Chapter 8: Invisible Technologies

In Chapter 8, Postman once again surprised me by making me realize something as simple as the number zero could be classified as a technique or technology. And it is also surprising the amount of importance the number zero has on our daily lives. We use the number zero for everything, statistics, polling, IQ tests, percentages, calculating grades in school, award scholarships, entrance exams for colleges, beauty pageants, but we have become accustom to assigning a number value to everything. Numbers are also used as the basis in technology; they have their own set of rules and procedures to regulate their behavior and performance. Numbers are technology disguised as techniques. So, how do we teach our students t use technology and not let is consume their lives?