Tragedy of technology: human liberation versus domination in the late twentieth century
- London Pluto Press 1988
- 294p.
How far has technology taken control of our lives? Does it benefit us or bring in its wake untold misery? By placing technology as a cultural phenomenon at the centre rather than at the margins of sociological theory, The Tragedy of Technology examines the cultural origins of technology's apparent dominance over contemporary society. Professor Hill's unique study demon- strates that throughout history - from the Ancient Greeks to the present day - there has always been an alignment between the cul- tural properties of technology and the wider culture of the society in which it is housed. Rather than being a misfortune, he sees the tragedy in the classical Greek sense as the 'remorseless working of things'. A key text for students and scholars of sociology, history, industrial studies and Third World development, The Tragedy of Technology questions our values: the book creates an opportunity for us to explore the processes by which these values are consti- tuted and decide on how they can be changed. The author takes the reader to the very edge of present theoretical dogma, and says think again.