Soci 2455fa04 (Notes)

Sociology 2455 Course Notes
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Sociology 2455
Course Notes

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20
th
Sept Sociology Notes

Sociology can be defined broadly as the study of all human social experience
whether that experience is a chance encounter between two individuals, the
outcome of some highly structured social group or the result of a worldwide
social phenomenon.

In its broadest application, sociology is an interpretation of or commentary on the
social experiences that sociologists share with members of wider society

(k, Anderson 1996)

Science is an objective.
The social structure and its relationship to human actions and attitudes is
reflected clearly in A. (Giddens'work pp 2-3)

Sociology needs to take a much broader view of why we act as we do. It teaches
us that what we regard as natural, inevitable, good or true may not be such, that
the givens of our life are strongly influenced by historical and social forces.

The development of modern sociology
social changes
industrial capitalism
growth of state and other large scale social organizations
rise of popular democracies and development of bureaucracies

Early sociologists tried to make sense of these transformations and the problems
produced by these changes by developing theories..

Sociologists all agree that interaction and activities are shaped by social
experience.

Why different sociologists have different ideas even though all of them are agree
to it?
Ans: depending on what social class they grown up with and what kind of social
environment that they focus on. They might be closer to the reality or lacking with
that environment.

What do sociologists do?

Sociologists study a wide range of human activities
Sociologists all share a common objective:
to make sense of the variety human activities and social interaction
Sociologists develop either a macro level or micro level understanding or a
combination of these two.

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Macro
Refers to large scale organizations of social life
Large scale social phenomena and heir effects.

Micro
Refers to individuals and their interpretations and personal life
Face to face interaction.

(How ppl get the influences from the environment) will be macro if it focuses on
one person, then it will be micro.

Sociologists rely on a variety of theoretical and methodological perspectives.

The most important element to adopt in these approaches is critical thinking
because it helps us expose and question taken for granted assumptions about
social life and shed more light on our experience.

While there are differences among sociologists regarding theoretical perspective
and research interests, contemporary sociologists do agree that all human
interaction and activities are the result of social experience.

Many sociologists believe that human experiences are socially constructed.

"Some sociologists argue that because experience is the product of social
interaction, all interpretations of or knowledge about those experiences
are open to questions of challenges".
(K.Anderson, 1996. p.9)

1. Knowledge is socially constructed
2. Knowledge is culturally specific

Knowledge is rooted in and emerges from social relations

Critical thinking entails the development of skill that helps us in our
examination of knowledge and in the finding out of how or what gave rise to
its production. It involves a reflective attitude towards knowledgeTowards
others and ourselves.

Elements of Social Structure Include

Includes all the groups that make up societies and the relationships
among these groups.
Element; social positions
relationships among these positions
the types of resources attached to each of the positions
Defining social structure:
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Relatively permanent, stable and constantly reproduced relationships
between holders of social positions and the rules that govern those
relationships.

Defining social structure

Relatively permanent, stable and constantly reproduced relationships between
holders of social positions and the rules that govern those relationships.

The mythology of computer use

The power of advertising about computer and its discourse, which reflects the
technological mindset, becomes so perpetrated and institutionalized.

(Exaggeration/ propaganda)

What becomes naturalized and taken for granted is the belief that we can
enhance our person/power through the use of computer
Pg.24

One has the culture of the entire planet at ones fingertip Pg.24
the mythology of the machine becomes so entrenched in our society, .
..Embedded in our culture

Argument: The computer technology has the potential to both liberate and
repress us
thus in Ellvis techniques.technological devices pg.27

The nation of choice?

Chapter 1

Examples of Pakleds & advanced technology the computer thing We are
smart
.like the Pakleds, we view so-called intelligent devices as somehow conferring
smart upon those who posses and use them

To become a computer user is to become useful.

- Computer based employment Mcjobs and deskilling - H. Menzies (see
her quote on pp. 18-19)
- Computer-tech and questions of efficiency and productivity

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A tale of two screens
- TV vs. computer and the dominant perception
- TV emphasizes entertainment
- TV shows applause not reflection Postman (p. 22)

Difference
Rather than dumbing us down, it is widely seen as possessing an intelligence
of its own as conferring smarts on those who spend time before it (p. 23)
- What becomes naturalized and taken for granted is the belief that we
can enhance our personal power though the use of computers

the mythology of the machine
Becomes so entrenched in our society to such an extent that it becomes taken
for granted and viewed as a reality outside ourselves we no longer view it as a
myth or part of fairy tales because it becomes so embedded in our culture.

- Argument: the computer technology has potential to both liberate and
repress us. I say that the way we use it is more important than the
technology itself.

- Some scholars like Ellul, Mumford, rsula Franklin..examine the ideas
that values (that become part of the mythology) that lie behind the
particular attraction of digital artifacts (p. 27)

- Also another quote on p. 27 ends in device.

- The notion of choice?

