Social Issues in Technology: A Format for Investigation (4th Edition) - Hardcover

Alcorn, Paul A.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0130602574 ISBN 13: 9780130602572

Publisher: Pearson, 2002

Synopsis

Finely-focused on the technology-society connection, this unique book presents the methods and theories available for exploring the effects of technology on our lives—past, present, and future. A three part organization presents chapters under three main headings that look at: The Nature of Technology: Foundations, Methods of Study, and then a Conclusion. Chapter topics include Creativity and Innovation: The Critical Link; Economics and Cultural Impetus; An Idea Whose Time Has Come; The Cause and Effect of Technology and Society; Modeling, Simulations, and Gaming; Systems Behavior: The Universal Laws; Diversity, Randomness, and Systemic Integrity; Catastrophe Theory: The Plague of Technological Complexity; and The Systemic Models. A primer that gives investigators the necessary intellectual tools to begin their own research into the field.

About this title

From the Back Cover

The world is changing at an incredible rate. Most of these changes are taking place as the result of technological advances.

• We have survived Y2K.
• We are on the verge of a communications revolution.
• We have mapped the human genome in its entirety.

In the fourth edition of Social Issues in Technology, Paul Alcorn continues his systematic theme and provides the most up-to-date information concerning issues previously discussed. Chapter 4, Economics and Cultural Impetus, and Chapter 10, Catastrophic Theory: The Plague of Technological Complexity, have both been expanded. A new report on the effects of modernization on traditional Maasai societies in Tanzania and Kenya has been added.

Instructors who are using this book for a course should obtain the accompanying Instructor's Manual (ISBN: 0-13060258-2).

Edition details

• Publisher: Pearson
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0130602574
• ISBN 13: 9780130602572
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 4
• Number of pages: 320