Tragedy of technology: human liberation versus domination in the late twentieth century

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.