Question 1

By the 1950s,most technological innovations were organized along:

Accepted Answer

By the 1950s, most technological innovations were organized along an industrial model, which focused on large-scale production and efficiency. This model emphasized standardization, specialization, and hierarchical management structures, in contrast to earlier craft-based approaches to technology.

Question 2

The idea that contemporary society distributes risk among all categories of the population is associated with which of the following terms?

Accepted Answer

The idea that contemporary society distributes risk among all categories of the population is the main concept behind the term "risk society," which was coined by sociologist Ulrich Beck. It refers to a society that is increasingly preoccupied with identifying and managing risks associated with various aspects of life, including the environment, technology, and healthcare. The other options are either unrelated or do not fully capture this concept.

Question 3

Mass-producing cars,sending a man to the moon,and other technology feats in the 1900s required:

Accepted Answer

Mass-producing cars, sending a man to the moon, and other technology feats in the 1900s required enormous capital investment, detailed attention to the way work is organized, and many technical experts. Therefore, all of these choices are necessary to achieve these feats.

Question 4

Who argued that the United States is the first country in which technology has taken control of culture?

Accepted Answer

Neil Postman argued that the United States is the first country in which technology has taken control of culture. In his book “Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology,” he argues that the United States has become a Technopoly, a society that believes that technology is the solution to all problems and is therefore the dominant force in society.

Question 5

The Russian economist Nikolai Kondratiev noted that technologies are invented in clusters.Moreover,he noted that such flurries of creativity cause major economic growth spurts about ____ years later and have a lasting influence for ____ years.

Accepted Answer

Kondratiev noted that technologies invented in clusters lead to major economic growth spurts about 10-20 years later and have a lasting influence for 25-35 years.

Question 6

Which ideals govern the direction of most technological research and development?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which ideals govern the direction of most...

Question 7

Neil Postman calls a society in which people use technology instead of morality to solve all problems a ____.

Accepted Answer

Neil Postman coined the term "Technopoly" to describe a society in which technology becomes more powerful than traditional morality and values. In a Technopoly, people rely on technology to solve all problems and often fail to consider the moral and social implications of their actions.

Question 8

Large multinational corporations now routinely invest enormous sums in research and development to increase their chance of being the first to bring innovations to market.Therefore,the time lag between new discoveries and technological application:

Accepted Answer

Large multinational corporations investing in research and development are able to shorten the time lag between new discoveries and technological application by being the first to bring innovations to market. Therefore, the time lag is shrinking.

Question 9

In 1997,American research and development spending reached over $200 billion dollars,up from over $74 billion in 1960.During that same period the proportion of research and development spending by government:

Accepted Answer

The question states that the total research and development spending in the US increased from $74 billion in 1960 to over $200 billion in 1997, and asks about the proportion of spending by government during that same period. Option A suggests that the government's share of spending increased from 33% to 65%, which would mean that the government spent more than the total spending in 1997, which is not possible. Option B and D suggest that the government's share of spending stayed approximately the same, but this contradicts the fact that total spending more than doubled during the period. Therefore, the correct answer is option C, which states that the government's share of spending fell from 66% to 33%, which is consistent with the increase in total spending.

Question 10

In a risk society,danger does not result from technological accidents alone.It is also due to increasing:

Accepted Answer

The answer of In a risk society,danger does not result...

Question 11

According to Brym and Lie,access to large research grants,well-paying jobs,expensive state-of-the-art equipment,and the possibility of winning patents and achieving commercial success:

Accepted Answer

Brym and Lie argue that access to resources like research grants, high-paying jobs, and cutting-edge equipment can help to define the kind of research that scientists do. These resources often go to research that has the potential for commercial success or that is seen as more prestigious or innovative. As a result, scientists may be more likely to pursue research that aligns with these goals, rather than purely pursuing their own interests or creativity.

Question 12

After the 1940s,only the government and giant multinational corporations could sponsor most technological innovation because:

Accepted Answer

The cost of sustaining research efforts for technological innovation increased significantly after the 1940s, making it difficult for individual researchers or small companies to finance the process. Only governments and giant multinational corporations had the necessary resources to carry out these expensive research projects. Therefore, option A is the best choice as it highlights the affordability factor.

Question 13

The belief that technology is the major force shaping human society and history is called:

Accepted Answer

Technological determinism is the belief that technology is the primary factor driving human societal and historical developments. It holds that technological progress is the key determinant of social, cultural, and economic changes, rather than human agency or other factors.

Question 14

The United States had fewer than 10,000 research scientists before World War I.Today,it has:

Accepted Answer

According to the National Science Foundation, as of 2018, there were over 1.4 million research scientists in the United States.

Question 15

Thomas Edison was able to create his inventions due to:

Accepted Answer

While Edison was certainly a genius and had a strong personal drive to invent, he was also able to achieve his goals through the help of an expensive team of assistants and engineers. He did not have the support of large corporations like General Electric since he was often at odds with them, and while he did receive some government support later in his career, this was not a major factor in his early success. Therefore, the best answer is E, as it acknowledges both his personal genius and his reliance on team efforts.

Question 16

The idea that the United States is the first country in which technology has taken control of culture is known as:

Accepted Answer

Technopoly, coined by Neil Postman, refers to a society in which technology has become a dominant cultural force, shaping values, beliefs, and habits of individuals. It is not the same as technological determinism, which argues that technology is the ultimate driver of social change, nor is it the same as the matrix syndrome, which is a fictional construct from the movie "The Matrix."

Question 17

According to Ulrich Beck,environmental threats are more widespread,chronic,and ambiguous than technological accidents.This makes environmental threats more:

Accepted Answer

Environmental threats are more widespread, chronic, and ambiguous than technological accidents. This makes them more stressful because they are difficult to predict and manage.

Question 18

The steam engine and the computer did not become major forces in society until:

Accepted Answer

The steam engine and computer became major forces in society when they were coupled with an urgent social need. For example, the steam engine played a significant role in the Industrial Revolution and the computer was essential for the development of the information age.

Question 19

The era of big science and big technology was reached by the time:

Accepted Answer

The dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima marked the beginning of the era of big science and big technology. This event showcased the immense destructive power that science and technology could wield and ushered in an era in which large-scale research projects, government funding for scientific endeavors, and the pursuit of new technological advancements became increasingly prevalent.

Question 20

What ideals govern the direction of most technological research and development?

Accepted Answer

Technological research and development are often driven by both military and profit-making concerns. Military considerations can lead to advancements in technology for defense and warfare, while the pursuit of profit motivates companies to innovate and develop new products and services that can be commercialized.

Quiz 22: Technology and the Global Environment