The journal essay was written for class on "power and change in technological society". At present, I do not hold the same views and will not reach the same conclusions. However, I present the essay in its original form without editing for opinion or structure.

Conclusion

All sources identify controlling, alienating, and limiting elements of technology. For Philip and Nandy modern technologies and for Ursula "prescriptive technologies" express the dark side of technology. The movies "The Net" and "2001: a space odyssey" show that individual is under grave danger when technology gets abused or fails. Postman is clear that the masses are the "losers" of computer technology. Thus, the individual does not just fail to exert power extend by new technologies, rather he is harmed or threatened by it.

All sources recognize "new powers" made available to society; defining society without considering the inequalities. Ursula recognizes the "new products" and "higher standard of living", Kroker points to McLuhan "technological humanism", and Postman points to "increased power of large-scale organizations" and others as well agree that technology does extend new powers to the society. The film "2001: a space odyssey" captures our longing for space exploration, and "The Net" captures the possibilities of computer enhanced life. Thus, one of the premises of the topic that "technology has made enormous new powers available to society" is valid. However, all sources without exception point to the concentration of control of the technology by a small segment of the population. The films, Ursula, Nandy, Philip imply that the control of the technology by a minority makes possible the abuse, and monopolization of technology. For Kroker, and V.Street man-technology relationship reflects that of power relation between man to man. The relation is inherently a flux or push-pull relationship. Taking the inequalities within society into account all sources validate the technological paradox.

Although, engineer is classified as a technophile she/he is merely a tool employed by the financier who truly holds the power. Today's engineer is a specialized narrowed entity, who symbolizes the failure of the individual to exert the power extended by his own creations due to an inherent arrangement of the society.