Final answer:
The assertion that technological advances without corresponding social progress necessarily increase human misery is false, as technological advances can have both positive and negative social impacts. It is the integration of technology into society and the handling of its potential to create inequalities, represented by the 'digital divide', that shapes its effects on human well-being.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'If there is a technological advance without social advance, there is almost automatically an increase in human misery.' can be seen as false because the relationship between technological advancement and human misery is not automatic or one-dimensional. Technological advances can indeed lead to social changes, both positive and negative, and it is the manner in which these technologies are integrated into society that determines their impact on human well-being.
For example, the market revolution greatly transformed the social and economic landscape of the United States, which was a complex mix of both benefits, like increased efficiency and productivity, and drawbacks, such as increased social inequality and environmental impacts. Therefore, while there is a potential for technology to exacerbate inequalities and other social issues if not accompanied by social progress, it does not 'automatically' lead to increased human misery.
It is also important to consider access to technology. In some instances, the 'digital divide' between those who can afford and access new technologies and those who cannot contribute to social inequalities. The key lies in ensuring equitable access and adapting social policies to manage and mediate the impacts of technological advances.