The techno pantheon
The major deities
Technology
- Is it a simple tool? definitely not (complex)
- The question of neutrality. NOT NEUTRAL, THE MERE PRESENCE OF
IT IS NOT NEUTRAL. (changes things around us)
- Depoliticization of computers and computer programs computer
hardware and software as solutions?
time an again, the deity of Technology is represented in books and articles as
a social necessity, as neutral force, a thing to be worshiped for its utility and
ability to improve our lives (p. 29)

- the question that we need to ask ourselves is this: why has the computer
technology been so naturalized in every aspect of our life it is a matter of
usefulness alone or that the response it this question would require us to
delve deep into our social environment and look at the forces that have
been pushing us in the direction of adopting this technology.

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Progress

What is progress?

- Do technologies come into play? The belief that current tech as inevitable
and perfect (superior)?
- Does the question of profit making come into play here?

We may conceive of our lot as being vastly improved (through beneficence of
progress, of course), but it is also the case that many people today are
compelled to use computers and the same dehumanizing, dispiriting,
downgrading the quality of work and life and privacy ways in which industrial
era factory workers used their machines.(Rose, 2003. p. 33)

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27
th
Sept Sociology Notes

"Society consists of a group of people within a limited territory who share a
common set of behaviors, beliefs, values, material objects (together referred to
as culture) of social institutions that exist as a coherent system"Shapes human
activities and is created by human activities.

Social Interaction - The process in which we act and react to those around us

American macro approach dominant during the 1950's.

Leader, Talcott Parsons
Assumptions: society is a stable, orderly system with interrelated parts.

Each part has a role to play to maintain the entire system and meet human
needs.

Order and peace are achieved through societys institutions: family, school, law,
law enforcers.

Criticism: does not focus on conflict present in society

Overlooks factors that lead to conflict
Does not seriously address social problems or pay attention to class
gender and ethnicity
Tends to overemphasize the existence of harmony and co operation.

Symbolic Interactions

Focus: micro processes... shared meanings, symbols, interpretation.
Negotiation of social reality.
Values and norms are not automatically internalized. They get interpreted
in each and every social interaction.
Resistance to dominant culture and ways..

Labeling and its impact in creating prejudices, stereotyping and
discrimination, self fulfilling prophecy.

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Revolution:

Deity of revolution:

The dominant perception regarding the belief (that becomes like a religious one)
and the assumed revolutionary change through the use of computers is
manifested in the quote from L. Winner, is worth looking at in which he indicates
that (cited on p. 34): the almost religious conviction that a widespread adoption
of computers and communications systems along with easy access to electronic
information will automatically produce a better world for human living WHAT DO
YOU THINK?

- The author argues that thinking the elements of liberation and
empowerment to those who use computers constitute a potent mythology.
What do you think?

The Minor Deities:

- Rose sees the glorification of science and downgrading of personal
experience to be problematic. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
- Knowledge/truth are arrived at (justifying what ever..) as long as we show
that we followed scientific methodologies.

The Future

So much talk about the future (a desirable deity) that we will be better off as
long as we prepare for it by becoming experts on computer use.

Other figures of Myth Technoprophets
No focus on social context or the consequences of technological development by
the technoprophets

Technicians
Though not like deities, technicians posses an almost godlike power, since they
create digital world that users enter. And when things go wrong (with our
computers)our frantic supplications go out to a deity but to the technician down
the hall (p. 38)

Telling Tales
- Luddites (..rebellion was due to the introduction of new technology
began in 1811, see p. 39-40)
- Responsible action: acknowledging that computer use takes place within
social contexts in which are all involved and implicated (p. 42)

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Action

Refers to taking wise decision regarding the use of digital technology.
- The author locates herself (p. 42) in this realm of responsible action where
there is neither a mindless acceptance nor a smashing of the machines,
but a sustained consideration of the discourses and practices that
surround them discourses and practices which mayseriously impinge
upon our ability as users to choose to act in ways which enlarge human
rather than technological possibilities.

Political Economy

- macro approach
- critical perspective The Canadian Political Economy

Political Economy has a double meaning in Canadian social science. On one
hand, it refers to topical area of study, namely, the ways of economics and
politics have been intertwined in Canada. On the other hand, it refers to an
interdisciplinary and historical style of social analysis which draws upon
economics, political science and sociology in attempting to understand power in
modern market societies.

Politics: refers to the power relations among people in relation to gender, work,
regions, nations, the world, and so on example of womens pay issues and
inequity involved

Historical Dimensions: In other to understand how current organizations are
shaped, we must look at the role of previous forces have played.

Cultural Dimension: Refers to the way people perceive their lives. Attention is
placed on the human agency participation of people in making their own
destiny.

Materialist Approach
- Refers to organization of goods and services (made of production)
- How the society meets its basic economic needs
- How society reproduces itself
- Materialism is dynamic (production takes on different forms at different
periods)

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The political economy is a Canadian macro approach:

Focus: wide range of issues: inequality, poverty, control, gender, ethnicity, class
relations, nationalism and international origin and development: Canadian
development evolution and rival.

