Peking University professor gives lecture at YNU

Professor Qiu Zeqi from Peking University gave a lecture at the Donglu campus of Yunnan University (YNU) Jan 3 on development trends in technology and basic social issues.

Teachers and students from YNU's school of ethnology and sociology attended the lecture, with Professor Li Zhinong, deputy dean of the school, presiding.

Qiu pointed out that research in traditional sociology mainly discusses the close relationship between people, and between people and society, while to some extent ignoring the dynamic mechanisms technology's role in social operation.

Qiu said he thought that research could be conducted on the relationship between people and technology to better understand the development of human society.

According to the relationship between human beings and science and technology, he divided human society into three stages: pre-industrial society, industrial society and digital society.

These three societies correspond to scattering society, blocking society and digital society, Qiu said.

He explained the concept in depth and the relationship between technological change and social development.

Qiu is a well-known sociologist in China, and is currently director of the research center for Chinese society and development at Peking University.