Great question. The question says, "In using the phrase “technological determinism†(line 35), the author refers to the idea that..."
(A) says, "technology is exchanged in ways that appear to be predestined"
The problem with (A) is that Ginsburg is not discussing in the third paragraph how technology is exchanged or how it ends up in the possession of indigenous people. Thus, she is not referring to how technological exchange appears to be predestined when she is using the phrase "technological determinism." As a result, we can get rid of (A).
(E) says, "cultures are shaped in fundamental ways by the technologies they use"
In the third paragraph, the focus is on Ginsburg's critique of Weiner's position. Ginsburg is arguing that Weiner's stance is "little more than boilerplate technological determinism" (line 35) when Weiner contends that using a video camera makes one unwittingly Western. From this, we know that when the author uses the phrase "technological determinism," she is referring to the fact that Weiner believes that using a camera alone is sufficient to turn indigenous cultures into Western ones. This leads us to (E), which states that the term in question is referring to how cultures are shaped in fundamental ways by the technologies they use. This is precisely what Ginsburg is criticizing Weiner for thinking, so (E) is the correct choice.
Does this make sense? Let us know if you have any more questions!
Jeremyon April 26, 2019
Yes, thanks!
Ravion April 27, 2019
@JeremyG, happy it helped!
on October 21, 2020
Why not C? I thought C also explained how technology turned indigenous cultures into
Western ones
on March 28, 2021
Hello why not C? If someone can please explain thank you
