Difference between revisions of "325--2011--Week 2 Questions/Comments"
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In my opinion Thomas Jefferson was a hypocrite. At first he only believes that large scale manufacturing isn't needed, then he returns home after being away for 10 years and finds his crops are dying. Thus he must depend on his nail business. I suspect some of his first thoughts on large scale manufacturing may have been swayed by slavery. Perhaps he foresaw the abolishment of slavery with the abolishment of dependance on agriculture. In any case while he was trying to regenerate his farms with funding from his nail-making business, he says, "My new trade of nail-making is to me | In my opinion Thomas Jefferson was a hypocrite. At first he only believes that large scale manufacturing isn't needed, then he returns home after being away for 10 years and finds his crops are dying. Thus he must depend on his nail business. I suspect some of his first thoughts on large scale manufacturing may have been swayed by slavery. Perhaps he foresaw the abolishment of slavery with the abolishment of dependance on agriculture. In any case while he was trying to regenerate his farms with funding from his nail-making business, he says, "My new trade of nail-making is to me | ||
in this country what an additional title of nobility"(Smith and Clancey 115). Perhaps it was then that he realized that manufacturing their own necessities here in America would make them more independent from other countries. - Matt S. | in this country what an additional title of nobility"(Smith and Clancey 115). Perhaps it was then that he realized that manufacturing their own necessities here in America would make them more independent from other countries. - Matt S. | ||
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| + | Thomas Jefferson was one of the greatest minds of his time by far, but it is evident from his attitude that he had no idea what technological advances would come. Then again, he had reason to not want an "industrial age" to happen so soon. During the 18th century, the land was vast across the thirteen colonies, with people living far away from one another. Factory systems and mass production only are able to survive in small areas, due to the fact that the product much reach so many people. Beyond that, agriculture was a sure bet to make money. If the colonies had switched to Britain's factory system, nobody would know the outcome. Here in America, there were vast resources, paired up with cheap land (almost free) and plenty of space to work. He did not want to become economically challenged like Britian had become, but Jefferson did want to see some technological advancement to show that the colonies were out from the shadow of the former controlling country. I only wonder how many others viewed Jefferson's opinion during this time. - Patrick K. | ||
== Leo Marx's "The Machine" == | == Leo Marx's "The Machine" == | ||
I found the idea of technological expression very interesting – the idea that the type of technology one chooses to own can actually convey aspects of their personality seems to be very relevant to our modern world of infinite technological gadgets we can choose to buy or leave on the shelf. For instance, a person whom doesn’t own a cell phone or a computer might be trying to communicate something to society about their willingness or lack thereof to participate in modern communication practices. The same might go for somebody whom doesn’t own a television; how many people have you ever might who claim to not own a television? Have you ever asked why? The answer always seems to be 1 of 2 things – “I don’t have time to watch TV,” or “TV makes you dumb, feeds your mind with banal pop culture, and I simply don’t choose to indulge in it.” By walking into a home and seeing a person with a record player, they might be trying to show their appreciation of vinyl records, and a taste for retro music equipment. The reading also discussed how Karl Marx believed the Industrial Revolution stripped many skilled artisans and craftsmen of their identity and humanity, as they were replaced by assembly lines and machines. However, does it really matter that so many artisans were reduced to being menial workers? Is it sad? Perhaps. Important? Probably not. Isn’t technology all about efficiency and innovation? Is it really important to maintain trades and crafts that humans have traditionally held for hundreds of years in the face of a greater, more efficient and productive machine? If improving and innovating technology is all about getting the job done better and more quickly, then the answer is a resounding “no.” --Kevin G. | I found the idea of technological expression very interesting – the idea that the type of technology one chooses to own can actually convey aspects of their personality seems to be very relevant to our modern world of infinite technological gadgets we can choose to buy or leave on the shelf. For instance, a person whom doesn’t own a cell phone or a computer might be trying to communicate something to society about their willingness or lack thereof to participate in modern communication practices. The same might go for somebody whom doesn’t own a television; how many people have you ever might who claim to not own a television? Have you ever asked why? The answer always seems to be 1 of 2 things – “I don’t have time to watch TV,” or “TV makes you dumb, feeds your mind with banal pop culture, and I simply don’t choose to indulge in it.” By walking into a home and seeing a person with a record player, they might be trying to show their appreciation of vinyl records, and a taste for retro music equipment. The reading also discussed how Karl Marx believed the Industrial Revolution stripped many skilled artisans and craftsmen of their identity and humanity, as they were replaced by assembly lines and machines. However, does it really matter that so many artisans were reduced to being menial workers? Is it sad? Perhaps. Important? Probably not. Isn’t technology all about efficiency and innovation? Is it really important to maintain trades and crafts that humans have traditionally held for hundreds of years in the face of a greater, more efficient and productive machine? If improving and innovating technology is all about getting the job done better and more quickly, then the answer is a resounding “no.” --Kevin G. | ||
