In the earlier post we tried to understand what is learning. We had a glimpse of tribal and agrarian society. This post deals with industrial society. Characteristics of industrial society are usage of coal, petroleum, steam engine and urban dwelling.
The objective of this three-part post is to understand the motives behind the veneration of gadgets (i.e. smart phones) usage, and education that emphasize reading and writing skills.
Genesis of industrial society
Extensive use of coal and steam engine by the society can be regarded as the starting point industrialization. Earlier times steam engines were used to draw water from iron mines. Their efficiency improved and used in locomotives. First successful locomotive using steam engine was devised by James Watt.
Britain was in the forefront in industrial revolution as iron and coal was extensively available. Climate conditions in England helped to start textile industry. People used to spun, and then weave it to make cloth at home. It was a labour intensive task. In a textile factory, conversion of cotton into cloth was carried out with machines with the help of few workers. Textile mills were very productive and were able to produce cloth economically. The machines like spinning jenny, water frame, flying shuttle, spinning mule required huge space to house them. Thus buildings were exclusively built. Thus first time in history mass production of goods was carried out. Till then it was production of goods by masses. (Above statement is an adaptation from Mahatma Gandhi's famous quote “We don't require mass production but production by masses”).
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| A mill engine from Stott Park Bobbin Mill, Cumbria, England. Image source: Wikipedia |
