Final answer:
The story "Autumntime" reflects the complex costs of technology and urban progress, such as technological inequality, positive externalities, and cultural lag. It also examines the tension between private and social benefits and questions whether technology has truly democratized opportunities.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the story "Autumntime," the costs of technology and urban progress are multifaceted and can be both tangible and intangible. As technology evolves, it can lead to significant changes in how societies function and how individuals interact with the world around them.
For instance, advancements in agricultural machinery have led to increased efficiency but also a reduction in the need for manual labor, which in turn has prompted urbanization and lower birth rates due to decreased demand for large families to work the farms. Technological growth has also introduced disparities
However, distinguishing between private benefits, like profits for a company from a new invention, and social benefits, such as reduced pollution, is crucial for understanding the broader impacts of technological advancements. This difference affects investment in technology by private firms and the role of governments in incentivizing research and technological adoption.