Complete the mcq:
1. The Neolithic Revolution was a result of
Controlled planting of crops.
Domestication of animals.
Development of irrigation systems.
All of the above.
2. According to Cowan, the pre-Civil War railroad system did not constitute a technological system because
All the railroad lines were owned by the same company.
Different gauge tracks prevented integration as a network.
There were too many east-west trunk lines.
It had sustained too much damage from the war.
3. Rapid urbanization in Britain during the 19th century was the result of
New enclosure laws in rural areas.
A shift from household production to factory production.
A growing dependence upon steam power.
All of the above.
4. The introduction of four uniform time zones in the United States was a direct result of
The widespread introduction of mechanical clocks from China.
The loss of influence of the Catholic Church.
The impact of a fully integrated railroad system.
The growth of commercialized farming in the 20th century.
5. one of the characteristics of Wiki art is
It is all the property of Wikipedia.
It's collaborative and ever-changing.
That finished pieces are sold on an online forum.
That it allows professional artists a new medium.
6. According to Winner, the design of a hoe (el cortito), reflects a political relationship because
it was specifically designed for use by women.
Its design was patented by commercial farming interests.
It was used only by laborers on cotton plantations.
The handle was intentionally made short to let supervisors know who wasn't working.
7. The term Luddite refers to
Investors in industrial society.
Church leaders who supported child labor.
Workers who rejected new technologies.
Politicians who resisted factory reforms.
8. The intended reader of a scholarly resource would be
Students.
Academics.
Professionals.
All of the above
9. Bill Joy argues that the most dangerous aspect of GNR technologies is
That they require rare and expensive materials.
That developers need access to highly protected information.
They are only in the hands of a few.
Their ability to self-replicate.
10. In China, much research into genetically modified organisms is sponsored by the state, but in the west, research is
Primarily publicly funded.
Left solely to research universities.
Driven by a handful of large for-profit corporations.
Guided by public input and consultation.
1. Why does Cowan believe it is important to examine technologies in the context of technological systems? What advantage does this broader perspective give to planners? Give a specific current technological example (not it the reading) in support of your answer.
2. Explain in your own words your understanding of Wajcman's critique of technological determinism. How does her reasoning compare with Winner's argument that technologies can actually reflect political relationships? Provide examples.
3. How have changes in communications technologies affected how we write and what we write? How do wikis and blogs compare to traditional forms such as textbooks and newspaper editorials? Please be specific