The World is Spiky
Tech 63100: Global Perspectives on Emerging Technologies
Spring 2024
Technology and Society
Question: Which technologies have Amish adopted?
Amish Technology
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Contrary to popular opinion, Amish are not fundamentally anti-technology. Instead they value preservation of their cultural identity over the undesirable effects of technology. Their perspective is, "Machinery is not wrong in itself, but if it doesn't help fellowship you shouldn't have it." If they do adopt a technology, they will actively design their own artifacts, policies / regulations, and systems to minimize disruption to their values and community (Wetmore, 2007).
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As an example, ownership of cars are banned because they fundamentally change multiple aspects of Amish day-to-day activity as it makes it easier to run errands outside of the home effectively diminishing the home as the nucleus of the family. However, they cannot ignore the value of quickly covering large distances when situations necessitate it, like medical or financial needs so they do allow the use of cars in these scenarios as long as it is rented and they hire a driver. It is this same cultural importance on family that cell phone usage is becoming more common in Amish communities because it allows them to reach out and connect with loved ones when they want regardless of where they are (Kosaraju, 2014). The Amish approach to understanding the impact of technology and designing policy and systems around the technology to preserve the human condition as it is adapted is one that should be adopted globally.
The Exponential Age
Question: THow is manufacturing driving re-localization of the U.S. economy?
The World is Spiky
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The flows of trade, labor, and information becoming more international has lead to globalization. Expansion of markets and open trade led to an unprecedented increase in wealth around the world. Globalization, in turn, has fostered technologies that are allowing nations to become more independent leading to a return to more localized economies as these technologies mature and become cheaper. This localization diminishes the dependence of rich countries on the commodities provisioned by poor countries creating an even wider chasm between rich and poor countries. It will also lead to greater urbanization as cities have long been an engine for scientific discovery, wealth, and culture. As the city grows, more professional opportunities are generated growing the economy, which is reinvested in the city improving its social outlets and culture making the city more attractive creating another iteration of the growth cycle (Azhar, 2021).
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A technological driver to re-localization is the advancements in manufacturing (Azhar, 2021). Manufacturing accounts for $2.3 trillion in GDP and employs 12 million people supporting hundreds of local economies. Now, leading manufacturers are applying exponential technologies such as additive manufacturing (3D printing), robotics, artificial intelligence, and Internet of Things (IoT) at scale to make manufacturing more sustainable, more digital, more skilled, and more resilient. With these advancements, McKinsey & Company anticipates manufacturing could grow in the U.S., adding up to 1.5 million jobs in the near future. (Carr, Chewning, et al., 2022).
References
Azhar, A. (2021). The Exponential Age. Diversion Books.
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Carr, T., Chewning, E., Doheny, M., Madgavkar, A., Padhi, A., Tingley, A. (2022, Aug 29). Delivering the U.S. manufacturing renaissance. Retrieved Mar 2024 from McKinsey & Company: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/operations/our-insights/delivering-the-us-manufacturing-renaissance.
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Kosaraju, R. (2014). Amish and Technology- Are you Serious. Retrieved Mar 2024 from LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140709153447-14974109-amish-and-technology-are-you-serious.
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Wetmore, J. (2007). Amish Technology: Reinforcing Values and Building Community. In D.G. Johnson, & J. M. Wetmore, Technology and Society: Building our Sociotechnical Future (pp. 55 - 66). Cambridge: The MIT Press.