I have been known to remark over the years how each decade, starting from the 1950s had its own distinct style, culture, and music that seemed to change dramatically with the times (since as a millennial, that is really where my knowledge on this topic begins). Yet, from the late '90s onwards, these shifts appeared to plateau. The way we dress, the music we listen to—it all seems to have stagnated somewhat since the turn of the millennium. I've pondered whether the internet might be responsible for this blending of cultural identities. But, upon reflection, there's more to it than just homogenization.
My friend Derrick offered an insightful counterargument: technology has indeed transformed our society significantly and we are perhaps more different today, culturally, than we were in the 90s/early 2000s; perhaps ever. This reflection came back to light with me when I found myself led down a rabbit hole of culture and technology for my class on games and culture, prompting me to realize both Derrick and I were only skimming the surface of a much larger phenomenon.
Enter Technological Determinism, a theory in sociology proposing that technology is the main driver shaping societal development and human behavior. It posits that technological innovations dictate the way we live, work, and interact, primarily because of the technology itself, not necessarily our choices around its use. For example, the advent of smartphones fundamentally altered our communication and information-gathering habits, a change propelled by the technology rather than individual preferences.
This theory further suggests that technology inherently follows a path of efficiency while simultaneously molding social structures and cultural norms. By social structure, we mean the organization and relationships within a society, which can evolve with technological progress. Cultural values, on the other hand, encompass what a society deems important and how it expresses these principles. Technological Determinism argues that technology doesn't just influence our tools but also what we value and how we express those values.
This concept illuminates the significant yet subtle cultural shifts primarily influenced by technology, rather than changes in fashion or music. Today, we have generations for whom YouTubers like MatPat from Game Theory form an integral part of their childhood memories. There are young adults now who've never known a world without YouTube. Technology has even effected some of the slangs we use over the past 20 years. Terms like "LOL, or "meme", or "troll" are often spoken aloud as part of the lingo we use in our daily conversation. Terms such as "cyberbullying" are serious and understood topics of conversation among the general public, policymakers, and academics alike. This is technology effecting and changing culture.
The impact of technology and the internet on our culture is profound, rivaling the cultural milestones of past decades, such as the hippies of the '60s, the punk rock and glam metal of the '80s, or the grunge scene of the early '90s. The slang and terms we use today are direct results of Technological Determinism's influence on our culture. Observing this theory in action, especially when comparing pre- and post-internet eras, offers fascinating insights into how technology defines our times.
Testing/researching all of this would make for a very enjoyable dissertation if I was a sociology major. The 90's is truly unique and the big bang of where my thoughts begin on this concept. The 90s is almost like two separate decades in one. The 90s before Windows 95 and the adoption of the internet, and the 90's after. The 90's before is basically the 80s plus, but the 90's after really has an entirely new identity, and that is when the tech boom of the 90's was at it's zenith. By 1995, computers had made astonishing advancements, in some cases even being hundreds of times faster than those manufactured just four years prior. Throughout the 80s and early 90s, possessing one megabyte of RAM was deemed substantial. However, by the time Windows 95 arrived, a minimum of 4 megabytes of RAM was essential for operation, not to mention the significant boost in CPU power. The rapid pace of technological progress during this brief period was truly remarkable.
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Culture Theory