Blog 2: Social construction of technology

There is evidence in the article about Katherine Pommerening that she possesses feelings of anxiety due to the social construction she has appropriated onto her technology, in particular her phone. She gets anxiety about the posts she makes on Instagram. She suggests if she does not reach the amount of likes she desires, she will delete the post altogether. In addition, she appropriates the use of her phone to make meaning in regards to the comments she gets on her pictures, and what that implies for her reputation. One could argue that she gets a euphoric feeling when someone is to comment that they think she is ‘nice and pretty’ so that others can see and think that she is nice and pretty as that one commenter had suggested.

I chose the theoretical framework of technology being a social construction because I think that the amount the public uses technology, and the more daily activities that become circulated around new digital media is a result of further creating meaning and purpose for the devices that we have. Meaning and purpose is often projection onto people through advertisement and corporate messaging, but is ultimately down to us adopting that message and technology as purposeful to our lives.  However, I do not view making meaning for technology always a negative thing. For example, if someone’s goal is to make their life simpler and to lower smaller day-to-day stresses one might choose to download apps in alignment with their goals. Therefore, someone may opt for downloading a dinner reservation app, which adds meaning in the context of their lives. One may enjoy having the freedom to choose a location, time, and make any notes in the designated section to list their food allergies. Ultimately, I see a similar perspective with Katherine. She does suggest that she has to “get better at her phone”, and while this may seem useless to some, many people make a living off creating content and presenting themselves and their content in an interesting way that interacts with followers as if they are friends. Thus, it is the way people use technology where they deem their actions appropriate or not.

Comments

  1. Sierra NardellaOctober 6, 2018 at 9:47 PM

    Hi!

    Great post! Being that my post focused on technological determinism, it was really interesting to learn about your perspective on the social construction of technology. After reading your post, I definitely see both sides of the debate because although technology shapes the lives of individuals in society, that technology would not be existent if individuals did not create personal meaning and purpose for these devices in our lives. By using technology in the ways that we want to, we are constructing technology and allowing it to strive in our society. I definitely also agree that we as individuals choose to use technology in a positive or negative way. Not all technology is used negatively and I believe that if Katherine used her smartphone less or used it in different ways, technology could be a positive factor in her life.

    I found an interesting article that explores both the positives and negatives of technology use in teenagers lives. This article could support Katherine's obsession with social media because it is said that some teenagers feel more confident, less lonely, and less depressed when they are using social media. However, the downsides of social media and technology similar to Katherine's are outlined as well. The article explains that a large percentage of teenagers admit that they never put their phones away regardless of if they're with family, with friends, doing homework, or even at the dinner table having a meal.

    Here is the article:
    http://time.com/5390435/teen-social-media-usage/

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    Replies
    1. UnknownDecember 6, 2018 at 12:39 PM

      Hi Sierra,

      I find your reasoning on why you selected technological determinism as your theoretical approach compelling. I think technology can have a determinant influence because I think we experience it ourselves. I’m sure if such sophisticated technology was around when we were 13, that the new technology would have meant that we overall would have new social relationships. For example, I learned how to read from a book whereby my mom had guide me through multiple chapters, and steps to help me learn. However, my younger cousin’s experience with learning how to read entails a series of modules and steps found on an online programs that give feedback as if it were a parent. Meaning, that now a parent doesn't always have to be present with children are learning new skills.

      Also, to your point about how technology has shaped the way we’ve developed new habits is extremely relevant because it is all generations of people that are adapting their lifestyle according to what new technologies are determining for them. Ultimately, that not only describes the new social relationships we have with others, but the new social relationships we have with ourselves and how we deal with these new anxieties and addictions from the technologies we use.

      Delete
  2. Claire DawsonOctober 7, 2018 at 6:48 AM

    Hi Sophia! I really enjoyed reading your post because like Sierra I chose to focus on technological determinism in my post. I loved your position of the social construction of technology and how it can be both a positive and a negative phenomenon. I think that sometimes when we discuss technology and how it has permeated into our society we tend to focus on the negative side of the coin so I appreciate you highlighting how it really can reduce stress and make our lives easier in some circumstances.

    I also found it very interesting how you touched on people making a living off of their instagram account. Of course I know that it is happening but I never thought about it using such a framework. Though you chose to view it through the lens of social constructivist theory, we can also see it through the lens of technological determinism; technology is now creating new and different jobs for people. In this way is it shaping the world around us which is the underlying concept behind the theory.

    Great post!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownOctober 7, 2018 at 2:55 PM

    Hi Sophia,

    It was interesting to read that you begin discussing meaning and purpose from an advertisement point of view, saying that we are first told that these technologies are meaningful and instrumental to the function of our day to day lives. When analyzing these aspects in my own life, I can see now that I was never the only one to say these technologies are imperative to my day to function, it was first fed to me through advertisement.

    I also took note of your comment regarding making a living off "being better at your phone" which I interpreted as being comfortable enough with these technologies that you see an enhanced value in these technologies, enough so that you can creating a living for yourself with these technologies being the main tools of your trade.

    Excellent post!

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownOctober 8, 2018 at 1:42 PM

    Hey Sophia,

    I really enjoyed reading your post and I think that you took an interesting approach to this subject. I really liked how you talked about the positive aspect of the new digital media that we have at our disposal, as well as the point you made about downloading apps that can help us to reach our goals. I feel like this isn't something a lot of people would think about when reading something about a kid like Katherine who is constantly on their phone, especially when seeing that she delete's posts because they weren't good enough. I thought it was interesting that you took her needing to get better at her phone as a positive.

    Overall, I thought that this was a good post and I enjoyed reading your work

    ReplyDelete

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