This document discusses the concepts of technoculture and risk society. It summarizes Ulrich Beck's theory that modern societies have become "risk societies" as modernization introduces new insecurities and risks. Examples of technological risks discussed include computer viruses, terrorist attacks, and cyberstalking. The document reflects on how culture both thrives on and responds to risks created by new technologies. It argues that within technoculture, systems tend to be self-referential and focus on risks and solutions within that system rather than considering outside impacts.

1. Prepared by
Vaidehi Hariyani
Sem-2
Department of English, MKBU

2. TECHNO-
 Technique + word
 Tools, machines, materials
and processes
 Craftsmanship+ reckoning
 Technological
determination or social
construction?
-CULTURE
 Cultivation
 Culture and civilization
 Issues in culture
I. Cultural differences
II. Material culture
(artifacts)
III. Popular cultures
IV. Cultural studies

3.  Ulrich Beck propounded the influential ‘risk theory’ thesis in
“Risk Society:Towards a New Modernity” (1992)
 “A Risk society is a systematic way of dealing with and
insecurities induced and introduced by modernization
itself”- Ulrich Beck
 As soon as risks became real they become disaster.
 Example:- Indian Cricket Batting line up
“Risks are Potential Disasters”
 “First do no harm” is the prudential norm of choice, but it is
impossible to anticipate all possible harms.
 Without the possibility of risk , there is no innovation.

4.  PC
Risk:- ‘Virus’, ‘Illegal operation', 'corruption of hard disk’ and
so on.
Solution:- Contact the help center, download anti-virus,
update your Pc and so on.
 Notice:- Both risk and solution are embedded in the same
system.
 Do you see the use of technology as risky, and that same
technology asks you to buy more perfection to avoid risks?

5.  Weapons of Mass destruction
 9/11 terrorist attack
 Releasing confidential information
 Moral panics about children
 Cyberstalk

6.  reveals the extent that society/culture thrives on
risks, providing information about risk potential,
possible solutions and so on.
 Reflects on the psycho-social impact of
technoculture where cultural responses to new
devices.
 Most systems- social, political and technological are
now self-referential.
 They talk only within the system and rarely to the
‘outside’.

7.  Risk in integral part to technoculture.
 Risk involves the acquisition of newer and
greater amounts of information about what
could possibly go wrong.
 Risk entails resolution on which in turn
creates newer risks.

8.  Oza Brijal
 Jethwa Monali
 JoshiTejasvi