http://reagle.org/joseph/blog/social/theories-determinism Joseph Reagle http://reagle.org/joseph/blog/social/theories-determinism Copyright 2003-2010 Joseph Reagle PyBlosxom http://pyblosxom.sourceforge.net/ 1.4.3 01/10/2008 2004-05-13T00:40:18Z http://reagle.org/joseph/blog/2004/05/12/theories-determinism 2004-05-13T00:40:18Z 2004-05-13T00:40:18Z <p>When reading various scholars attempts to engage with the difficult subject of technological determinism, I've collected the following analytical variables with which they contend. I've also attempted to integrate them into a metaphor of a man trying to move a large stone.</p> <dl> <dt>Momentum</dt> <dd>The rock is rolling north</dd> <dt>Intent</dt> <dd>The rock will be used in a wall</dd> <dt>Contingency</dt> <dd>The rock will get stuck in a groove</dd> <dt>Lifecycle</dt> <dd>The rock was placed there by a glacier, is now being rolled, and ...</dd> <dt>Dimensions</dt> <dd>The rock flattens the grass, erodes the soil, leaves a hole but contributes to a wall</dd> <dt>Directness</dt> <dd>The rock tends to the left</dd> <dt>Agency</dt> <dd>The person is a serf without much choice</dd> </dl>