Technology vs. culture

From: Wade T.Smith (wade_smith@harvard.edu)
Date: Thu May 18 2000 - 12:32:15 BST

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Subject: Technology vs. culture
Date: Thu, 18 May 2000 07:32:15 -0400
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From: "Wade T.Smith" <wade_smith@harvard.edu>
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    Vincent Campbell made this comment not too long ago --

    >Also, does
    >technology change in relation to culture (e.g. the design of houses
    >according to Fung Shui)?

    As far as I know, there has never been a manufacturing or construction
    technique (aka technology) that has depended or emerged from a belief
    system, i.e. feng shui. So, making feng shui a cause of technology is
    erroneous, (and not just because of my one statement).

    The design of buildings is culturally determined, but the design
    constraints of the materials and overcoming them is technology, and so
    far, AFAIK, only science has found those answers.

    Putting a mirror on a door is not technology....

    - Wade

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