Ideas Why the power of technology relies on an adaptive mindset
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Aug 13, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Jane Freeman, the founding director of the University of Toronto's Graduate Centre for Academic Communication, reflects on the influential ideas of physicist Ursula Franklin. They explore how technology shapes our mindset, society, and politics, emphasizing that it is more than just a tool. Jane dives into the fragmentation of communication in the digital age and the importance of balancing tradition with tech advancements. The conversation also highlights the challenges of authenticity in AI-generated language, urging a reevaluation of rhetorical accountability.
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Technology As A Systemic Mindset
- Ursula Franklin defines technology as a system that includes organization, procedures, symbols, and a mindset.
- This view shows technology shapes society, relationships, and power beyond mere tools.
Two Modes Of Technology
- Franklin distinguishes holistic technologies from prescriptive technologies based on how work is organized.
- This distinction predicts different social and political consequences for workers and communities.
The Potter Who Controls The Process
- Holistic technologies are linked to craft where artisans control a process from start to finish.
- Each outcome is unique and the doer retains judgment and accountability over the work.
