This blog post examines the interaction between these two forces through various theories and real-world examples, exploring whether technology develops in response to societal needs or acts as the primary agent of social transformation.
We are currently living in the ‘Information Age’
With the advent of computers and the widespread adoption of the internet in the 21st century, people can now easily access information anytime, anywhere. As Alvin Toffler predicted in his book The Third Wave, the information revolution is rapidly unfolding. As this revolution progresses, computers and the internet have permeated deep into our lives. We wake up in the morning to read articles online, watch TV programs via DMB, and conduct nearly all company business through computers and networks. School classes are taught using computers, and financial transactions are also possible online. Furthermore, people now actively communicate by shifting their communities from offline to online.
Recently, with the advancement of communication technology and the widespread adoption of smartphones, the so-called ‘smart’ era has arrived. Smart devices, including smartphones, smart refrigerators, smart cars, and smart TVs, exchange information and interact via networks, providing tangible convenience in our daily lives. These changes have made things possible that were unimaginable in the past. The fact that these changes occurred in just 20 to 30 years demonstrates how rapid and powerful technological advancement is.
As the pace of technological development accelerates, the accompanying social changes are also speeding up. The development of computers has greatly increased work efficiency by enabling easy storage and sharing of information like documents and photos. Society now uses computers and networks as essential tools not only for personal needs but also for national administrative processing and corporate operations. Especially since the widespread adoption of smartphones, as long as wireless internet is available, people can instantly search for information, communicate, and handle tasks anywhere. Life where it feels like carrying a computer in your hand has become a reality.
The Interaction Between Technology and Society: Technological Determinism vs. Social Constructivism
As such, the development of technology and societal change are inextricably linked, leading some to propose various theories about the relationship between ‘technology’ and ‘society’. Among these, the most prominent theory is ‘technological determinism’. Technological determinism asserts that technology develops independently and becomes the primary driving force behind social change. In other words, technology advances regardless of societal components, and as a result, exerts a decisive influence on society.
For example, observing the rapid proliferation of computers and smartphones makes ‘technological determinism’ seem somewhat plausible. This is because new technologies permeated our daily lives, bringing about significant changes. However, this argument has several limitations. First, technology does not develop independently of society; it is selectively adopted when society requires it. Unlike pure science, technology is researched for practical purposes, an academic field expected to be useful in human life. Even if technology is developed, it must align with societal demands to be adopted. Therefore, the ‘technological determinism’ perspective alone cannot fully explain the process of technology acceptance.
Second, factors beyond technology—economic, social, and policy elements—also play crucial roles in societal change. For instance, the differing internet user rates across continents stem from variations in economic levels and infrastructure. According to the latest statistics, the internet user rate on the African continent remains relatively low at approximately 37% as of 2023, while North America reaches about 87% at the same point in time. This clearly demonstrates that even with identical technology, adoption speed and penetration rates vary significantly depending on each region’s economic environment, infrastructure conditions, and social capital.
Social Constructivism: The Social Context and Interaction of Technology
Another theory countering ‘technological determinism’ is ‘social constructivism’. Social constructivism explains that technology develops intertwined with society’s political, economic, and cultural demands. This theory holds the perspective that the direction of technological development is influenced by society. In other words, technological advancement is not independent but is guided by societal needs, progressing to meet the expectations and demands of society’s members.
However, the ‘social constructivist theory’ also has limitations in explaining all technological developments. Some technologies are developed even when society does not actively perceive a need for them, and social demand may emerge afterward. For example, the internet, initially developed for limited research purposes, gradually became essential infrastructure across society over time. The way technology and society interact and develop cannot be simply explained by either ‘technological determinism’ or ‘social constructivism’ alone.
The Interaction Between Technology and Society
In conclusion, technology and society do not exist in a relationship where one completely determines the other; rather, they evolve by mutually influencing each other. Technology is developed to meet societal demands, and this technology is then applied back to society, altering its structure and way of life. This forms a cyclical structure, where societal change demands technological advancement, and the resulting technology drives new societal transformations.
This is precisely why ‘technological determinism’ and ‘social constructivism’ struggle to independently explain technology and society. While technology does influence society, it is humans—members of society—who research and develop that technology. Human desires and needs determine the direction of technological development, and this technology subsequently induces societal change. It is crucial to understand that technology and society are not in a simple relationship where one merely changes the other, but rather in a symbiotic relationship where they interact and develop together.
Within this interaction, technology not only makes people’s lives more convenient but also brings profound changes across diverse areas such as economic structures, jobs, education, and culture. Technology will continue to develop rapidly within our society, and as a result, our lives will also face new changes.
