Re: Technology Advancements (was: Generation gap)

From: Anders Sandberg (asa@nada.kth.se)
Date: Tue Sep 30 1997 - 05:04:50 MDT


Felix Ungman <felix@aleph.se> writes:

> Anders Sandberg:
> >But there can also be cultural quantum jumps that doesn't involve new
> >physical technology, such as the introduction of mind-maps, modern
> >book indexing (which increases usability immensely) or the introduction
> >of new notations in science.
>
> I would call mind-mapping a technology, not a sub-culture. But then,
> the border between technology and culture is fuzzy. Is transhumanism
> a culture or a technology? Or is it just information?

I would say technology is the stuff we use to acieve various ends,
usually our perceived wants. Culture is larger, it includes all the
stuff we do and think, even if it has no real "use". The line can
be quite fuzzy.

What I'm trying to suggest is that a medium can contain cultural
artifacts, which in turn can contain other systems. For example
the technology television supports the cultural world of television
programs, of which some might act as specialized media for more
specialized cultural activities (like newsprograms, which are
the medium for television news reporting).

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Anders Sandberg                                      Towards Ascension!
asa@nada.kth.se                            http://www.nada.kth.se/~asa/
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