Technology and Society

     Neil Postman's prophetic work critiques society in which our conversation has changed from print to image. In chapter one Postman refers to the invention of  clock.A new tool contains a new idea that goes beyond the tool itself The clock is another tool that contained a powerful idea. Before, time was a product of nature measured by the sun and seasons. Now, time is measured by a machine using minutes and seconds. The clock changed us into time-watchers, then time-savers, and finally time-servers. Thus, changing the metaphor for time changed how we view time itself. The concept of  clock relates to his other example of cloning humans at his lecture. Supposedly in 21st century, cloning humans will be the norm . The purpose of this development in human reproduction is that clones would be used as "human spare parts".So man will be able to improve his body. Until needed the clones would be stored. The problem with this idea is that humans will be in storage. And thus, a prevailing view will be that clones will be considered subhuman. So again the idea goes beyond the tool. These scientific developments will changed how we view one another just as clock as changed how we view time. Both of these advancements have meddled with nature and can only result in humans grading what has value and worth. 
  
     Neil Postman begins his Amusing Ourselves to Death with a comparison of the visions presented by George Orwell his work 1984, and the “equally chilling” vision argued by Aldous Huxley in Brave New World. Orwell warns that we will be overcome by an externally imposed oppression. But in Huxley’s vision, no Big Brother is required to deprive people of their autonomy, maturity and history. As he saw it, people will come to love their oppression, to adore the technologies that undo their capacities to think.”  This parallels with his discussion of Professor Negroponte’s statement:  “in the next millennium we will find that we are talking as much or more with machines then we are with humans.”  Negroponte reasons that people are self-conscious about talking to machines. He envisions a time when we will speak to a toaster or doorknobs with no trouble. He says we must adapt to these technological advances. But what he does not realize is that it is primal human nature to adapt to uncomfortable conditions.  In which Postman gives examples such as a soldier adapts to killing, a child adapts to being fatherless and so forth.  It will be no outward source for us to be oppressed by technology; it will come from within ourselves. We will come to love our oppression. In which Postman concludes we have the ability to adapt to talking much more to machines than people. The alarming reality is that we will come to prefer it.