"Whether it's easier constant access to others through cell phones or email or the ability to do work from anywhere, technology has changed our lives in ways its inventors might not have been able to anticipate. Perhaps because of technology, the lines between work and play have blurred; emails are always waiting for us, and the cell phone can make us instantly available to both friends and colleagues. Many of us prefer this lifestyle while others might find it intrusive. Technological advances often make us think about these divisions and accordingly, how we live our lives and why we do what we do, for better or for worse." Chapter 10 The World is a Text "Why do we put up with the frustrations of everyday objects, with devices that we can't figure out how to use? [...] time and again we are stymied by products that promise to do everything but are construcetd in such a way as to make it impossible to do anything." Donald Norman from his essay, Infruriating by Design: Everyday Things Need Not Wreak Havoc on Our Lives

In groups come up with a definition or definitions of technology, providing examples of technology you have recently used. Try to think beyond the typical ideas of technology and form your own ideas of what technology is and is not. Then discuss problematic relationships you have or have had with a piece of technology. Then discuss an invention or design you find especially useful or helpful. What sets this design a apart from more problematic designs? What are other examples of poorly designed technology? Once you've discussed these issues think about possible reasons why designers of technology are not more responsive to customer use? Consider the following terms: Use: What is this technology for? What does it do? What doesn't it do that it should do? That its designers imply it should do? Need: What human needs does this technology attempt to meet? Does it meet those needs? Whose needs is the technology attempting to meet? Does the technology meet various needs depending on the audiences or viewers? Design: What are the strengths of this piece of technology's design? Its weaknesses? What is artistic about the design? What about navigation? Is it clear or ambiguous? What is the purpose of the design? Unintended Effects: What are some of the unintended effects of this technology? Could the designer have foreseen such effects? Can improvements to the design or function change the effects? Societal Impact: What impact has this piece of technology had on society? What impact will it have? Personal Impact: What impact has this piece of technology had on you? On those you know? Can you see any future impact it may have? Gender: How is the technology gendered? In what ways does it benefit or have consequences for particular genders? How does it bring the genders together? Race: Do you see any ways in which the technology favors a particular race or leaves one behind? What are some issues the use of technology raises in terms of race and access. We'll discuss your group findings as a class.