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Introduction:
What is techno-panic? “It’s the same old devil with a new face.” Rev. George Bender, Harry Potter book burner
“Techno-panic” is simply a moral panic that centers around societal fears about a specific contemporary technology (or a technological activity) instead of merely the content flowing over that technology or medium.
For decades, psychologists have been concerned with how a change or an improvement in technology can affect people’s health and well-being. It started from the beginning of time and specifically looking at 1930’a, they observed the effects of listening to the radio and later they weighed the effects of television in the 1960s.
People did panic when the change occurred with the technology involved in communication alone. Technology has evolved in many different ways including machinery, fashion, food, lifestyle, etc.
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Techno-Panic at the beginning of literacy:
This issue was raised in the 16th century by Mr. Conrad Gessner and had described how the modern world would overwhelm people with the flood of information unleashed by the printing press.
Conrad Gessner, has been the first to raise the alarm about the effects of information overload. In a landmark book, he described how the modern world overwhelmed people with data and that this overabundance was both “confusing and harmful” to the mind.
These concerns stretch back to the birth of literacy itself. In parallel with modern concerns about children’s overuse of technology, Socrates had warned against writing because it would “create forgetfulness in the learner’s souls because they will not use their memory.”
These concerns stretch back to the birth of literacy itself. In parallel with modern concerns about children’s overuse of technology, Socrates had warned against writing because it would “create forgetfulness in the learner’s souls because they will not use their memory.”
He also advised that children would have difficulty in distinguishing between fantasy and reality, so parents should only allow them to hear wholesome allegories and not “improper” tales. Similar concerns arose in the 18th century when newspapers became more common.
The French statesman, Malherbe’s railed against the fashion for getting news from the printed page, arguing that it socially isolated readers and detracted from the spiritually uplifting group practice of getting news from the pulpit.
A hundred years later, as literacy became essential and schools were widely introduced, many people and researchers turned against education for being unnatural and a risk to mental health. They considered excessive studying of multiple subjects was a leading cause of madness and would make young people ill.
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| Image Credits - history |
Fear for a telephone:
In 1933, the New Yorker recalled what it had been like when telephones were first for sale: "People admitted that telephones were ingenious contraptions and wondered just how they worked, but they no more thought of getting one of their own than the average man now thinks of getting an airplane.
As a matter of fact, for a long time, they were of little use in a home. Since almost nobody had them but brokers, there was no one to talk to.”
It was at this time, 1876–1877, that a contemporary invention called the telephone emerged. Alexander Graham Bell is often credited with being the inventor of the telephone since he was awarded the first successful patent.
It was at this time, 1876–1877, that a contemporary invention called the telephone emerged. Alexander Graham Bell is often credited with being the inventor of the telephone since he was awarded the first successful patent.
There was something magical about sounds coming from a thin wire, and many people were afraid that the contents of the lines would spill out in some way if there was a break. The telephone was initially often viewed with skepticism and fear so much so that it was labeled as the instrument of the devil by the churches in the 19th century.
The greatest fear was that the telephone was in some way able to attract evil spirits or some disease. They would also be paranoid about receiving calls or even touching the device during rainy seasons as they were worried about catching electric shocks.
Also, texting isn’t the first new technology that would impair social skills. The telephone was feared to kill face-to-face social interaction. However, it has only enabled increased connectivity between distant friends and family. It is truly amazing to see the techno-panic in people have evolved over time. Although, it’s an advanced version, the mobile phone is under scrutiny for a while now.
The Paranoia of comic books:
Around 60 years ago, comic books became a threat, causing a panic that culminated in a Senate hearing in 1954. People feared that children would grow into hardened criminals, and so opponents burned them in large piles, states banned them, and the U.S. Senate investigated their dangers.
Also, texting isn’t the first new technology that would impair social skills. The telephone was feared to kill face-to-face social interaction. However, it has only enabled increased connectivity between distant friends and family. It is truly amazing to see the techno-panic in people have evolved over time. Although, it’s an advanced version, the mobile phone is under scrutiny for a while now.
The Paranoia of comic books:
Around 60 years ago, comic books became a threat, causing a panic that culminated in a Senate hearing in 1954. People feared that children would grow into hardened criminals, and so opponents burned them in large piles, states banned them, and the U.S. Senate investigated their dangers.
What adults thought was best for children ended up censoring and dissolving years of progress and artistry, as well as comics that challenged American views on gender and race. But later things took a turn In 1938, Action Comics No. 1, the issue that brought Superman and superheroes into our lives. From 1938 to 1950 — period historians refer to as comics' Golden Age.
The beauty of pre-code comics was that they told innumerable different stories featuring different people, like those women who were lowering the boom on Nazis or black detective Ace Harlem in All-Negro Comics.
The beauty of pre-code comics was that they told innumerable different stories featuring different people, like those women who were lowering the boom on Nazis or black detective Ace Harlem in All-Negro Comics.
All of the other genres that weren't superheroes were tend to fall away in the years following the code. But even superheroes got repetitive. Comic scripts at the time usually consisted of a goofy villain launching some dastardly plot before eventually getting caught by a superhero.
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| Image Credits - leagueofcomicgeeks |
Conclusion:
Well, techno-panic had come into existence since the time of technological improvement around the world. We did panic even when we found a spark could turn into fire and burn down the entire forest! It all comes down to how we use particular energy in moderation and direct it in the right way.
Well, techno-panic had come into existence since the time of technological improvement around the world. We did panic even when we found a spark could turn into fire and burn down the entire forest! It all comes down to how we use particular energy in moderation and direct it in the right way.
Written By - Amulya Sriharsha
Edited By - Daniel Deepak Charles
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