Science, Technology, and War
This chapter talks about how science and technology shape society and how they connect to broader issues like social change, inequality, and even war and terrorism. Science focuses on explaining and predicting natural and social events, while technology applies those discoveries to everyday problems. Although, new innovations often come with technological dualism, meaning they bring both positive outcomes, like more efficiency and medical advancements, but also negative ones, like job loss or environmental damage. As societies moved from mechanization in manual labor to digital and automated systems, changes sometimes happened faster than that culture could adapt to, leading to culture lag. From a sociological perspective, functionalism sees science, technology, and war as meeting certain societal needs by promoting stability, unity, and problem-solving, even if they can also create dysfunction. Conflict theory argues that these developments mainly benefit powerful groups such as corporations, political leaders, and the military, reinforcing inequality and profit motives rather than serving everyone equally. Meanwhile, symbolic interactionism focuses on the meanings people attach to scientific advancements, war, and terrorism, like patriotic symbols or labeling certain groups as enemies, which shape how society interprets and responds to them. Overall, the chapter shows that science, technology, war, and terrorism are not just technical or political issues, but complex social issues influenced by powerful people, culture, and human perspectives.
Data from the National Center for Veterans Analysis & Statistics shows that economic outcomes for veterans are complex, with many earning higher incomes than non-veterans but still facing poverty risks. For example, VA data reports that about 4.7% of working-age veterans were considered "working poor", meaning they held jobs but still lived at or below the federal poverty line. The VA also reports differences in income across gender, with male veterans earning a median of $49,915 annually while female veterans earned $37,096 for full-time work. Sociologists could use this information to study how military service intersects with economic inequality, especially when examining factors like gender, disability status, or service. This kind of data helps identify which groups of veterans may be more vulnerable to financial problems and supports research on improving policies and resources aimed at reducing poverty among veterans.
One major nonprofit helping address social issues related to the military is The Salvation Army, specifically through its Veterans & Family Center. Their mission is to support veterans and their dependents by offering transitional housing, case management, and access to health, mental health, and addiction services in collaboration with the VA. The program can serve up to 75 people at a time and provides a structured, home-like environment for up to nine months while participants work toward stability and self-sufficiency. They also offer practical support like benefit assistance, budgeting help, job training, and other skill-building resources. Overall, the organization aims to help veterans overcome barriers, regain independence, and transition into permanent housing and stable living situations.
References:
Science, Technology, and War.pdf: 202540-SYG-2010-21Z-40363-Social Problems
The Salvation Army Veterans and Family Center
Caption: Here, this young girl sits quietly while the adults around her stay absorbed in their phones. Her expression says she just wants to feel seen and included. Sometimes the people who need our attention most are right in front of us, so we must live in the moment and engage with our surroundings rather than be trapped in the digital world.
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