The Effect Technology Has On Society: 3D Gallery

De Gama

The question, “what happens when we try to create an ideal society”, is one that can connect to many categories. An ideal society can be attempted in order to maintain and foster power or to put the blame on other cultures for economic problems. The reasons for wanting to create an ideal society vary but one of the reasons includes technology. “How do advancements in science and technology affect people, the environment and transform societies.” This essential question is very important and transforms many cultures and societies. Technology has been continuously progressing and with new forms of power some societies abuse it. This first piece of artwork is found from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/thisday/may20/da-gama-discovers-sea-route-india/ showing that De Gama on May 20, 1498 Discovers a Sea Route to India. This image also represents all the Spanish conquistadors that traveled to North America. This voyage was made possible by boats and the technology of a compass to maintain a steady route. The Spanish took advantage of technology to explore uncharted territory and to bring riches to their country.

European Conquest

This second piece of art is found from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/307652218264585523/?lp=true , this art is showing the immediate confrontation between the explorers and the natives. The picture clearly shows the difference in cultures. The Spanish are fully dressed with elaborate designs whereas the Natives have on simple pieces of clothing. A point to keep in mind about technology is the idea that the Spaniards and other explorers viewed themselves as superior because of their swords, suits, riches, and boats. The Natives are shown offering gifts as they do not have this aggressive nature the explorers do. This is why new technology contributes to creating an ideal society. The Spaniards believe their own society was much better and ideal compared to the Natives because of their technology.

European Battles

This image found from https://www.sutori.com/story/10-minute-task-the-spanish-conquest-of-the-aztecs-and-incas is showing the effect of the European colonization. A battle is depicted by this image. “Our will is, That you, Christopher Columbus, after discovering and conquering the said Islands and Continent in the said ocean, or any of them, shall be our Admiral of the said Islands and Continent you shall so discover and conquer; and that you be our Admiral, Viceroy, and Governour in them, and that for the future, you may call and stile yourself, ...and as the Admirals of our kingdoms use to do; and that you have power to punish offenders; and you and your Lieutenants exercise the employments of Admiral, Vice-Roy, and Governour, in all things belonging to the said offices” (Privileges and Prerogatives Granted by Their Catholic Majesties to Christopher Columbus : 1492). This quote shows how one of the most famous explorers, Christopher Columbus, was granted the permission to punish offenders. The explorers immediately saw the natives as a threat and as a result punished them and wanted their land.

Martin Luther

This sculpture is found from http://www.richmond.com/martin-luther-th-anniversary-of-the-protestant reformation/article_e566fb10-745d-5865-8338-a3a5a532d2ff.html .The sculpture is of Martin Luther holding the New Testament is on display at the on the market square in Wittenberg, eastern Germany. He was a big figure in the Protestant Reformation. He questioned the authority of the Roman Catholic Church which led to his excommunication in 1521. He believed good deeds did not guaranteed one a spot in Heaven but rather one is gifted this afterlife through simply believing and practicing the faith. Connecting this to modern day thoughts on Heaven, most Catholics now believe that to enter heaven one must repent and believe. A lot of Catholics, in present day, believe what he said is true because in the Bible it says that “Without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Heb. 11:6). Martin Luther also led the way for the Enlightenment and was one of the first to begin questioning society. Technology also has a part in this because he was able to share his beliefs with everyone through his translation of the Bible. He was trying to create his own ideal society where people believed what he taught.

Galileo Telescope

This artifact is found from http://cdn.devicemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/galileo-telescope.jpg . This artifact is Galileo’s telescope. Two of Galileo's first telescopes are in the Institute and Museum of the History of Science, Florence. Galileo was not only a big influencer in the Scientific Revolution but in the Enlightenment era as well. He was trying to accurately find new discoveries of the night sky. “The proposition that the sun is in the center of the world and immovable from its place is absurd, philosophically false, and formally heretical; because it is expressly contrary to Holy Scriptures.” (Documents in the Case of Galileo: Indictment, Sentence and Abjuration of 1633) This quote is showing the treatment Galileo got for questioning prior beliefs about the solar system. He was immediately on trial and a threat to the Church. This is why he had such a big influence in this time period. He led scientists to ask questions themselves and this led to a new era where scientists were creating new technology in order to find new discoveries and not directly attempt to question the Church. This new technology, like the telescope, was creating ideal societies for scientists to work with one another and grow in knowledge.

Mary Wollstonecraft

This image is representing a page of “A Vindication of the Rights of Women” by Mary Wollstonecraft. This excerpt shows a small portion of her beliefs. She believed that girls should be educated and should have a more significant part in society. Her beliefs connect to modern day beliefs. There have been many Women's’ Marches in Washington D.C. for equality these past years. On, March 28, 2018 in Washington D.C. March for Our Lives took place. Although most protesters were fighting for students safety many others also came to support women and the fight for equality. Mary Wollstonecraft was fighting to create an ideal society based on equality, which is still going on today. She used her books, her own form of technology, to appeal to a wide variety of people. She also helped others to right down their own beliefs and speak out about various issues.

Flora Tristan

This excerpt is from The Workers’ Union by Flora Tristan in the chapter “Why I Mention Women”. Tristan also voices her opinions through books much like Wollstonecraft. Both authors use books as a way to try and change their own societies. They target the problems that affect the most people and discuss solutions. Tristan not only talks about Women but also about slaves and abolition. In order to foster this ideal society, slaves would have to be freed and women would have to be given rights.

Friedrich Engels

This excerpt is from Friedrich Engels The Condition of the Working Class written in 1844. He talks about a different issue than both Wollstonecraft and Tristan. He addresses technology and machinery as a whole. He describes how disastrous it can be to a society. He was not pleased with how the Industrial Revolution affected people’s lives as he worked in the cotton mills himself in Manchester. His ideas describe how advancements hurt society as in the environment (ie. pollution, waste, water contamination). Also the poor conditions child workers and others were forced with. This is showing how the ideal industrial society being created in England did not please everyone and the “ideal” society created by this machinery is hurting lives of the Working Class.

"Blood and Iron"

This piece of art is called “Blood and Iron” painted by Charles Ernest Butler. This piece is showing Christ comforting Belgium while the German Kaiser glances coldly on with the angel of death on his shoulder. Ernest Butler is using his own power to show others that Germans are evil and not worthy in Christ’s eyes. He is using propaganda to try and voice his opinion across. His version of an “ideal society” would be Nazi Germany stops invading and manipulating people. I researched Charles Ernest Butler to see if any bias was present in the painting. The UK was one of the countries that waged war on Germany and Butler was born and raised in the UK. For this reason he had bias’ painting. This piece of art relates back to “The Poisonous Mushroom”. Every country had works published that had bias against a race or country. (found on https://www.iwm.org.uk/learning/resources/british-art-of-the-first-world-war )

"Ground Defense"

This image it titled “Ground Defence”. This painting is showing a wounded bomber coming down. The troops are firing at it with their weapons. This one artwork contains many details of technology in World War II. The troops feel helpless enough to fire recklessly in the air. All the new technology, planes and weapons, made this war extremely dangerous for everyone especially soldiers. The new advancements in technology that Hitler was able to make and support (aircraft) lead to him creating bigger and bigger goals. This then lead to him attempting to create his own ideal society by expelling Jews. This image and all the images are showing how advancements in technology affect societies to the point where power is abused to create the idea of someone’s perception on utopia.

Source: Flak an Rhein und Ruhr (Münster: Luftgaukommando VI, 1942).

http://www.bytwerk.com/gpa/naziwarart.htm

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The Effect Technology Has On Society