Meaning in Technology, A. Pacey Chapter Three

Is music the origin of technological virtuosity, or as Pursell argues, is the development of language in prehistoric culture responsible for exaptation in tool use?

A Roman musical instrument: the calliope, forerunner of the organ, from 228 BCE.

What does he mean by?

Pneumatic tires

“the social meaning of the pneumatic tire was redefined in terms of speed rather than reliability, and that made it acceptable even to the boldest of sporting riders.”

Meaning in Technology, p. 84.

Symbolism of various kinds--bullet shapes, gloss white finishes, push button controls, or computerized complexity-- can be taken so far that artifacts may imply meanings without their functions being understood.”

p. 86

Jeep
“Then in the twentieth century, technology appears to have taken over as the principal symbol of national destiny”

p. 87

French Jeep from the Second World War, 1939-1945.

Los Angeles River as a model of control exerted to subdue nature, harness electricity and organize elemental forces.

Meaning in Technology, 2001		Arnold Pacey
Table of contents	cover	Author

1. Music, Sources of Technology

2. Visual Thinking

3. Meaning in the Hands

4. Social Meanings

5. The Sense of Place

6. Exploration, Invention and the Remaking of Nature

7. Gender and Creativity

8. Knowledge Pregnant with Evil

9. People Centered Technology

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Tulips as tools?

Tools of Toil: what to read.

Tools are historical building blocks of technology.

Technology can be understood if tools have three facets.

Tools used in both Music and Architecture led to mechanization and automation.

Tools and the study of technology require us to reflect on the power of instruments,

Technology home

Pursell | Pacey–World | Postman | Tenner |Pacey–meaning| Eberhart | Snow | Kaku

Description

Week One: the story of Thamus

Week Two: Pursell question and the story of Prometheus