Technologies aren't neutral, they're political: The notion was first proposed by Langdon Winner in 1980. By 'political', Winner refers to how power is arranged and distributed. And when he says 'technology', he doesn't just mean smartphones and laptops - he means anything created through applied knowledge, like railroads and genetically modified seeds.

Real-World Example: Think of how social media algorithms decide what you see, thereby influencing what you think and feel. This power to shape perspectives and preferences is a kind of politics.

Technological artifacts can reflect and reinforce politics: Politics can be embedded into a technology either implicitly or explicitly by the creators or users.

Real-World Example: Robert Moses built around 200 overpasses in Long Island that were deliberately too low for public buses, making it harder for low-income groups who rely on public transportation to reach certain areas of the city. This is an example of how technology (the overpasses) reflected the biases of its creator (Robert Moses).

The politics of technology can shape societal order and everyday life: The decisions made when creating and implementing technology can establish patterns of power that persist for generations.

Real-World Example: Consider the Internet. Its creation has empowered individuals and organizations worldwide, but it has also entrenched certain power imbalances. For instance, those with better Internet access have a greater capacity to access knowledge, communicate, and conduct business.

Technologies are akin to acts of law-making: Winner suggests that we should pay as much attention to how new technologies are introduced as we do to laws, because both can have profound impacts on the distribution of power.

Physical objects can subtly influence behaviour: This applies to everything from the arrangement of a room to the design of park benches.

Real-World Example: Ever seen park benches with extra armrests or awkward dividers? These are often deliberately designed to discourage people (particularly the homeless) from lying down and sleeping on them - a clear instance of politics embedded in physical design.

The 'technological deck' can be stacked: Winner suggests that technological development can be skewed to favour certain social interests. This means that even without direct intent to cause harm, the way technologies are developed can still create winners and losers.

Real-World Example: Consider gentrification. Often, new infrastructures like high-end coffee shops, bike lanes, or tech company headquarters can lead to the displacement of lower-income residents, who can no longer afford the increased living costs.

Identify technology favouring certain groups: Reflect on the technologies or infrastructures you've encountered that appear to privilege certain groups over others.

Real-World Example: Maybe you've noticed that wealthier school districts tend to have better technology resources, giving students in those districts an advantage over others.

Recognizing when human politics conform to technological politics: Think about how to identify when human behaviour and societal structures are being shaped by the politics of technology.

Real-World Example: Notice how you're communicating now. Has technology like texting or social media changed how we interact with each other?

These notes should serve as a starting point for your exploration of how technology influences society, and vice versa. Remember that technology and politics are complex and intertwined. As you read and learn more, always question who benefits from a particular technology, who loses out, and why. It's through this analysis that we can better understand the world we live in, and hopefully, work towards a fairer future.