As my colleague Kees Winkel already pointed out we’ve recently started a fascinating course on new media theory at the University of Utrecht. While many interesting concepts, ideas and discussions have past in the first few weeks there is one specific topic that triggered me: technological determinism versus social constructionism. While it is a really academic discussion that stretches far beyond the domain of just these new media studies it somehow got me to think of my grandma’s washing machine?

For those unfamiliar with the discussion on determinism versus constructionism I will start with a very brief introduction. If not you can skip this part and go straight to the section concerning the washing machine (and if you’re wondering: no its not my grandma on the picture).

In a technological determinist’s universe new technologies are exciting, as they unexpectedly rise and brutally shake up our lives. There is an intuitive appeal to this idea of technology as a driving force in human history. We can easily find examples of new and promising technologies on almost any possible scale; some hold the answer to the complex global problems we are facing while others only address the discomforts of every day’s life. While this approach of technology does off course affect a wide range of fields of research it seems predominant in the area of new media: Is twitter changing the way politicians interact with the audience? Does Facebook change our social live? And will the promise of a smart refrigerator finally release us from the horrible daily task of buying groceries?

While these questions may seem valid and interesting at the least, they are trivial issues for those approaching technology from the social constructionists point of view. They would argue that all these innovations are a result of a complex mixture of existing social structures and institutions. And yes, at first glance this approach may seem dull. But is twitter really giving you a personal relationship with politicians? Would you like your fridge to decide on what’s for dinner tonight?

I do realize that this summary of extremes lacks any detailed nuances but in an environment of people that fully embrace technology and love every new gadget on the market it is not that far off. I must admit that a few years ago I was similar excited on the promises of the Internet; I firmly believed it would bring new transparent democracies, increase knowledge, add valuable relationships. And off course I wanted that kick ass digital Fridge.

While I might have been one of the digital zealots, my grandmother certainly was not. All my family’s efforts to get our granny connected, to make her participate on the World Wide Web somehow seemed to fail. We tried Apple OS, Windows, all possible browsers, installed Skype, card-playing games, email clients, and the list goes on and on. Why did she fail to see the importance of being digital? Why does my grandmother still refuse to be on twitter?

In one of the conversations we had we somehow got on the subject of the introduction of the washing machine. My grandma explained how much time it used to take to do the laundry and how this now common piece of technology drastically changed her daily life. She also pointed out that she could not possibly imagine the Internet being of similar significance to her as the introduction of the washing machine had been. I used all the arguments I could come up with but somehow none of them could compete with the overpowering point of saving three days of dull labor every week. Why did I fail to prove that the Internet in all its splendid forms and applications was a better technology than these silly analogue washing machines?

So how does the washing machine fit in? Am I making an argument for the technological determinism case here? Thinking of these distinct approaches of technology I just realized that we were comparing the impact of two very different technologies, introduced in two very different social environments. It made me realize that at the least for my grandma the washing machine solved a very clear and visible existing problem, but also somehow made me get a grasp on this quite abstract discussion. It was the excitement and flow of taking part in the introduction of a new technology that prevented me from looking beyond that flow. I should thank my grandma’s washing machine for helping me wash away that blur and get a cleaner view.

tagged with: technology, digital fridges, determinism, innovation

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rac on 7 April 2012 at 04:12

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  a man may usually be known by the books he reads as well as by the company he keeps; for there is a companionship of books as well as of men; and one should always live in the best company, clubwear dresses whether it be of books or of men.

  a good book may be among the best of friends. it is the same today that it always was, and it will never change. it is the most patient and cheerful of companions. it does not cocktail dress turn its back upon us in times of adversity or distress. it always receives us with the same kindness, amusing and instructing us in youth, and comforting and consoling us in age.

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  a good book is often the best urn of a life kitchen appliances enshrining the best that life could think out; for the world of a man’s life is, for the most part, but the world of his thoughts. thus the best books are treasuries of good words, the golden thoughts, which, remembered and cherished, become our constant companions and comforters.

  books possess an essence of immortality. kitchen supplies they are by far the most lasting products of human effort. temples and statues decay, but books survive. time is of no account with great thoughts, which are as fresh today as when they first passed through their author’s minds, ages ago. what was then said and thought still speaks to us as vividly as ever from the printed page. the only effect of time has been to sift out the bad products; for nothing in literature can long survive but what is really good.

  books introduce men fashion us into the best society, they bring us into the presence of the greatest minds that have ever lived. we hear what they said and did; we see them as if they were really alive; we sympathize with them, enjoy with them, grieve with them; their experience becomes ours, and we feel as if we were in a measure actors with them in the scenes which they describe.

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