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On Social and Material Aspects of Technological Control

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This commentary on Hugh Lacey's paper emphasises the material aspects of the social structure within which technological control takes place. It is suggested here that when the example of the Green Revolution is examined in detail a clear-cut distinction between material and social constraints/possibilities is misleading. I propose a material analysis of the control situation. This analysis is placed within the material framework of the social structure within which the control system is employed. By widening of the analysis even further it is hoped that the environmental issues of the Green Revolution that concern Vandana Shiva can be addressed. I provide a glimpse of how such an account should proceed.

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Herfel, W.E. On Social and Material Aspects of Technological Control. Science & Education 8, 55–62 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008667212790

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008667212790

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