--Went fast through a bunch of shit about the user/hacker in chapter 2, dont get
all pissy its not my fault, just read the fucken book!

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4
th
Oct Sociology Notes

- World political economy nature + nature of capitalism

Roots of Political Economy in Canada:

Harold Innis +1930 Staples theory Canadas slow economic growth has to do
with dependence on staple products to serve the need of external interests,
mainly Britain and the USA.
(Ideally a nation should take car of itself and be self sufficient)
Late 1960s and 70s
- dependency theories, exploitation and control of the periphery by the
center
- Influence of international dependency

Theorists say:
(Center would be people with power, especially in economic sense)
- in the 70s and 80s a lot of work was done on regionalism
- focus: causes of underdevelopment in some regions

Late 80s and 90s focused on:

On race, ethnicity and gender
Writers questioned the economic determinism and class
reductionism
With respect to work on the state

Marks talked about the struggle between two classes.

Political Economy

There are two major perspectives in political economy theorizing on the state.

The instrumentalist (R. Miliband)
the structuralist (N.Poulantzas)

The instrumentalist: The state is an agent of the bourgeoisie.
(W.Clement & D.Olsen)

Bourgeoisie--ruling class--influential
Proletariat--working class

In the context of democracy, is the state independent on one single group or
dependant?

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The structuralist (relative autonomy)

The state is relatively autonomous--free from the direct control of the capitalist
class, but not free from the demands of the capitalist economy.

Feminism - Three main strands:

Liberal
seek quality between the sexes
calls for the eradication of sexist laws and policies
Push for gender neutral socialization by parents, teachers and the media
Criticism: overlooks class, "race", and ethnicity

Radical
Oppression of women is due to patriarchy--male dominance
calls for the elimination of patriarchy
Criticism: overlooks class, "race and ethnicity.

Socialist
focuses on class and gendered segregation
patriarchy in the home
Calls for the transformation of capitalism to socialism.

Criticism: overlooked race" and ethnicity in the past.

.Good Midterm question: Is such and such..a liberal feminist?, a
radical feminist?, etc.

.Good Midterm question is: Rose p. 42 talks about mindless acceptance.
Raise questions on how much it serves us and need to really look at it objectively.
Dont do away with it but study impact on society.

Rose Chapter 1

ACTION

The author locates herself in the recall of responsible action, where there is
nither a mindless acceptance nor a smashing of the machines, but a sustained
consideration of the discussion and practices which may seriously impinge
upon our ability as users to choose to act in which employs humanity.

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Rose Chapter 2

- some suspected the assumptions/intensions of the hackers regarding the
accessibility of computer making it accessible to all, by pointing out that the
hackers were doing it to enhance their own power

-although the availability/accessibility of computer to the people

- the computer user then first arose as a numbers, faceless, social category
, with the emergence of hacker counterculture of the 60 and 70 compelled
with the ensuing development, accessibility

-when we look at user as social entity, it helps us understand the social forces
that have, more less, constructed the user and determined who will have access
to computer power

- the user as a social category, therefore, is constantly changing to:
- the development of computer software
- transformation in the social forces present in society including
advertisement
- the role of the user themselves are able to construct and play

Peter Golding's chapter on the " ..Information and communication tech.." from
Pendakur and Harris?
The culture of software production.

Peter Golding's chapter on the information and communication tech,..."
from Pendakur and Harris

Dynamic of social forces need to be investigated more important than
technological innovation "

"...70% of the resources are consumed by 15% of the population"
(Golding, 2002 ...p.21)

"..(one) billion or so of the world 's population are living on less than a
dollar a day" p21

The world is polarized US and them.

Problems..: .accessibility to the information and communication tech.

(ICTs)....external control of local economies, and the question of inequity

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The role of citizens and politicians in making sure that new information
technology are shaped to the benefit of community as a whole.

Commercial needs and corporate strategy, and the new information
technology...

Transformation of social and economic life?

How many is new in the social context of social and economic formation?

Fallacies:

Identity formation technology transforming the way we think, our sexuality, ...we
need to consider the following

political structure and institutions

The space for dealing with symbolic resources is shaped by corporate
interests....inequality is present.

Power: "individualization, unequal access, and disenfranchisement may be the
outcome of Net politics" (p.27)

Change: inequality on the basis of gender.

The theme of the article
the continuation of familiar patterns of social structure and experience
(p.30)

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4
th
Oct Sociology Notes (Material after the Midterm)

Discourses:

"Discourses are ways of referring to or construction knowledge about a particular
topic of practice : a cluster or formation of ideas, images and practices, which
provide ways of talking about, forms of knowledge and conduct associated with ,
a particular topic, social activity or institutional site in society" (stuart Hall, 1997)

"A language structure that includes particular structure words and jargon,
symbols, metaphors, meanings and associations. Our society is filled with many
different discourses that have varying degrees of specificity, ideological content
and power."

