Williams begins by describing how common belief is that a new world, new society, new phase in history, etc, is ‘brought on’ by a new technology. He discusses how we are so used to hearing something along those lines that we often fail to realize a new technologies meaning. He analyses television as a particular cultural technology under 3 main ideas. His three ‘headings’ are: (a) versions of cause and effect in technology and society, (b) the social history of television as a technology, and (c) the social history of the uses of television technology.
In his heading, “versions of cause and effect in technology and society” he discusses how each view “can be seen to depend on the isolation of technology” (293). He argues that, ‘The technology would be seen, that is to say, as being looked for and developed with certain purposes and practices already in mind. At the same time the interpretation would differ from symptomic technology in that these purposes and practices would be seen as direct: as known social needs, purposes and practices to which the technology is not marginal but central.
In, “the social history of television as a technology” he discusses the history of television and it’s development. He talks about how, “In no way is this a history of communications systems creating a new society or new social conditions” (295). A long “history of capital accumulation and working technical improvements created new needs but also new possibilities and the communications systems, down to television, were their intrinsic outcome” (295).
In, “the social history of the uses of television technology “ he discusses the technological development that has led to a wider series of communication.
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