Final answer:
The question examines the impact of technology on society and which applications are not examples of distributed computing. Distributed computing involves multiple computers working together, while standalone applications like word processors do not fit this category and therefore, do not serve as examples of distributed computing as a catalyst for social change.
Step-by-step explanation:
Given the context, it seems that the question isn't directly asking about distributed computing, but rather exploring the impact of technology on society as part of a sociology course. To address the question about which applications are not examples of distributed computing, it's essential to understand what distributed computing is. Distributed computing involves a collection of separate, possibly geographically dispersed, computers that work together to perform a task or solve a problem. Examples may include cloud computing services, blockchain technology, or large-scale simulations run on supercomputers. Conversely, an example of a technology that isn't distributed computing might be a standalone desktop application that operates entirely on a user's computer without relying on networked systems. In terms of technology as an agent of social change, one might consider standalone softwares such as traditional word processors, video games, or even basic standalone utilities like calculators that, while influential, do not use the distributed computing model.