Summary for Discourse

Historically constructed regimes of knowledge

Language structure ..words and jargon, symbols, metaphors, meanings
and associations

Ideological content, common...sense assumptions, and taken for granted

ideas, belief systems and myths that groups of people share and through
which they understand each other.

element of power

constantly being reproduced and constituted, and can change and evolve
in the process

provide ways of talking

Modern / Modernity

Modern - refers to:

modern society
intellectual movement
Origin - enlightenment
scientific reason - the social and natural world

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Modernity:

linked to western industrial capitalist society

emphasis on science, technology, and rationality.....these are relied on, as
well as forced by modern thinkers in order to make sense of the confusion
and rapid change of modern society

the promise of universal truth, justice and equality

Postmodern refers to

Social reality postmodern post modernity - emerged in the 1960's and
early 1970's as a way to solve the problems of modernity

Intellectual movement post modern thought

Characteristics of postmodern - great speed and fragmentation

postmodern theory/thought
challenges and criticizes modernity and its promise universal truth, justice
and equality
Uphold diversity
Looks at the impact of discourse and the role it plays in the creation of
social realities and identities.

Digital discourse

"The specific language, text, talk, symbols and shared meanings that surround
digital technologies and the new information economy" (Millar, 1998.p201)

"There are many forms of digital discourse in our society, from the most intense
forms (as found in magazines like Wired) to that used by journalists and
advertisers in mainstream culture" (Millar, 1998, p201)

History of the digital discourse or the impact of our history on the digital discourse.

Does the digital discourse link to socio-economic conditions and to dominant
ideas?

We need to recognize its connections to socio-economic conditions and to other
dominant ideas and understand how it influences our current understandings of
power relations"

Does it link to power relations?
Does it help us understand power relations?
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Does it the digital discourse link to science and the preceding technology?
What is the link between gender and science and technology?
Were women excluded from playing a role in the early institutions of
science and technology?
Science and technology, did they replace religion?
Racial element and science and technology?
The development of western science and technology had an impact on
race and culture, was it translated as superiority over non-western culture-
--became part of the dominant perception of the Western world and its
ideologies of imperialism.
As a result, the religions mission to convert foreign peoples to Christianity
was gradually replaced by a desire to civilize them through Western
Science and Technology (pg. 31, 2
nd
paragraph)
Accompanying the development of industrial society are features that
reflect modern life with its emphasis on individualism and alienation
Impact of Capitalism (developed in the 19
th
century) on children and
women
With industrialization in the context of the capitalist class society, women
and children were excluded from playing a role in the public sphere
Promise of science and tech to provide solutions to all kinds of problems
Male dominance over science and tech

Digital Discourse has grown up with and repeats many of these modern
hegemonic assumptions. (Miller pg.33)

But it has also been influenced by the reactions to modernity that has arisen in
the last three decades. (Miller pg 30)

Challenge and criticism of modernity by postmodernists.

Criticism of legitimating state and corporate power science through the
scientifically grounded, technical bureaucratic rationality.

Post-Modern theory argues that based on previous assumptions ----
delivered on the justice and equality, nationally and internationally we
must become comfortable with more questions and fewer answers.

Society is as unknowable ---this assumption of post-modern becomes
problematic for feminists.

Digital discourse, did it depart from the central elements of modernity.

Despite that important criticism that came from postmodern through---- it is
seen to be problematic especially for western feminists.
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Why is it problematic?

It worked against collective political aspirations for equality (Miller pg.35)

However, post modern theory has also provided feminism with very
important insights

It helps us to more fully understand the problems of using the category
women simplistically without recognizing the multiplicity of experiences
and subjectivity of different women.

Post-modern theory has provided feminism in many tools:

By emphasizing the role of language and by demonstrating the multiplicity
of power relations that exist within society.

Post modern through has helped some feminists build sophisticated
theoretical understanding of society.

Yet the digital discourse does not seem to represent a significant departure from
the central elements of modernity.

We may be experiencing a shake up among existing corporate elites, but
hegemonic power structure remain intact

The core of Digital discourse remains thoroughly modern----Digital discourse
does not simply turn its back on the master narratives of modernity. Nor does
it destabilize the universal (male) human subject or distrust scientific reasons.

Global info capitalism is problematic.

Because of its approach, which emphasizes material aspects, logic of
capitalism.

And the impact of info tech on employment (with respect to quantity and
quality)

As well as the element of control.

The emergence of the new and communications technologies and the
rise of digital discourse cannot be separated from the logic of the mode of
production that has facilitated their design, production and proliferation.

In the other words, digital discourse both support and is supported by the
needs of capitalism.
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Hence, we need to recognize the role of digital tech in the expansion of
(primarily) American capitalism..

And the cultural, economic and political imperialism that accompany such
expansion.

We need to look at the role that US based multinational s play with respect
to the Net.

