Technomyth

Technomyth is a term used in cultural and media studies to describe a dominant, often rhetorical narrative that equates technological advancement with social progress and human destiny. In technomyth, technology is portrayed as an almost autonomous force capable of solving complex problems, elevating society, and fulfilling moral and existential longings, while social, political, and ethical costs are minimized or deferred.

The concept emerged in scholarly analyses of techno-utopian and technocratic discourse, and is used to critique narratives that frame innovation as inherently good, inevitable, or sufficient to address broad human needs. It draws on ideas from technological determinism, the myth of progress, and the secular sacred of science, while maintaining that technomyth is a constructed story rather than a direct reading of technological developments.

Common features include teleological language (progress is inevitable), heroization of inventors and corporations, appeals to data-driven certainty, and a fantasy of seamless systems such as smart cities or AI era that gloss over social inequalities, governance challenges, or environmental impacts.

Critics argue that technomyth can obscure risk, delay democratic deliberation, justify surveillance or coercive policies, and legitimize unequal distributions of benefits. It can also discourage critical scrutiny of how technologies are designed, funded, and deployed.

Related concepts include techno-utopianism, technological determinism, techno-optimism, and the myth of progress. The term is often invoked in analyses of science communication, policy rhetoric, marketing, and speculative fiction as a lens to dissect how culture narratives shape public perception of technology.