Difference between revisions of "325--2011--Week 2 Questions/Comments"
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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. | 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. | ||
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| + | According to Alexander Hamilton’s “Report of Manufactures” there are three items that represent American manufacturing successfully: scarcity of hands, dearness of labor, & want of capital. At the beginning of this document, Hamilton points out the embarrassment of the current system of external trade, and the necessity of enlarging the sphere of American domestic commerce. In this document Hamilton suggests by doing this, it will add additional employment, the use of machinery, and overall promoting unity in America. Unlike Jefferson, Hamilton looked for ways to expand American Capital, while Jefferson preferred to keep American Technology to only necessities. Jefferson believed in the political economists in Europe, where each state would endeavor to manufacture for itself. During this time frame, Americans would only identify themselves by states or even counties rather than which country they are from, giving Americans no form of unity among one another. While I see Jefferson’s point, I have to be on Hamilton’s side because I believe that manufacturing is a possible way for the states to become unified rather than separate. – Megan Gallagher | ||
== 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. | ||
