Social issues in technology are probably more prevalent now than at any other time in history. Researchers are studying the social effects of smartphone use, future issues with artificial intelligence and the ethics of autonomous vehicles. While some commentators dismiss these concerns and favor letting technology march on unabated, other writers treat new tech with a high degree of skepticism and distrust, constantly asking “Is this technology good for this generation, or future ones?”

Writers about technology disagree as to how society affects new technology and design. One of the most prevalent theories of technology and society is determinism, which is often split into technological and social determinism.

Technological determinists believe that technology has a major influence on society, not the other way around. They believe society has little choice as to which technologies evolve, and instead must change the way it works, communicates and behaves to suit the new technologies.

Social determinists believe the opposite: that society and its values drive technological development. They hold that society always has options as to how people use technology, how that technology develops and how it ultimately impacts society.

Japanese Culture and Design

For people in the United States and Europe, Japan’s unique technology and design are an ideal opportunity to examine a social deterministic view of technology.

Japanese toilets, for example, have long fascinated Westerners. More elaborate than standard Western types, these washlet-style devices typically feature a touch control panel, one or more adjustable jets for a bidet effect, heated seats and sound masking features. Washlet design is likely influenced by the value of cleanliness, which is held in high esteem in Japan. The Japanese language reflects this: the word kirei can be defined as pretty, beautiful, orderly, pure or clean. This heightened view of cleanliness resulted in much more elaborate toilet designs, and other products like toilet slippers that seem strange to Westerners.

The prevalence of vending machines in Japan is also influenced by cultural norms. At one machine per 23 people, Japan has the highest density of vending machines in the world. These distribute typical products like soft drinks, coffee, candy and cigarettes, but also fruit, soup, beer, hot dishes, eggs and even umbrellas. There are several cultural phenomena that may have resulted in this trend:

• The cost and scarcity of labor in an aging society with a declining birthrate
• High real estate prices and small dwellings, leaving little space for storing food
• A low crime rate and incidence of break-in or theft
• A predominantly cash-based society
• Longstanding trust in automation and robots

After considering these factors, it’s understandable why Japanese society has more of a need and acceptance for vending machines.

The Social-technology Cycle

The true relationship between society and technology likely exists somewhere in between social and technological determinism. At times, society influences technological development, and that development goes on to influence society.

A hot-food vending machine in Japan. Many Japanese vending machines heat up frozen food and serve it to the customer, partly as a result of Japan's small dwellings and cash-based society. Source: David McKelvey / CC BY 2.0The development of the smartphone is a good example. Two prime values that often drive technological development are efficiency and social good, factored into the smartphone’s development. Developing a computer that fits in a pocket helps a person reach their maximum possible efficiency in obvious ways, and in a situation that previously induced laziness or boredom a smartphone owner could read a book or article to better themselves.

However, smartphone use caused a societal backlash: as more and more people bought and used smartphones, the notion of being turned off or unplugged eroded, increasing stress and anxiety. The devices designed to improve efficiency caused a cultural shift toward the expectation of even greater efficiency, further causing the development of more convenient apps, Bluetooth-enabled vehicles, etc. This relationship is clearly cyclical: society influenced technology, which then influenced society and culture in return.

Taking a broader look at the information age in general provides a powerful example. Round-the-clock cable news, the development of the World Wide Web and personal computing resulted in instantaneous dissemination of information, which revolutionized most aspects of society. This influenced society in profound ways: the intellectually curious gained some advantages, for example. Manufacturers also raced to develop smaller, smarter and faster processors and devices — an example of technology influencing technology. In the United States, at least, this ever-increasing breakneck pace of information may be stressing the human brain and causing an uptick in depression and anxiety disorders. On a more speculative level, some psychologists believe this advancement has robbed humanity of its sense of wonder.

This discussion verges into critical theory, which is distinct from determinism. Critical theory states that both technological and social pressures drive innovation. Moreover, people — who have already been influenced by technology itself, social factors and their own values — provide the main driver of innovation. More powerful members of society exert an influence over technology and how it will be developed, but the technology can also be used by all people who can obtain it, in part to further a better society.

Change is the Only Constant

Technology has evolved for millions of years, and despite the many theories of society and technology this innovation is usually judged to be good. That said, examining and understanding how society impacts technology and vice versa is essential to guiding society in an equally good direction.