There are several theories that provide insightful information regarding social and cultural evolution. According to three theorists, Gerhard Lenski, Leslie White, and Alvin Toffler, information encompasses how society and culture utilize available resources to satisfy human needs and desires. Lenski and Toffler focused on information as a prerequisite for technological advancement while White views were centered on the society’s capacity for harnessing and controlling energy as will be expounded in this literature.
In his famous quote, “the technology is the independent variable, the social system the dependent variable. Social systems are therefore determined by systems of technology; as the latter change, so do the former,” White sums up the aspects of technological advancements and evolution of human in the wider realm of culture (White, Carneiro & Brown, 2016) . As such, he judged the evolution of technology by energy. The social system as the independent variable was in charge of harnessing and controlling energy. Further, he differentiates between the concept of energy between the five stages of human development; people using the energy of their muscles, domestic animals, plants (agricultural revolution), natural resources (coal, oil, and gas), and harnessing nuclear energy. Thus, White’s summations were centered on human development capacity, energy, to advancements in technology.
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Conversely, Lenski takes a more modern approach and focuses on information as the asset that society holds in the realm of technology. The more information and knowledge that the society holds the more advanced it is (Ullberg, 2014) . This explanation resonates in the wider contemporary society. Regions that have the best pool of human resource are in a better position of bettering the society. Just like White, Lenski sums his assertions in the four stages of human development; information is passed by genes, once gained it transgresses through experience, then humans begin using signs and develop logic; consequently, they create signs, symbols, language, and writing. Therefore, advancements in communication are seen through the lens of the progress of the economic and political system, social inequality, distribution of wealth and other spheres of life.
A famous author and contemporary theorist, Alvin Toffler provides insights regarding technological advancements (Ullberg, 2014). Known for his famous quote, “information overload” he suggests that the current era of industry and goods will be overtaken by information and services. Just like Lenski, he values information and data, “a knowledge based economy would eclipse the post- industrial age” (Toffler & Toffler, 2013). Therefore, a society that holds the most amount of information is in a better position of being technologically ahead. In this regard, it is not about the people that cannot read or write but those who cannot utilize the information that they already have. Toffler one profound prediction was the rise of internet and cable television which has greatly changed the world.
Summing up, White, Lenski, and Toffler stipulations provide imperative information regarding the evolution of technology. In essence, their theories communicate on technology stemming from the society’s cultural observations. The society affects how the variables of energy, information, and data flow. As such, they declare technology as the primary factor that drives human civilizations. Regardless, their views are slightly distinct, especially Toffler’s. His view of technology was individual and not socially constructed. In other words, those who could not keep up to speed with technology, either due to insolence or innate backwardness, would be left behind. Although the three theorists provide important input into advancement in technology, Toffler’s view is more insightful. This is because the current era is more of service driven rather than industrial. Thus, his theory holds technology as an all pervasive material which is a superstructure of the contemporary society.
References
Toffler, A., & Toffler, H. (2013). Revolutionary wealth . New York: Knopf.
Ullberg, E. (2014). Trade in ideas . Springer.
White, L., Carneiro, R., & Brown, B. (2016). The evolution of culture . London: Routledge.