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18
th
Oct Sociology Notes

Millar Chapter 1

Global info capital is problematic:

Because of its approach, which emphasizes material aspects, logic of
capitalism,
And the impact of info-tech on employment with respect to quantity and
quality
As well as the element of control
The emergence of the new and communications technologies and the rise
of digital discourse cannot be separated from the logic of the mode of
production that has facilitated their design, production and proliferation
(p36)
In other words digital discourse both supports and is supported by the
needs of capital (p36)
Hence, we need to recognize the role of digital technology in the
expansion of primarily American capitalism
And the cultural, economic and political imperialism that accompany such
expansion
We need to look at the role that US based multinationals play with respect
to the net
The result is the same as in pervious waves of imperialism: cultures are
decimated, bulldozed, globalized with barbaric abandon (p36)
We need to understand the impact of info capital: free trade; on the role of
the state and democracy (p40).

Reorganization of work thru automation

Results: deskilling, demeaning work, .low wages, massibe layoffs and
adverse effects on womens work (p41)
Sexism and racism are still with us (p42 parag. 2 and top of p46)
Ch ends on p. 52

Millar - Chapter 2

Western feminism & computer technology

To control technology control perception
o promises and speculations mask the complex social issues of
inequality, oppression and the human ecological costs of
technological restructuring

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Questions pertaining to :

1. The ability of technology to solve sociopolitical problems if structure of
society with its unequal power relations does not change

2. The potential of digital culture to change or reinforce the repressive
popular culture and politics the women have found it to be problematic
since 1960s

25
th
Oct Sociology Notes

o liberal feminists focus on addressing the internets gendered
nature and argue that through accessibility to the internet and
technical training (including gender sensitive training) women will
prosper

o Do not see that the social setting to be problematicwith respect to
how the technology is designed, implemented and disseminated.

o Criticism do not address the link of technology to socio-economic
forces

Cyberfeminists are more hopeful than liberal feminists believe in the
potential of the internet to provide opportunities to communicate without
discrimination on the basis of gender, race and ethnicity i.e. encourage
identities that are multiple, decentralized and flexible.(based on the work
of Turlkelife on the screen).

o Thereby, eradicating the element of patriarchy (male dominance)
o Criticism: overlooks the historical and social context
The link between language and discourse, and power and
control.
o Ecofeminsts women have unique relations with nature
o Criticism to remove sexism we can not replace it with matriarchal
hierarchy

Heather Menzies work provides the socio-economic context of how
automation, computerization and networking served the interests of capital
big corporations
o Looks at the discrimination faced by women in the work place with
the use of computer tech
o Criticism does not however, offer feminist analysis does not look
at the link between gender discourse and practice
o The element of patriarchy that is embedded in the technological
discourse
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Millars theoretical perspective is based on gender discourse analysis
analyzes the link between discourse and political and economic realities

Millar Chapter 3

Software programs what do you think?
Read Menzies quote p 64 what do you think? (Should we blame
ourselves for the systems failure not the software developers?
Neutrality perfection of the software become naturalized
Top-down approach communications with managers not
programmers and consumers

Assumptions:
User is illiterate
Dumb-user stories are shared by software developers

Dumb user stories p67

Developers design programs with that in mind (users).

Assumptions can cause problems computers offer solutions Computers do not
make mistakes, people do become entrenched in the programs

The term error assigns blame
The use of absolute words connoting danger destruction and death
User friendly programs designed with the user in mind
The user is the one who becomes friendly learn to adapt to the system
not the other way around
User friendly programs become complex with all the different features that
the have
User is insignificant
The underlying message is that the machine is being kind enough to
simplify and slow done for less talented people
Two movements: user centered design participatory design
User centered design is simplistic and utilitarian view of disregarding the
power of the mythology of computer use
User centered design designing a system that caters to the user
communicating and consulting with the actual user
Participatory design emerged from Scandinavia improvement of the
system and empowering the actual workers so they can codetermine the
development of the information system and their workplace users
actively engage in designing

It is a system that is contrary to mass production techniques
Both of theses systems remain an ideal to strive for
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User centered design cannot challenge the hierarchy of computer
knowledge
User centered design the user still being looked at as a single objectified
entity clearly differentiated from the developers of the program

Art programs and computer technology, topic 6 Chapter 10.

Computers are being used at the expense of what? At the expense of arts
programs: drama, music and VA
Main points of the chapter
- With the heavy reliance on computer use we are encouraging a specific type of
intelligence higher order thinking skills
- Not much attention is paid to a range of contexts and activities, the focus in on
one way of thinking: analytic
- Real cognition involves more than technical skills
- We are not providing students with critical thinking
- Learning stems from teacher child relationship, or parent and child p182
- See the reference on p169 to studies indicating that our arts programs improve
students ability in core academic subjects
- See reference on p180 par3 fairytales enhance imaginations children are
able to make sense of their world
- Feeling and image making of the child are ignored; the focus is on the
development of a narrowly conceived functional skills p181 par2

TV vs. radio TV destroys the creation of images; on the other hand, radio is
more like to stimulate childrens imagination p181 par3

Research indicates that children who are using reader rabbit software reading
programs are having difficulties answering open ended questions p181 par4 and
impact negatively on their verbal fluency

more arts programs make education more accessible p182 par3

We are doing our children a great disservice by eliminating arts programs in
order to provide them with computer technology p183

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1
st
Nov Sociology Notes

The real world of learning

What do you think of Suzukis quote p184 without intimacy with nature. We
can confuse crime against the Earth with technological progress.

