Post examples of how technology may take on the dimension of being a statement a
ID: 420048 • Letter: P
Question
Post examples of how technology may take on the dimension of being a statement about our values, intentions, and self conception in time. It’s by noticing the "INTENTIONS" around a tool that we fully identify our plans, projects and strategies...some of which only become clear as time passes. In this sense technology can be considered a language all its own which gives unique access into our own intentions and self understanding. Practice reading technology as a code of intentions. Any examples, from the "wraith" (animal double) for technology (such as Falcons, Eagles, Cougars, and other animal names for cars), to mythic reference in cultural projects (such as Apollo, etc. for NASA space programs), to the naming of appliances, guns, computer equipment, and other tools and technologies are welcomed and should prove interesting. The idea of "intent" will pop up throughout the course, and it's subtle at times. It's especially hard to see alternatives to our primary intent since we focus attention in that direction. It's often others with different priorities or viewpoints who discern alternative implications of technology.
Explanation / Answer
The examples of our intentions and self understanding giving the technology a direction are given below.
(a) A fast train connecting the cities mentioned in the Indian epic " Ramayana" is named after the celebrated mythological aircraft, "Pushpak"
(b) The fastest motorbike from Suzuki is called " Hayabusa"- the eagle, due to its agility, power and swiftness.
(c) A Korean SUV called "Tucson" - the bull owing to its sheer power and agression.
(d) An Indian supercomputer is called Param - The greatest, owing to its enormous computing capabilities.
(e) The combat missiles produced by Pakistan are named after the invaders from the central asia, that devastated Indian subcontinent in medieval times, Gauri, Ghaznavi etc.
(f) Impala - a chevrolet vehicle named after an African antelope due to its agility and swiftness.
(g) Palang- Tod ( the bed breaker) is an Indian sweetmeat named owing to its hard texture.
(h) A leading travel luggage manufacturer names its product after great cities of the world - Auckland, Sydney, Berlin etc.