Technological Determinism
The Impact of New Technologies on the Production of Television News
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Steven C. Koehn
This is an investigation of the impact of robotics, A.I. writing programs and new wireless technologies on the production of television news. In less than twenty years, the television news studio has gone from an average of over twenty crew members necessary to produce the newscast to an average of three or less as new technologies replaced newsroom personnel. Now, while research has been conducted on the loss of certain television positions and their impact upon the job field due to technological changes, the impact upon the quality of the news programming has not been investigated. In this study, on-going qualitative data is being collected from four television stations’ news programs as new technologies are being implemented in the news production process. Presently, the data consists of interviews with individuals at news stations who have experienced the technological changes shift in the production of the news and a content analysis of the trade articles that relate to the new production processes and observed effects. The ability to present quality news reports for the public to make critical decisions is paramount for a democratic existence. However, research has shown that technological determinism shapes the development of cultural values quite frequently in un-foreseen ways. Are we facing a situation where these new technologies subvert the production of news or not? Thus, the preliminary findings of the study will be presented in regards to the impact of new technologies in television news production and the implications of the changes.
A Sustainable Living Lab for Smart Grid Knowledge Transfer into Society: Mobility2Grid
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Julian Alexandrakis, Henrike Weber, Birgit Böhm, Karoline Karohs
Results of regular representative surveys on environmental awareness in Germany show, that one of the most important environmental tasks for the respondents is to reduce CO2 emissions and switch to renewable energies. They consider themselves as well-informed about environmental knowledge, but only a few change their consumption habits. Thus, transferring knowledge from complex transformation processes such as mobility and energy systems, seek for innovative mechanisms. The Sustainable Living Lab Mobility2Grid develops sustainability innovations by using electric vehicles’ batteries as storages for renewable energies in a decentralized urban micro smart grid. Transferring its results into society is a key task of M2G. Hence, this paper focuses on the question: What knowledge about mobility and energy transition can and must be imparted trough target group-oriented training programs? The case study is, from a methodical perspective, approached as an action research case, and hence aims at discovery, interpretation, reflection and insights. Primary data was gathered from a qualitative survey with participants after each training session (module). In total nine trainings with employees of different institutions and industries such as energy, mobility, city cleaning, transport federation, science and education were carried out. The study shows that a technical understanding, fundamental connections about the topic of electro mobility and micro smart grids, an improved understanding of the electro mobility`s historical development and last but not least, an outlook and future ideas of electro mobility were key categories of learning outcomes.
A Philosophical Perspective on the Wise Use of Technology
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session L. Scott Cole
Technology impacts the quality our everyday lives for better and for worse. But can we make generalizations about how a “wise” person should think about, and engage with technology? This is the question I will address in this talk, in part by highlighting the work of contemporary American philosopher of technology Albert Borgmann. In the first part of the talk, I discuss the concept of wisdom, which has been the subject of philosophical inquiry since Plato. I will review the relation between wisdom and humility, rationality, factual knowledge and practical knowledge. I will argue that practical knowledge—that is, knowledge about how to live a good life—is necessary component of wisdom. In the second part of the talk I introduce Borgmann’s perspective on the relation between the use of technology and living a good life. Borgmann’s work is both descriptive and prescriptive. He asserts that modern technology exhibits a consistent pattern: it tends to reduce humans’ engagement with reality and participation in social life, and that this negatively impacts quality of life. Borgmann’s prescription is to make a conscious effort to engage with aspects of reality that he terms “focal.” Focal things and practices are good in and of themselves; they reorient our lives and provide sense and meaning. I conclude by briefly reviewing some critiques of Borgmann’s view.
