Transcript General
SOSC 111 - Science Technology
and Society
Today: Lesson 22
Technology at Work
November 20, 1998
Dr. Vincent Duffy - IEEM
http://wwwieem.ust.hk/dfaculty/duffy/111
email: [email protected]
1
2
Q1. What are NC Tools? How do they change the workplace?
1
Numerically controlled machines
shape metals using tape, and repeatable
programmed motions
automatic program language
expensive, however represents extension of
management control in the workplace
contributes to centralization of authority
deskilling -worker skill designed into the
machine
3
How do they affect the workplace?
managerial authority embodied in the
technology
unskilled workers become alienated from
the products they make
many
workers may have
little
knowledge of the production process
little pride in their work
developed in pursuit of extreme efficiency
can contribute to problems between labor
and management
4
Illustration
Metropolis, 1927
Fritz Lang
most expensive film in Europe at the time
Q.2. What does Fritz Lang illustrate in this
movie? What is he showing? How does
this related to your life in HK/China/UST?
distinguishes between those who work with
their brains, living above everyone else
controlling the city of Metropolis and those
who work with their hands
6
The Future....
In your predictions/hopes
technology
coming : toward a push button society
You also noted w/coming of cloning
What
will the ordinary people do
Will we have 7.8M guards and janitors with
200k Bill Gates, Einsteins making programs that
allow us to push buttons?
What will be our purpose?
What will be our role?
…in the future
Illustrating your future role in the face
of increasing technology:
How do we make improvements?
economic,
social, technological, personal
Our in class exercise for Monday
Inspired
by incident in another class
paper airplane
You will act as a team of consultants
Improving a paper helicopter
Problems:
poor
flying time
only experts can make it work
Next time - Monday
Bring your group members
Please bring a watch to count/measure time
Please be ready to work in groups at the
beginning of class
Please arrive on time so as not to miss the intro.
for the in class exercise