Kinkade Analysis

Essay by mblumCollege, UndergraduateA, October 2014

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Blum

Madison Blum

RWS 200

Professor Kinkade

October 20th, 2013

Technological Advances

Think about the technological advances that have been generated from being a young child until now. How do you think technology changed society and the way society thinks? Edward Tenner an executive editor published a chapter in 1996, "Another Look Back, and a Look Ahead," which argues, while we are advancing in technology we have unintended negative side effects that occur and are referred to as "revenge effects". Tenner reinforces his argument through examples of historical events that people are very familiar with such as: the Titanic, the progress of horses/automobiles, and the unintended side effects from technological advancements. He calls for society to slow down its technological progression because of revenge affects that occur and how it directly affects our nature and how nature bites back. The author writes in an assertive, yet persuasive tone in order to inform society of the rushing of technologies and the causes and effects of technological progress.

Tenner is calling for optimism and for society to retreat from intensity by understanding and acknowledging the technological issues we have before advancing to the next newest technological innovation. Through cause/effects, progress, hidden risks, and vigilance Tenner defines what revenge effects means in relationship to technological progress and how we can situate ourselves to change that and be more vigilant in society.

Tenner strategically uses the cause and effect approach to define and establish a tone of what revenge effects clearly mean. He enlightens his readers with connections to past historical events and overtly explained why he believes these fatalities and accidents occurred. Tenner begins in the section, "Ambiguity Of Disaster", by stating, "One reason for optimism is that disaster is paradoxically creative. It legitimizes and promotes changes in rules-rules that may be...