Ranging from broad inquiries into the roles of economics and sociology in the explanation of technolgical change to an argument for the possibility of "uninventing" nuclear weapons, this selection of Donald MacKenzie's essays provides an introduction to the style and the substance of the sociology of technology. The essays are tied together by their exploration of connections (primarily among technology, society and knowledge) and by their general focus on modern "high" technology. They also share an emphasis on the complexity of technological formation and fixation and on the role of belief (especially self-validating belief) in technological change. Two of the articles won major prizes on their original journal publication, and all but one date from 1991 or later. A substantial new introduction outlines the common themes underlying this body of work and places it in the context of recent debates in technology studies. Two conceptual essays are followed by seven empirical essays focusing on the laser gyroscopes that are central to modern aricraft navigation technology, supercomputers (with a particular emphasis on their use in the design of nuclear weapons), the application of mathematical proof in the design of computer systems, computer-related accidental deaths, and the nature of the knowledge that is needed to design a nuclear bomb.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
" These are stunning essays. MacKenzie's history of supercomputers and inertial navigation systems shatters the economists' belief that technology developed along 'natural trajectories' in the past; his analysis of the importance of tacit knowledge in the development of complex technology, however, also challenges the political scientists' belief that nuclear weapons, once constructed, can never be 'uninvented' in the future." -- Scott D. Sagan, Stanford University & quot; These are stunning essays. MacKenzie's history of supercomputers and inertial navigation systems shatters the economists' belief that technology developed along 'natural trajectories' in the past; his analysis of the importance of tacit knowledge in the development of complex technology, however, also challenges the political scientists' belief that nuclear weapons, once constructed, can never be 'uninvented' in the future.& quot; -- Scott D. Sagan, Stanford University "These are stunning essays. MacKenzie's history of supercomputers and inertial navigation systems shatters the economists' belief that technology developed along 'natural trajectories' in the past; his analysis of the importance of tacit knowledge in the development of complex technology, however, also challenges the political scientists' belief that nuclear weapons, once constructed, can never be 'uninvented' in the future."--Scott D. Sagan, Stanford University
Donald MacKenzie holds a Personal Chair in Sociology at the University of Edinburgh.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
£ 2.82
Within U.S.A.
Seller: HPB-Red, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Acceptable. Connecting readers with great books since 1972. Used textbooks may not include companion materials such as access codes, etc. May have condition issues including wear and notes/highlighting. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_335154808
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.2. Seller Inventory # G0262133156I4N00
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Byrd Books, Austin, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: very good. In Used Condition. Seller Inventory # Ubyused0262133156
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: GoldBooks, Denver, CO, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: very good. Very Good Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # think_very_0262133156
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Zebra Books, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Press review copy - with dust jacket - minimal wear - no marks or damage - VG+/VG+. Seller Inventory # FD816
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: GoldenDragon, Houston, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: very good. Very Good Copy. Fast Shipment. Seller Inventory # SilverDragon0262133156
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Wizard Books, Long Beach, CA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: very good. Used. Seller Inventory # GoodWizard0262133156
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Antiquariat Smock, Freiburg, Germany
Formateinband: Leinen mit Umschlag / gebundene Ausgabe VIII, 338 S. (23,5 cm) Gebundene Ausgabe; 1st Edition; Guter und sauberer Zustand. Sprache: Englisch Gewicht in Gramm: 850 [Stichwörter: Marx and the Machine, Economic and sociological explanations of technological change, From the luminiferous Ether to the Boing, Nuclear Weapons laboratories and the development of Supercomputing, The charismatic engineer, The Fangs of the VIPER, Negotiating arithmetic, constructing proof, Computer relatetd accidental death, Tacit knowledge and the uninvention of nuclear weapons]. Seller Inventory # 72788
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: GoldenWavesOfBooks, Fayetteville, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_0262133156
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Wizard Books, Long Beach, CA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: new. New. Seller Inventory # Wizard0262133156
Quantity: 1 available