Real progress should connect us to the Earth.
Real progress teaches to consider the environment.
Not just concerned monetary things.
The type of technology progress on the whole, that we have been
witnessing results in;
Deformation and depletion of different species
What do you think about this quote ? (pg. 185, Armstrong & C)

..classroom projects involving. Living things and field trip to various natural
environment have an important part to play in developing such as altitude (which
connect us to the nature)and give children a sense of personal
responsibilities for other forms of life SEE QUOTE

Can computer simulated images produce similar effect to the above approaches?
Ans: Yes

Do you think that computer simulated images can give children false ideas about
their relationship with the natural world?
Ans: Critical thinking can help us.

Do you think that simulated images can be problematic because they do not
reflect the real world complexities to children?

Simulation vs. real world. (example, when something goes wrong with the
program, you can close it down)

Can you do that when you deal with real world? Ans: No

Problem with simulated programs.

Over simplifications: leads to a partial understanding of the real world. Eg.
Water game
Limitations : its inability to reflect the world (never be like real world)
Present the problem as only lack of water.
Other problems such as fuel, spreading fertilizer and weeding crops are
not deal with.

However, having said that I argue that we might have programs that address that
in the future.
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The author refers to the significance of direct observation and experience as
currently acknowledge by scientists.Check the (example given about Brian
Carson..working on restoring the Chapman Creek watershed on the sunshine
cost, north of Vancouver after it has been virtually destroyed due to industries
(logging))

The approach as follows:

Along the term of volunteers, is to spend hours observing and
understanding how it once flowed by the area was logged.
He learned also from personal experience of people who knowledgeable
about rivers on the basic of years of observation.
The significance of first hand experience eg.the warring Creak
Improvement Association.follows a community approach to enhancing
the local environment.
Encouraging people including children to play an active role in improving
the environment around them and its quality.
The results were meaningful people started to get involved in issues
affecting their community.

Do you agree with the author that this type of computer simulated programs
mentioned above would distance children from the true nature of the material
they are learning about?

According to Armstrong & C

Simulation does not reflect the true reality of nature whether we are talking about
plants or animals.

Observation and experience vs. computer programs

Does scientific knowledge depend on high technological intervention?
Human observation and experience are far more essential.
For further example about the significance of direct experience and
observation (pg. 194-195)
One last example the author indicates is that the Amazon Indians in fact
passes an encyclopedia botanical knowledge that few, if any western
scientist can match..(see example)
The another tell us that the study of nature require a good deal of patient,
observation and solution. Considerable hardship. The natural world
doesnt perform of demand. (pg. 186)
The simulated images quite often present is with artificial technology.

26

Read from Armstrong and C Real World of Learning
(Read quote pg (199) By learning from
(Read quote pg (188, 2
nd
paragraph) Rael Endore Rozaks student.
(Read Suzukis quote pg (195, 196))

Work & Computer tech

- Work is a very significant human activity
- Historically speaking work has been an integral part of daily experience.
- With the invention of the new computer technology however, jobs are
being lost at an alarming rate.
- J ob losses are being witnessed throughout the developed world. The new
technology is unlike any other technology in terms of its elimination of jobs.
Some are predicting the end of the era of the working man and woman"
(Rifkin, 1995, p. 7).
- Some are also anticipating that in a few years from now only 2% of the
world's work force would be able to meet the demand that is needed
internationally.
- Others are saying, in three decades from now with more automation,
factories will not need any manual labour at all (Rifkin, 1995, p. 9).
- With this new sophisticated technology, the restructuring & re-engineering
of the workplace, most of the jobs that are available are on a part time
basis.
- The negative effects of the new computer technology will be encountered
by every one, regardless of the level of education, skills or experience.
- They might find themselves laid-off with little warning (see Rifkin, 1995,
Chapter 1 for examples from around the world).

27
8
th
Nov Sociology Notes

Trickle-down technology and market realities

The dominant perception, for more than a century has been that new
technologies give rise to productivity, lower the cost of production and
increase the supply of cheap products, which further result in the
enhancement of purchasing power, expansion of markets & the creation of
more jobs.
This line of reasoning indicates that the benefits resulting from the
development of technology & productivity serve the workers in terms of
cheaper products, better purchasing power & more jobs, is referred to
as a theory of trickle-down technology

The roots of trickle-down technology go back to the work of the French
economist J ean Baptiste who was writing in the early 19th century. He argued
that supply produces its own demand.... The creation of one product
immediately opens up a vent for other products" (p 15, 3
rd
paragraph). Baptiste's
idea later influenced neo-classical economists who believed that the new
technology would replace workers & advance productivity, thereby, leading to the
increase in goods at a low cost. The availability of products at lower prices
pushes consumers to demand more goods, which lead to further production, and
again in a cyclical fashion enhancing production and consumption.

