Technological Society?

This may seem like an oblique way to tackle the question of complexity, but I think it will become evident as we pull together the threads of this discussion over the next few posts.

In reviewing the literature on technological development and social systems development I was struck by the consistent reference to the thought that we live in a technological society - and that somehow, we are the first generations to do so. In addition we somehow think that the complex issues we face as a society such as climate change are somehow new and difficult to understand and respond to.

I will return to the question of climate change and the human response to it in a later blog.

For the moment, I would like to address the observation that a technological society is somehow new.  Dare I suggest that there is a certain generational arrogance implicit in this view. It is true that the volume of technological change is unprecedented. However, technological change is not.

Our earliest ancestors began a new phase in the ascent of man when they started to manipulate bone and rock to use them as tools. Since that time we have adapted and developed new tools, new practices for the use of those tools and as a result the ascending ape species known as man increasingly shaped the environment instead of just responding to it.

EcoThought staff regularly use the principles of Enterprise Architecture when seeking to understand and manage complexity. The underlying principles we use  suggests that humans and organisations apply principles and processes to the use of technology to shape or respond to the environment.

The application of process to the use of technology is a consistent part of the rise of the human enterprise.

As an example, the tools depicted above were developed by Cro-Magnon man. A range of simple tools are depicted - they are forms of technology. Each of them were used to perform a task or process which met the needs of the individual and the community. With these tools the cro-magnon communities could begin the processes that would lead ultimately to the formation of larger communities.  What is important to note though is that the application of technology was still a feature of these ancient communities.