The technology of ammunition
Prompt 1
According to Winner (1980), some artifacts are widely believed to require social structures in which they can operate; others are thought to work well in conjunction with specific systems of power and authority. Some technologies require political properties for them to run and perform their function. Winner states that the political properties occur in two ways, through invention, design, or the arrangement of individual elements becomes a community affair or political technology or items that require social order to operate. Whenever I read Langdon Winner’s book “Do Artifacts, Have Politics,” I develop the technology of ammunition in my mind. Arms used by security officers for war are sophisticated instruments that require knowledge and skilled labor so as they can serve their purpose.
The technology of ammunition is changing every time, and this requires firms to adopt the newest technology to engage their soldiers in advanced training. Just like Winner in his book quotes Jerry Mander that “if you accept nuclear power plants, you also accept techno-scientific industrial-military elite. Without these people in charge, you could not have nuclear power.” Governments wanting to adopt the new technology on ammunition due to advancement in technology with new modern aircraft, bombs, and guns must be ready to subject its military personnel to advanced training. For the training to be a success and so that the issue cannot face resistance from some source, the technological adoption must involve all the personnel.
Proper communication leads to minimal resistance from the people and maintains the social order. Just like politics, where all the stakeholders need to be involved to avoid disruption on the social structure, some artifacts also silently play politics.
References
Winner, L. (1980). Do artifacts have politics? Daedalus, 121-136.
Prompt 2
Constanza-Chock states ten principles of design and justice, design mediates many things in individual’s lives, yet we know less about the design, according to Chock. The people who are adversely affected by the decision design about technologies, community planning, political and economic systems, tend to influence decisions and how they are made. Constanza gives the principle of We design to sustain, heal, and empower our communities, as well as seek liberation from exploitative and oppressive systems (Festival, n.d.). Through sustainability, individuals and communities can depend on themselves without seeking help from external sources. Chock argues that designing people can come up with a plan that will help them sustain their needs.
For every designer to be able to implement his or her plan, they need first to understand the nature of the task or project to be taken to avoid resistance. The process of design helps proper implementation, according to Constanza. Individuals who do not design before carrying out a project are likely to fail in accomplishing the plan. Design justice also helps in liberating communities and individuals from exploitation from the wealthy and the powerful. Chock states that trough designing, we can reach our potential since we will unite for a similar cause. This principle advocates for individuals distancing themselves from those working against their principles (Festival, n.d.). This will help in one working for the right organization with similar values and culture, leading to greatness. Lack of design justice leads to oppressive systems to both communities and individuals.
References
Festival, E. (n.d.). Eyeo 2019 – Sasha Costanza-chock [Video]. Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/354276956