Is there a device that is associated with your focal thing?

• Due 1/14, 10PM
• Word count: between 250 and 325 words
• The body of the paper should be double-spaced
• Possible points: 275

To write this paper, you need an understanding of these categories in Borgmann: focal thing,
focal practice, and technological device.
Come up with your own example of a focal thing and focal practice (one not mentioned in the
text or lectures). I mean, there are many things and practices that can be categorized as focal
things and practices, which Borgmann does not mention. Choose a thing and practice. Briefly
describe these. Next, explain briefly why these
should be categorized as a focal thing and focal
practice. The following might help with this last task. Consider the focal thing you describe.
Imagine a reader of your paper saying to you that this is not really an example of what
Borgmann calls a focal thing (instead, it’s a device). How do you defend your claim that it is a
focal thing?
Is there a device that is associated with your focal thing? If so, mention it. I mean, in the way
that a furnace (aka “a central heating plant”) (the device) is associated with a fireplace (also
referred to as a hearth, or old stove—the focal thing).
Finally, briefly, by drawing upon Borgmann (or maybe even partly from Wolf) can you say why
engaging with this focal thing and practice is meaningful (or as Borgmann says, that it matters to
us, or is ultimately significant)?
only use the PDFs I gave you for sources !!!

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