Previous posts have offered theories for how technologies come to be and develop over time. We've discussed, for example, Winston's model and we've discussed the Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations. We now turn to our last theory -- technological evolution.
This theory is based on the biological theory of evolution. One of the best explanations of biological evolution and the mechanism that drives evolution is found in Carl Sagan's Cosmos video series which was based on the book Cosmos
. In the following video Sagan describes the process of artificial selection. As you are watching this clip from Cosmos, be sure to identify and be able to explain the mechanism that drives evolution. Does this mechanism explain technological evolution? Do technologies evolve?Now take those basic ideas of biological evolution and see how they apply to technological evolution. What do Kelly and Blackmore add to this theoretical perspective?
First, "Kevin Kelly on how technology evolves"
(You may want to start the Kelly video at about 8:20.)
Second, "Susan Blackmore on memes and 'temes'"
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