The continued expansion of production will result in additional hiring which will
compensate earlier losses of jobs caused by technological displacement. Lower
prices mean that consumers will have more money to spend on products, which
lead to further production and employment in the rest of the economy.

The conceptualization of technological development leading to continued
growth and employment was questioned by Karl Marx in his work Capital
Volume 1 (1867).
First, we should look at Marx's main assumptions regarding Society:
Two main classes with respect to ownership and non-ownership of the
means of production
Means of production: refers to building, equipment and other investment
Mode of production =type of economy, the way goods and services are
produced
Reserve army of workers = high unemployment rate
The main concern for producers is profit.
Producers aim to reduce the cost of labour & increase control over
the workers
According to Karl Marx, producers try to control the workers and
reduce the cost of labour, they will substitute machines for human
labour
With the increase in technology worker's labour becomes devalued
28
Although, the producer benefit from having a reserve army of
labour and reducing the cost of labour (through technological
displacement ) , (bringing wages down) & strengthening control--
leading to more production. But, they will lose in the end due to the
reduction in the number of consumers
Despite the fact that many economists agree with Marx , in part,
they argue that displacement of workers is inevitable --no progress
without temporary displacement (see page 18 for examples on
displacement in the U.S.).
Karl Marx was right on that, starting from the beginning of the 20
th

century, with the rise in productivity, jobs were lost, people were
unemployed for a long time. There was also drastic decline in
sales.
The business community in the U.S., around the 1920', started to think of ways
to convince consumers to buy.

The gospel of mass consumption

Historically speaking, the term consumption meant to destroy.
In the 1920's, the meaning of the term started to change.
To make people buy products was not that easy, especially, when a lot
people were losing their jobs, and wages were low.
The business community had to create the desire to get the consumers to
want things. They had to create the "dissatisfied" consumer.
As J ohn Kenneth Galbraith tells us they had to "create the wants they
seek to satisfy". Marketing became significant, playing a key role in
making consumer to want products they have never desired before.
There were successful in turning producer culture into consumer culture--
changing views from utilitarian & descriptive ones to emotional appeals,
status and differentiation.
Advertisers created an image of affluence. More specifically, the message
that they were spreading is that store-bought & factory products are much
more superior to home made products.

The line of reasoning used in marketing and advertising represented a
polarization between modern & old-fashion.
They were convincing the public, as Harry Braverman put ...the ability to
buy things became a status, & not the ability to produce them.
Home owners became the ideal consumers... "Keeping up with the
J oneses". Marketing strategies started to change lifestyles & eating habits
of consumers. Along this line of thinking, the notion of consumer's credit
was instilled in people.
Those who were fortunate enough to have jobs were able to consume.
Having said that however, it should be pointed out that the rise in wages
did not keep up with productivity output.
Some automobile manufacturers were concerned with that. As Henry
29
Ford indicated that workers should be paid enough to buy the cars he was
producing.

While, no one denies the fact, that productivity was on the rise, it was however at
the expense of workers (through labour-saving technology). - Some economists
(i.e. J ohn Maynard Keynes... ), were warning about technological unemployment,
hence, a contradiction was present in the capitalist industrial nations.

The notion of work sharing

By the 1930's, with the increase in productivity, efficiency & economic surpluses,
labour leaders started to advocate reduced working hours.

The cult of Efficiency

The blind belief in technology and efficiency predicted a future characterized by a
workless world, a lot of material wealth, and plenty of free time.

Efficiency and the work of Frederick Taylor

- In trying to come up with an efficient work place, Frederick Taylor followed a
scientific approach to organize the work place.
- In his theory known as "scientific management" in 1895, he divided the
workplace into small repetitive tasks.
- Each task was measured scientifically in order to achieve the maximum
efficiency. Later on, this approach to efficiency came to dominate not only
the factories but also, offices, schools and other institutions in society.

Watched a movie at the end of class

30
15
th
Nov Sociology Notes (Last Class)

The Death of the Working Class
- In the last decade or so, we have been witnessing the increase in
computer technology in the workplace.
- There are indications that this trend will continue in the future.
- While there is no doubt that Computer-technology has contributed to
increase in production, lowered the labour costs, rendered information
more accessible, and facilitated control over workers and the work
process.
- While there is no doubt that one can find many positive elements to
computer technology, for many workers, the increasing reliance of
computer technology in the workplace had made devastating impact,
contributing to the alienation of labour and creating a stressful work
environment.

