negative impacts of technology on individuals, society, and culture. These assumptions, while having merit, are
problematic due to their highly subjective focus. While Postman acknowledges
that technology provides benefits as well as problems, he assumes several
concepts that are at contrary to the historical references that he provides as
evidence.
Postman relates his assumptions concerning
technology in a narrative form based on the ancient story of Thamus concerning
the gift of writing from the Egyptian God, Theuth. Postman’s first assumption
concerning technology is based on his interpretation of the reasoning behind
Thamus’ reluctance to accept the gift of writing:
…writing is not a
neutral technology whose good or harm depends on the uses made of it. He knows
that the uses made of any technology are largely determined by the structure of
the technology itself— that is, that its functions follow from its form (Postman,
2011) .
Beyond the fact that this interpretation is
highly interpretable, Postman’s view is that the structure of the technology
allows its functions to follow. Postman relates this idea stating:
…once a technology is
admitted, it plays out its hand; it does what it is designed to do. Our task is
to understand what that design is— that is to say, when we admit a new
technology to the culture, we must do so with our eyes wide open (Postman, 2011) .
What is uncomfortable in Postman’s assumption
concerning the function of technology is the fact that he has given it a
Frankenstein persona which seems to remove human involvement or diminishes the
autonomy and decision making of humans with regard to the technology. The
assumption is that once this technology is released it must play itself
through, or act out in its own way, as if there is no control over it. This
line of thinking seems to be true when one looks at technology such as the
wheel. At the time when the wheel was
invented, no one would have thought of an automobile. However, this view is
superficial and unrealistic because it is providing a persona to something
which is utterly and completely within the sphere of control of the
manipulators of the technology. The internet by function is a communication
technology. The flooding of information however negatively or positively impacting
on society is a function of human manipulation and has nothing to do with the
function of the technology. The actual structure of the internet has been in
place since the late 1950s and was being tested and utilized in the 1960s
albeit not in the condition that it is now but the infrastructure was present
and useful. The advent of electronic communications beginning in the 1980s and
flourishing in the 1990’s would provide the cultural and social impacts. The
advancements in information technology were not the natural result of the
technology growing of its own accord but rather the compilation and utilization
of prior knowledge by humans which allowed these breakthroughs to advance. The
advancements in silicon transistors did not build the home computer but rather
the use of this knowledge by people like Steve Wozniak who used this knowledge
to create the Apple computer which was arguably the most significant advance in
microcomputers (Biography, 2014) . Perhaps the better
argument for technology is that society needs more training in ethics and
awareness of potential issues with knowledge usage rather than looking at the
technology in a fearful aspect.
Postman however continues with his assumptions concerning
technology when he describes how the meaning of concepts are lost as new
definitions are created and old definitions are altered. Postman states:
…writing will change
what is meant by the words “memory” and “wisdom.”… This judgment we must take to
heart, for it is a certainty that radical technologies create new definitions
of old terms, and that this process takes place without our being fully
conscious of it. ..New things require new words. But new things also modify old
words, words that have deep-rooted meanings (Postman, 2011) .
Postman posits that the meanings of words are
based in deep-rooted understanding which has developed over time. This is really a semantic argument which has
very little proof to support it. Just because the term “political-debate” has
been altered to incorporate visual media such as television does not mean that
the word has lost meaning. This is a
weak argument because it is based on an intangible concept which cannot
possibly be known. For example, to say that the term media has been altered and
lost meaning because it is now social media is an impossible idea to show. For
one, there is no way to show the deep-rooted meaning that Postman discusses.
What is the deep-rooted meaning of media, or any word for that matter? This argument is also counter intuitive
because Postman is viewing the concept of words being invented or altered in a
purely negative fashion. The reality is that naming interactive media, “social
media” is more exact and provides better meaning than simply calling it media
due to the fact that it more accurately describes the form of media.
A final criticism of Postman’s assumptions has
to do with his reference to the formation of an undeserving elite group or the
wise people resulting from technology. Postman states:
…Thamus warns that the
pupils of Theuth will develop an undeserved reputation for wisdom. He means to
say that those who cultivate competence in the use of a new technology become
an elite group that are granted undeserved authority and prestige by those who
have no such competence (Postman, 2011, p. 149) .
This is a strong argument for this elite group’s
existence one which is undeniable. There definitely exists a digital divide
between the individuals who understand and utilize the technology and those who
do not have access to it. However, Postman’s assertion that the divide exists
as a result of new technologies is perhaps misplaced due to the fact that this
divide has always existed in one form or another. Dominant groups have always
coveted knowledge and its use (Macionis, 2011) . Slaves, throughout
history were often denied access to education (Macionis, 2011) . The right or wrong
of this situation is not in question as much as the idea that Postman presents
this argument as evidence that technology is damaging society and culture. A
counter argument to this position would be the fact that because of the
technology of the internet, there is greater access to the knowledge than there
ever was in the past. To say that the individuals who possess the knowledge are
given authority and prestige over those without this knowledge is a bizarre
argument considering the fact that this has been the norm throughout history.
Specialized knowledge (for better or worse) has always placed the possessors in
prominent positions. Doctors, lawyers,
craftsmen have historically been given varying positions of wisdom and
authority due to their specialized skills. It is interesting how Postman sees
the divide of knowledge as an unfair division but this is again not a failing
of the technology or an impact of it. Rather, the division of knowledge and
technology is more related to society and the manner in which humans conduct
themselves socially with regard to materialism.
While Neil Postman provides an interesting view
of technology these views shroud his fundamental assumptions concerning
knowledge, society, and the ethical use of technology. It is evident that from
an examination of his opening chapter that Postman holds deep rooted values in
concepts such as free knowledge. As well, Postman also seems to hold some
misguided notions pertaining to technology and its impacts on society. While
his book is compelling because of the many obvious negative impacts that one
can readily see with regard to technology and how it is used; these views are
superficial and derivative of many arguments such as blaming the gun or car
manufacturer for deaths resulting from their products.
References
Biography.
(2014). Steve Wozniak Biography. Retrieved from Biography: http://www.biography.com/people/steve-wozniak-9537334
Macionis, J. (2011). Society: The Basics, Eleventh
Edition. Prentice Hall, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
Postman, N. (2011). Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture
to Technology . (K. Edition, Ed.) Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.
