A technological revolution is a period in which interconnected technological innovations produce widespread, fundamental changes in how people and communities live, work, communicate, or exercise power. In IB Digital Society, this is examined through change, particularly whether change represents continuity or discontinuity with established practices.
This topic is shared by SL and HL students. The syllabus does not prescribe "technological revolution" as a separate technical term; instead, concept 2.1 asks students to investigate change as evolution, transformation, adaptation, or movement between states.
| Type of change | Main characteristic | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Evolution | Gradual development that retains significant continuity with earlier practices | Successive mobile phones gaining better cameras and faster processors |
| Transformation | Fundamental change that creates substantial discontinuity with earlier practices | Smartphones combining communication, navigation, media, payments, and internet access |
| Technological revolution | Multiple transformations spreading across society and reshaping connected institutions and systems | Digitalization changing business, education, government, and social relationships |
A technological invention alone does not create a revolution. The change becomes revolutionary when technologies are adopted widely, interact with social and economic systems, and generate major intended and unintended consequences.
Consider Apple's 2007 iPhone. System: It combined mobile computing, internet connectivity, software applications, and a touchscreen interface. Example specifics: The iPhone and later app ecosystem helped make smartphones widely used platforms rather than devices mainly for calls and messages. Impacts and implications: Users gained mobile access to services and information, while businesses and workers became increasingly dependent on platform companies; future risks include surveillance, unequal access, and concentrated corporate power. Concepts: This example demonstrates transformation, changing power relationships, and interconnected systems.
A common misconception is that every new device begins a technological revolution. Novelty is insufficient; students must demonstrate the scale, depth, and systemic consequences of the change.
In an IB response, explain whether the development shows evolution or transformation, identify continuity and discontinuity, and support the judgment with a specific real-world example. For discuss or evaluate, include competing stakeholder perspectives before reaching a supported conclusion.