The impact of de-skilling
- In pre or early industrial society, control over the work process and the
pace of production was very much in hands of the workers.
- In order to transfer control from the workers to employers, " scientific
management" was introduced in the beginning of the 20 century by
Frederick Taylor.
- The application of de-skilling and technology reduced the worker to mere
"Automaton" or wooden man, increased the rate of exploitation by the
owners of the means of production and reduced the unit cost of labour.
- The profit-driven employer was able to set the pace at which the Labourer
worked and decreased labour control over the work process.
- Social thinkers such as Karl Marx expected this transformation in the
workplace and the negative effects it will have on workers. Marx tells us
that the worker becomes dehumanized, alienated, dissatisfied and
unhappy with his work:
"First, the fact that labour is external to the worker, i.e. it does not belong to
his essential being; that in his work, therefore, he does not affirm himself but
denies himself, does not feel content but unhappy, does not develop freely his
physical and mental energy but mortifies his body and ruins his mind. The
worker therefore only feels himself outside his work, and in his work feels
outside himself. He is at home when he is not working, and when he is
working he is not at home. His labour is therefore not voluntary, but coerced;
it's forced labour. It is therefore not the satisfaction of a need; it is merely a
means to satisfy needs external to it" (cited in B. Ollman 1976:136, Alienation,
Marx's conception of man in capitalist society).
With the new information technology (through its direct programming of
the machine), the worker lost whatever little control he/she still have over
the production process.
Currently, the workers are experiencing high levels of stress (mental "
overload" and "burnout") due to the monitoring of sophisticated computer
31
systems (e.g. Rifkin,1995, p. 187, see also the example of the electronic
cash registers, p. 188). On job stress & costs in the U.S. and U.K., see
page 189, paragraph number two.
The impact of the high stress levels is causing health related problems: ulcers;
high blood pressure; heart attacks and drug abuse. Surveys done in 1993
pointed out that 75 percent of American workers thought that their jobs were
stressful (Page 189, paragraph number three, see also paragraph number five
and top of page 119, for further examples).

In addition to the aforementioned utilization of computer technology to
maximize wealth, enhance production, cutting labour costs and further control
labour, employers are hiring people as "contingent" workers (to work on a
temporary and part-time basis), through outsource suppliers (bypassing unions
for goods and services traditionally handled in-house), "out-source suppliers are
smaller companies paying low wages and providing few benefits to their workers"
(top of page 192). In 1993, more than 34 million Americans were contingent
workers (page 190, 5th paragraph). The prediction for the year 2000 by some,
states that more than 35% of the U.S. workforce will be contingent workers. "The
movement toward contingent workers is part of a long-term strategy by
management to cut wages and avoid paying for costly benefits like health care,
pensions, paid sick leave, and vacation" (top of page 191). The earnings of part-
time temporary workers "on average is 20 to 40 percent less than full-time
workers doing comparable work" (page 191, third paragraph).
Close to 157,000 government employees, or 7.2% of the work force, are
presently temps. (bottom of page 193).
" Temporary workers and outsourcing makeup the bulk of today's contingent
work force -- millions of Americans whose labour can be used and discarded at a
moment's notice and at a fraction of the cost of maintaining a permanent work
force", as one temp worker put it: "they think of us as throw away people" (page
194, second paragraph). Resorting to such a strategy is bringing wages down
for the few who are still working full-time. It is also enhancing the bargaining
power of employers over workers.

Technological displacement and the transformation of the work place coupled
with the social perception of work in terms of self-worth, and societal emphasis
on being "productive " citizen are producing all kinds of psychological problems
for the unemployed and the temp workers. It is creating a
hostile and a violent workplace. "... the workplace has become a virtual war zone,
with laid-off employees shooting their fellow employees and employers with
increasing frequency. Homicide is now the third major cause of death at the
workplace. In 1992, reports the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health, there were 111,000 incidents of workplace violence, including 750 fatal
shootings. The murdering of employers has nearly tripled since 1989 and is the
fastest- growing category of workplace violence" (top paragraph of page 196).
Unable to understand the causes of unemployment and restructuring, some
people are blaming themselves(especially those who have been unemployed for
32
around a year or more) for the economic problems they are facing. Some
become depressed, and some might commit suicide.

Couture, Jean-Claude: teachers workin Marita Moll (ed.) Tech high:
Globalization & the Future of Canadian Education
- the experience of some teachers in
Alberta
- reduction in educational fund
- education & jobsstronger links
- computer tech. & jobs
- restructuring & teachers & the issue of control
- fund raisingrunning bingos
- teachersreading their e-mail messages instead of interacting with their
students during lunch time
- teachers were told that they can do more with less
- more important for students to establish relations between themselves &
the world around them

Discourse of excellence
- Culture of performativity and the issue of control (p.142)
- your job belongs to you

Criticism
- teachers are being given ownership of conditions they cannot control
(p.145, 3
rd
paragraph).
- Culture of inevitable insufficiency teachers neither create nor destroy..
(p.145).

A bunch of shit from scott-dixon

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