FREE ESSAY ON TECHNOSCIENCE

TECHNOSCIENCE

The world is changing rapidly. A single technological development can lead to an infinite
number of consequential developments, each of which having varying impacts on humanity.
These impacts, or indicators, display the results of technological development.
Climactic, economic, social, and energy related indicators are important in showing
humanity's use of technoscience, and demonstrate that certain political and economic
changes are needed so that technoscientists can use their knowledge to benefit the great
majority of humanity. 
Climactic indicators are excellent examples of humanity's misuse of technoscience. One
such indicator is global temperature. It displays the results of the burning of fossil
fuels and the release of nitrous oxides into the atmosphere. Production of coal, oil,
natural gas and nuclear power each expanded by 1 percent in 1995 (Brown, 16). Globally,
the ten warmest years out of the last 130 have all occurred in the eighties and nineties
(Brown, 15). These figures demonstrate that humanity is not effectively controlling and
limiting its use of fossil fuels. As a result, acid rain falls upon the earth destroying
what is left of the planet's forests and, an estimated 37 percent of the fish species
that inhabit thelakes and streams of North America are either in jeopardy or extinct. 
A second indicator that displays humanity's misuse of technoscience is the global
economy. Global economic statistics show the results of the applications of
technoscience. In 1995, the global economy grew by an estimated 3.7 percent the largest
gain since the 4.6 percent growth in 1980 (Brown, 74). The use of technoscientific
developments in various fields raised the global output of goods and services. 
Although this was an impressive expansion promoting employment and development, it also
increased the unsustainable demands on the earth's natural systems and resources, such as
the planet's forests. Applications of technoscience have established the need for wood.
The forests that once blanketed more than 40 percent of the earth's land surface now
cover only 27 percent of it (Brown, 19). As a result, soil erodes, and the capacity of
soils and vegetation to absorb and store water is reduced.
Humanity's misuse of technoscience can also be displayed with social indicators.
Eighty-seven million people were added to the population in 1995 (Sachs, 88). The
overwhelming majority were added to countries that were already struggling with the
results of technoscience: depletion of forestry, erosion of soil, and reduction of
aquifers. This added population only increased these countries' problems. 
Population growth is slowing in some country's, but for the wrong reasons. In Russia, the
combination of economic deterioration and environmental pollution has raised death rates,
while a loss of hope in the future has lowered birth rates (Brown, 19). In Zimbabwe,
births still exceed deaths, but by much less than a few years ago because AIDS related
deaths are increasing. Beneficial applications of technoscience could be used in the
above cases to improve social situation by introducing greater population control methods
and by helping to control the AIDS epidemic. 
Energy related indicators shoe the positive effects of technoscientific application.
While the production of coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear power each expanded by 1
percent in 1995, wind electric generation expanded by 33 percent and sales of solar cells
climbed 17 percent (Brown, 5658). The harnessing of wind and solar energy does not create
the environmentally harmful byproducts associated with their fossil fuel and nuclear
counterparts. Humanity's use of renewable energy sources can only decrease environmental
problems. Charles E. Lindblom's procedure of public policy integration is an effective
method by which technoscientists can be assured that their developments will be
thoroughly explored so that humanity will not be hurt by their work.
However, most corporations give strong incentives (bonuses, stock options) to encourage
executives to diligently pursue corporate profitability (Woodhouse, 173). This results in
a rapid, untested decision-making process that yields swift innovation of products and
production techniques that offer short term buyer effectiveness, profits for the seller
and potentially long term negative consequences to a portion of humanity, the environment
or the world. 
Political procedures concerning technological developments must be gradual and deliberate
so that the development's benefits can greatly outweigh the disadvantages. Conflicting
leaders should explore developments so that each can consider the other's views. The
initial policy should be revised in small, reversible steps in response to feedback about
errors, interpretations, and changing perceptions of needs and opportunities (Morone,
168). The net result will be a general benefit to humanity. 
From an economic standpoint, technoscientist's work might yield a greater humanitarian
benefit with the increase in common people's role in the technological decision making
process. Unfortunately, technological developments, no matter how beneficial to society
they might be proven to be, cannot be put into action without governmental and corporate
acceptance, or funds. However, those that are chosen to decide whether it is necessary to
invest in such developments might not be true representations of society. Some in this
hierarchy could be more interested in profit than global well being. This hypothesis
could consequentially have an affect on technoscientists psychologically. Those looking
to better the world might become cautious and skeptical in releasing and promoting their
views and ideas. There is also the possibility that the temptation of money would
override the fundamental principal technoscientists have of improving the world. 
Society should have a greater role at the decision making step. Those who might be
directly affected by technological developments might not be so quick to accept or
decline a development for economic reasons. Technoscientists could then put greater focus
on improving the lives of those who are affected by their developments. In order for the
world to benefit from technoscience, humanity must learn to use it correctly and with
foresight. Current climactic, global economic, social, and energy related indicators show
that the earth is deteriorating from humanity's overall misuse of technoscience. Changes
must be made in political and economic situations related to technoscientific
development. If changes are not made, the decline in global quality of life will proceed
as rapidly as technological development now advances.
Bibliography
Bibliography
1. Brown, Lester R., Vital Signs, c.1996, Worldwatch Institute.
2. Sachs, Aaron, Population Slightly Down, Vital SigInstitute. 
3. Morone, Joseph G., Why the Demise of Nuclear Energy?, c.1989,Yale 
University. 
4. Woodhouse, Edward J., Decision Theory and the Governance of
Technology, 1987ns, c.1996, Worldwatch