Critical Theory and Technology (Readings)

I have 3 readings associated with this topic.

The first is an entry in The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy entitled "The Frankfurt School and Critical Theory" by Claudio Corradetti. This reading addresses the history and some of the key beliefs associated with critical theory. Most of it got to be a little much for me, but I sort of viewed as a philosophy for social critique and understandings of the working of the mind. It is a good background for heading into the topic, though some of the information was very heavy.

The second is titled "Critical Theory, Cultural Analysis, and the Ethics of Educational Technology as Social Responsibility". It is by Andrew R. J. Yeaman, J. Randall Koetting, and Randall G. Nichols. It is an article from the journal Educational Technology. This reading talked about the different theories that should be taken into consideration regarding educational technology. A good point is made when they state that advancement is not a bad thing, but it should have some amount of ethical consideration into it. There are a lot of ethical considerations to educational technology that I have never even thought of. Critical theory raises many of those important questions.

The third and final reading is called "The Promise of Civilizational Change". It is the 7th chapter of Andrew Feenberg's Critical Theory of Technology. This chapter discusses some tenets of socialism as a mechanism for cultural change. It also discusses what socialism has to say about a number of topics. It is interesting that this has many of the same ideas put forward in the other articles. I knew that there was a basis in Marxist principles, but I never really connected critical theory to socialism.

Discussion Questions:

1. Discuss the video shown in class from a critical theory perspective.
I almost feel that there is something in critical theory in this that already is pretty apparent. One of the general messages put forth is that life is simpler and better without technology and that technology only makes our lives more complicated. That is a pretty extreme statement, but it has a critical theory type of ring. That if it causes so many problems, why have it in the first place?

2. Generate 2 questions to discuss in class.
Why is it important that critical theory be applied in thought about educational technology?
Do you agree with the various ideas put forward as critical theory? Why or why not?