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Bezig met laden... Of Bicycles, Bakelites, and Bulbs: Toward a Theory of Sociotechnical Changedoor Wiebe E. Bijker
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This book crystallizes and extends the important work Wiebe Bijker has done in the last decade to found a full-scale theory of sociotechnical change that describes where technologies come from and how societies deal with them. Of Bicycles, Bakelites, and Bulbs integrates detailed case studies with theoretical generalizations and political analyses to offer a fully rounded treatment both of the relations between technology and society and of the issues involved in sociotechnical change. The stories of the the safety bicycle, the first truly synthetic plastic, and the fluorescent light bulb--each a fascinating case study in itself--reflect a cross section of time periods, engineering and scientific disciplines, and economic, social, and political cultures. The bicycle story explores such issues as the role of changing gender relationships in shaping a technology; the Bakelite story examines the ways in which social factors intrude even in cases of seemingly pure chemistry and entrepreneurship; and the fluorescent bulb story offers insights into the ways in which political and economic relationships can affect the form of a technology. Bijker's method is to use these case studies to suggest theoretical concepts that serve as building blocks in a more and more inclusive theory, which is then tested against further case studies. His main concern is to create a basis for science, technology, and social change that uncovers the social roots of technology, making it amenable to democratic politics. Geen bibliotheekbeschrijvingen gevonden. |
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Google Books — Bezig met laden... GenresDewey Decimale Classificatie (DDC)501Natural sciences and mathematics General Science Philosophy and theoryLC-classificatieWaarderingGemiddelde:
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Having said that, I was really impressed by the way that theory is packaged in this book. Bijker keeps switching back and forth between historical narratives and sociological theory, employing the latter in small doses and only when it becomes relevant. For someone like me, his approach made it a lot easier to digest the abstract concepts and understand their application. He also is great at explaining the necessary scientific concepts in a manner that is quick and easy to grasp.
This book is worth reading even if you're just interested in getting some bite-sized chunks of technological history delivered by a responsible historian. I undertook the reading as an unwelcome chore, since I needed some background in constructivist views on technological artifacts in society. It turned out to be great fun to read, and I finished the book with the sense that I learned something important. ( )