媒介生态学视野中的“技术”

If It's Neutral,It's Not Technology

文章从媒介生态学的视角论证了技术不可能是中性的,因为技术是一种变化形式,而且具有基于其物质和方法之性能的固有偏向(inherent bias)。同时,正如一种技巧、一个说明、一种软件,或者一个诀窍一样,技术的应用是其本身所具有的一种内在属性;此外,技术的固有偏向不可能简单化为设计者的意图,恰如创新总是会出现不可预料的、不必要的、令人不悦的结果那样。

Taking a media ecology perspective,this article argues that technology cannot be neutral because it is a form of change,and has an inherent bias based on the properties of its materials and methods.Additionally,the application of a technology is an intrinsic part of the technology itself,as is technique,instructions,software,or knowhow.Moreover,the bias of technology cannot be reduced to the designer's intent,as innovations always have unanticipated,unwanted,undesirable effects.