The Nature of Technology Kap 11 Flashcards
Where do we stand with this creation of ours? (10 cards)
What three foundational propositions does W. Brian Arthur set out at the start of Chapter 11 for a theory of technology?
1. All technologies are combinations of elements.
2. Those elements are themselves technologies.
3. Every technology uses one or more phenomena for a purpose—technology is, at root, the “programming of nature.”
Why does Arthur describe technology as “a programming of nature”?
Because each technology captures specific physical or informational phenomena (e.g., magnetism, combustion, algorithms) and orchestrates them in an organized way to fulfill human purposes, much as a computer program calls sub‑routines to accomplish a task.
What is “combinatorial evolution,” and how does it differ from Darwinian evolution in biology?
Combinatorial evolution is the process by which novel technologies arise from recombining existing technologies that now serve as building blocks; those new creations, in turn, become ingredients for further combinations. Unlike Darwinian evolution—where variation is random and selection is environmental—technological variation is intentional problem‑solving, and new “species” emerge by consciously linking a perceived need to effects that can satisfy it.
Where do the “needs” that drive technological evolution primarily come from, according to Arthur?
Needs arise less from direct human wants and more from limitations or problems generated by existing technologies themselves; each solution tends to spawn fresh requirements, so “need follows solution as much as solution follows need.”
**Give two reasons Arthur says modern technologies are “becoming more biological.”
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- Complex systems of interconnected components now sense their environments and re‑configure actions—showing qualities such as self‑configuring, self‑healing, and rudimentary cognition.
- Digitization and networking let functionalities from many domains combine fluidly, forming adaptive “metabolisms of things‑executing‑things,” akin to interacting organisms rather than fixed machines.
What does Arthur mean by a “generative economy,” and how does it shift managerial focus?
A generative economy is dominated by raw, recombinable functionalities instead of fixed, single‑purpose processes. Management’s challenge moves from optimizing stable operations to sense‑making in ill‑defined situations and continually assembling new strategic combinations—often through temporary alliances rather than in‑house resources.
How does competitive advantage change for firms and nations in this generative economy?
Advantage stems less from owning physical resources and more from owning deep, specialized scientific and technical expertise that can be recombined rapidly into new offerings. Firms lacking particular expertise often buy startups or form short‑lived partnerships to fill the gaps.
Arthur quotes architect Robert Venturi’s preference for “messy vitality over obvious unity.” What larger interpretive shift does this illustrate?
It illustrates a cultural move away from the Enlightenment ideal of perfect mechanical order toward an organic worldview that accepts complexity, openness, and emergent properties—mirroring how interconnected technologies and economies actually behave.
Summarize Martin Heidegger’s critique of modern technology as presented in the chapter.
Heidegger argues that technology frames nature merely as “standing reserve”—a stockpile of resources for human exploitation—thereby eroding reverence for the natural world. Worse, technology develops its own momentum, compelling humans to adapt to it rather than the reverse.
Why does Arthur say we feel deep ambivalence toward technology, and how is this tension reflected in popular myths such as Star Wars?
We trust nature yet hope in technology; when technology intervenes directly in nature (genetic engineering, AI), it feels unnatural, threatening autonomy and “will.” Myths split technology into life‑affirming, fallible tools (Han Solo’s patched‑up ship) versus dehumanizing systems (the Death Star) to express our fear of surrendering agency versus our desire for empowerment.
