Hughes Ch. 1 and 2

Hughes Ch. 1 & 2

What modifications would you make to Hughes’ definition of technology? Additions? Subtractions? Why?

Hughes’s sees technology as a creative process involving human ingenuity (pg. 3). His definition is based on historical interpretations of events and works. Hughes includes technology (machines, windmills) as resources to shape the landscape. He sees the term technology as a somewhat new term that was not frequently used until the twentieth century. Hughes chose to emphasize creativity and control based on his background in history and engineering. Hughes’ definition of technology is as follows:

The craftsman, mechanics, inventors, engineers, designers, and scientists using tools, machines, and knowledge to create and control a human-built world consisting of artifacts and systems associated mostly with the traditional fields of civil, mechanical, electrical, mining, materials, and chemical engineering. Also consider it being used as a tool and as a source of symbols by many architects and artists. (pg. 4)

Hughes also recognizes that technology has marveled and awestruck humans allowing them to exercise godlike powers creative powers (pg. 6)

Personally, I would modify Hughes’ definition to include the application of that language (e.g. alphabet) was technology, I also support this view although I had never explored this notion prior. These advancements were not considered in Hughes’ definition. Hughes definition focuses on the mechanical/machinery aspects as technology. I think his definition also focuses too much on the engineering field perhaps because of his engineering background.

Discuss Hughes’ use of a Judeo-Christian mythos to explain human technology use. Does he give sufficient attention to other cultures?

Hughes uses history to explain human technology. He uses the Judeo-Christian myth of the Garden of Eden as the premise of his argument. Hughes states, “Humans have been engaged in creating a living and working place, a human-built world, ever since their ouster from the Garden of Eden” (pg. 7). He uses the ideology that technology is a gift from God and helps transform the world into a Garden of Eden, which was called “second creation”. Today, technology is not considered in a religious context however this has not always been the case.

Religious beliefs have served as a basis of authority for centuries. It was thought by theologians that Christians had the ability to design tools and machines with the ability to transform the land into a Garden of Eden. Hughes reveals how humans have yearned to transform during the medieval and Renaissance culture. Hughes traces these desires from 45 B.C to the modern time in a historical time line of events and achievements. He discusses how Christian beliefs have structured and guided the developments of technology. The desire for a “second creation” of the Garden fueled the people; the human-built world is not the paradise the original Eden presented.

Hughes closes Ch. 2 with the Genesis belief that all creation was intended to serve human purpose and that God has given humanity dominion over nature. However, he believes that technology should be used to attain an Edenic state.

My thoughts as I read these first few chapters of Hughes were in accord with Hughes. Hughes paid a great deal of attention to America and her history. Explorers used technology in order to reach America and settle the New World. The United States was founded on religious beliefs. Immigrants came in search of religious freedom and a better life. This same desire is reflective of immigrants today. Our founding fathers were religious men with a reverence for God. This is missing from our current political state. Religion is being squelched from public venues from groups like the ACLU.

Hughes questions if the Judeo-Christian belief is responsible for the ill-effects of technology on the environment. I do not feel we can blame the destruction of environments on religious beliefs. I do not feel that forests are cleared, factories built or oil drilled to extol God. This is a desire of man and is used to make life easier and promote progress of humanity.

In my personal opinion, no amount of technology will be able to recreate the Garden of Eden. I have been a Christian for some time and had not pondered or been exposed to the concept of the “second creation”. God created the Garden of Eden, therefore no human or machine will be able to match His work.

I don’t think Hughes recognizes others cultures and their belief of creation. He does not examine the rise of technological development in other cultures. Hughes only briefly mentions other cultures in his writing. I believe other cultures have been influential in advancing technology. Hughes infers that America is the highest and at the forefront of technology. However, in recent years I would presume that China and Japan may have surpassed us in the computer science field.