The Collaborative Nature of Technology and Culture

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So often we focus primarily on the ways in which technology, particularly through mass communication, influences our culture as if it’s a simple point A to point B connection. But what if we consider instead the way in which technology and culture influence each other? Rather than a simple impact created by one direct action or series of actions founded in technology, what if instead, technology and culture are directly engaged in two-way interactions, which then create new expectations and drive focused cultural changes?

“As much as technology is created from the fabric of our culture, technology also creates the fabric of our culture” 

(Gilkey, 2015, para. 7).

Our culture is the driving force behind technology innovation as we aspire to solve problems, fill needs and find more efficient ways to achieve results. Yet that innovation broadly affects our culture, from the industrial revolution to the mass production of vehicles to radio and television. These advances in technology led to the creation of “a culture of commuters, vacationers and the suburbs…a culture of listeners…the culture of Hollywood, MTV, always-on news and reality TV shows” (Gilkey, 2015, para. 3, 4, 5). This creation of new cultures and impact on existing were not instantaneous but did become an enormous game-changer in society as a whole. "The dynamic relationship between culture and technology means that technologies also alter the cultures that use them" (Cravens, 2003, para. 8).

The Internet and mobile technology came about via cultural demands and continue to influence our culture each day in a variety of ways:

• When notifications pop up on mobile devices or desktops
• When you interact with friends face-to-face while also interacting virtually on your phone
• When you order online instead of going to a brick-and-mortar store
• When you engage virtually rather than picking up a phone or visiting someone
• When you are inundated with email communication
• When you go to a restaurant or museum, utilize a service or buy a product based on online profiles and reviews
• When you enjoy on-demand entertainment 

These are just a few of the ways in which technology influences the way we live our lives, and the engagement between the two has far more potential to change cultural practices and lives.

“All technologies are shaped by their particular cultural context. Different physical environments and geographies create different needs that require solutions”

(Cravens, 2003, para. 4).

This TEDxUCLA talk, presented by UCLA Associate Professor Ramesh Srinivasan, explores the way diverse cultures bring about change through technology. Srinivasan “studies and participates in projects focused on how new media technologies impact political revolutions, economic development and poverty reduction, and the future of cultural heritage” (TEDx Talks, 2012, para. 1). Not convinced technology and culture directly influence each other? This stirring talk demonstrates the tremendous impact each has on the other.

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References

Cravens, A. (2003, February 22). The dynamic relationship between technology and culture. Retrieved from http://fubini.swarthmore.edu/~ENVS2/S2003 /Amanda/Paper2technologyculture.htm

Gilkey, C. (2015, April 21). Technology and culture influence each other - Productive Flourishing. Retrieved from http://www.productiveflourishing.com/technology-and-culture-influence-each-other/

TEDx Talks. (2012, December 13). How culture and technology create one another: Ramesh Srinivasan at TEDxUCLA [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/Eo8iNn2CCE4