A Response to "Does Improved Technology Mean Progress?"

Although there has been a long time fundamental belief that technology demonstrates the progress of a society or culture; that is not always necessarily true. There is a give and take that comes with the advancement of technology. As technology advanced with mass manufacturing, it began to take precedence over the quality of life in America. Although other societies were optimistic about Western technology, it was often times a mislead and one sided perception. As technology grew, social and political beliefs became secondary in society. Over time, how would this role reversal affect and change the culture of this society? It eventually became evident that scientific and technological progress became the main goal and focus over society and culture in America. Thomas Jefferson often saw how the happiness of people would be affected by the technological advancement, and wanted to leave the industries and factories in Europe to maintain quality of life over cost and economics. Others, however, saw the machine and technological progression as beneficial and very satisfactory as a progression of the time. This meaning that technological innovation is a sufficient cause of an accumulation of progress.  These two opposing views became controversial as mass manufacturing, due to technological advancement, became a growing industry in society. In one form, those in power, and who possessed authority in economics, social, political and intellectual ways, expected the profits that were generated to be brought back to them. That way, their power and property would be maintained. This shift to mass production was a rapid rate of change for technological innovation, as well as it's effects on social progress. These times became marked as the "Age of Machinery" due to the domination by physical machines, as well as the mechanical thinking of the era. Many people also thought of this age, or shift, to be harmless, yet how harmless was it truly? Although mass production made previous luxuries to be available to the general population, machines replaced workers, and the profits went to the 'guys upstairs.' In addition, there became "worshipful attitude of Americans" towards technology, such as the railroad. In a country that is founded on religious values and freedom, it is interesting that man-made objects became so admired. As time progressed through the technological age, there was a shift in the belief of the meaning of technological improvement. From the view of freedom from political domination, to the belief that innovations in technology are a sufficient base for progress. This shift in the attitudes reflected the American attitude of quantity over quality. This compromised the quality of life for workers, for the availability of goods to the general population through mass production. This may be viewed as progression to some, as technology itself advanced, or, as regression to others, due to changing societal values.

This post is a response to “Does Improved Technology Mean Progress?” by Leo Marx.