Suixuan

标签：technology

[U.S.] Stephen J. Pyne: “A Brief History of Fire”

History of Science & Scholarship2007.01.27
[U.S.] Stephen J. Pyne: “A Brief History of Fire”
[Mei] Stephen J. Pyne: A Brief History of Fire, translated by Mei Xueqin, Niu Ruihua, Jia Jun, et al., reviewed and edited by Chen Rongxia, Sanlian Bookstore, April 2006 This is a distinctive work of environmental history. Taking “fire” as its theme, the author narrates the history of interactions among fire, nature, and human beings. This book prompts people to rethink the relationship between ecology and humanity. How should human beings treat the environment in order to be “natural”? Whether in the eyes of technocrats or environmentalists, allowing a great fire to rage unchecked through forests and wilderness is by no means a good thing. To the former, it is…
book reading culture technology notes
阅读全文

2007年1月27日
The Globalization of Media Culture

AI & the Future of Technology2006.12.26
The Globalization of Media Culture
Abstract: In this article, the author attempts to argue that in the contemporary world, economy, politics, and culture alike have all become inseparable from (mass) media—that discussions of globalization cannot possibly proceed in depth while ignoring media technology; furthermore, the process of globalization and the expansion of media culture can almost be regarded as one and the same thing. The author holds that the significance of media culture lies in media itself as a kind of culture, rather than in the information that media disseminates. In the main text, the author lists eleven constituent elements or manifestations of culture: modes of communication and exchange; material entities/products; political/social order; entertainment; values;…
culture technology media modernity
阅读全文

2006年12月26日
If you can’t live without it, can’t you rebel against it?

Culture & Public Commentary2006.04.10
If you can’t live without it, can’t you rebel against it?
Many people are very disdainful of the so-called “anti-science cultural figures.” There is a very simple piece of logic: those who are always shouting about opposing science are themselves enjoying technology, using computers to write articles, and in no way can they do without technology—so isn’t opposing technology horribly hypocritical? This logic seems pretty reasonable? In fact, it is ridiculously childish. To use an analogy: we depend on tap water every day, but if there is a problem with water quality, should we not point it out and criticize it? Could a water company use this logic—“You criticize tap water, but can you do without tap water? You’re enjoying our…
culture technology scientism tech ethics
阅读全文

2006年4月10日
Revering Science

History of Science & Scholarship2006.03.14
Revering Science
Besides “reverence for life” and “reverence for nature,” I wonder whether one can also propose a “reverence for technology.” For scientistic thinkers, in their attitude toward technology, “reverence” is in excess while “awe” is lacking. They regard technology as a power belonging to human beings themselves; their “worship of technology” is in fact self-worship, blind confidence in their own power. Their “reverence” does not really include true respect either, because they do not understand genuine humility. And yet they are immersed in worship of the mighty force displayed by technology, ignoring the fact that the stronger something is, the more dangerous it is. For extreme anti-scientific thinkers, by contrast,…
technology science scientism tech ethics
阅读全文

2006年3月14日
[French] Jean Ladrière: “The Challenge of Science and Technology to Culture”

History of Science & Scholarship2006.02.18
[French] Jean Ladrière: “The Challenge of Science and Technology to Culture”
[French] Jean Ladrière: “The Challenge of Science and Technology to Culture,” translated by Lü Naiji, Wang Zhuojun, and Lin Xiaoyu, Commercial Press, November 1997 Page I (Publisher’s Preface) This book was prepared by the philosopher and scientist Jean Ladrière at the invitation of UNESCO, in response to the organization’s “Science, Ethics, Aesthetics” symposium, held in 1974 at its philosophy division in Paris and attended by philosophers and scientists from around the world. Pages 2–3 However, it is becoming increasingly clear that science, as a method for understanding reality, relies primarily not on imagination but on action; this is the meaning of “knowledge is power.” ………… Today, science is no longer…
book reading culture technology science
阅读全文

2006年2月18日