Journal VII: Technology in American society
Many believe that Eli Whitney’s cotton gin can be blamed for the extension of slavery in America. In this case, how did the growth of technology have an effect on American culture, and do you see the same thing happening in today’s society? Minimum of 200 words
Journal VII: Technology in American society
The cotton gin by Eli Whitney is blamed for slavery extension in America. It is true that the cotton gin diminished the labor needed to remove the seeds, but it did not lessen the need for slaves for growing and picking cotton (Wren & Greenwood, 1999). Instead of reducing the need for slaves, it increased it. The profitability of growing cotton increased and thus raised the demand for land and slave labor. The plantations become expanded and become larger, and now slavery increased to offer slave labor to these plantations (Wren & Greenwood, 1999). Therefore, from Eli Whitney’s cotton gin, technology has both positive and negative consequences on the American culture. Technology has changed the everyday life aspect, and the new digital approaches are having a significant impact on American society. For example, technology powered the industrial revolution creating industrial American society, mass automobile productions created a culture of vacationers and commuters, televisions created a Hollywood culture, and the internet is rapidly creating a new culture. As much as these technologies have benefited American society, they have also created problems. The same problem that Eli Whitney’s cotton gin created is occurring in today’s society in which technology produces unintended consequences.
Reference
Wren, D. A., & Greenwood, R. G. (1999). Business leaders: A historical sketch of Eli Whitney. Journal of Leadership Studies, 6(1-2), 128-132.
I notice that a lot of people are using the advent of the cell phone to talk about modern technology.
Don’t. It’s not a good one. In over two years of answering this question, I have literally yet to see a single answer featuring the cell phone that makes the point.
Yes, people are not talking to each other at the dinner table. They are, instead, communicating with other people–but they are still communicating. Yes, people are spending a lot of money on it for younger people, but so what? Substitute that for “record player,” “CD player,” “hair dryer” and it’s the same story of young people wanting new gadgets to make their lives easier or more interesting. Also, when I read this, I always hear it in the voice of my Great Aunt Ruth, who was ninety-eight and mean. I keep waiting for someone to say “new-fangled” and “in my day.” Don’t be my Great Aunt Ruth.