september17, 2009 two additional groups will be chosen to present the 9 core technology assignment...

September 17, 2009

Two additional groups will be chosen to present the 9 Core Technology assignment from Tuesday. Be prepared to present in 3 minutes. Presentations should be no longer than 3 minutes.

Be thorough, speak clearly, loudly, and professionally.

Oral Presentations

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POLY ENGINEERINGI1-12

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POLY ENGINEERING

Assessing the impacts of technology requires• An open mind.• The ability to remove attachment (loyalty) to the topic

of investigation.

Some factors inhibiting technological assessment:1. Emotional2. Cultural3. Intellectual4. Environmental5. Perceptual

Assessing Technology

Accepted in groupSubtle influencesBlocking real factsPeer pressure, time constraintPerception differences

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The analysis of technology should be based on facts and research rather than media hype or personal opinion.


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Why Assess Technology?

“The difficulty with comparing past developments in human endeavors to future actions is the lack of the ‘contemplative’ time relative to the process. In the future, we will not have that luxury to consider all the ethical consequences of our actions. So the ultimate ‘safety net’ of the process will be the diversity of the process. We cannot fail to act, in fear of producing something with unknown consequences, because someone else will fill that space with something of equally unknown consequences.........the future will be too fast and unknown and the competitive threshing out of ideas and developments will provide the most legitimate and sound future.” – anonymous

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POLY ENGINEERING

Technology assessment 1. Identify consequences of existing technology2. Think about the possible consequences of future

technology

• Choosing lead oxide as a paint pigment in the 1950s:

– Poisoned thousands of children– Millions of dollars in clean-up expenses

• What will happen to the flow of a river if a new dam is built?

• How will constant electromagnetic waves from cell phones affect the health of human brains?

We Have Issues

Could it have been predicted that the mineral asbestos, a very useful high temperature insulator, causes a form of lung cancer?

How does the Navy’s high voltage electrical communication with submarines affect sea creatures?

What are potential ethical consequences of such technologies as stem cell production and use?

A genetic plant sterilization technology – known as the Terminator gene – that is heralded by scientists as a possible solution to the ecological problem of gene drift is being scorned by many environmentalists.

1. Technology – exponential growth not likely to come to a screeching halt

2. Technology’s rapid growth in past 100 years:1. Added to our longevity2. Increased hazards that had not existed

We Have Issues

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Exponential Growth

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Exponential Growth

1. Leslie Alvin White:“Culture evolves as the amount of energy harnessed per capita per year is increased, or as the efficiency of the instrumental means of putting the energy to work is increased."

2. Ray Kurzweil“An analysis of the history of technology shows that technological change is exponential, contrary to the common-sense 'intuitive linear' view. So we won't experience 100 years of progress in the 21st century—it will be more like 20,000 years of progress (at today's rate).”

We Have Issues

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1. Technology – exponential growth not likely to come to a screeching halt

2. Technology’s rapid growth in past 100 years:1. Added to our longevity2. Increased hazards that had not existed

3. 1960s environmental movement; 1960s and 1970s environmental law:

1. National Environmental Policy Act of 19692. Technology Assessment Act of 19723. Additional regulatory legislation

We Have Issues

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Why does it matter?

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More and more issues will need to be dealt with:1. Human cloning2. World food production3. Genetically engineered babies4. Nuclear power / spent fuel storage5. Human longevity6. Human tracking

These issues will have large impacts…

We Have Issues

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We Have Issues

“Did You Know?” Video 8 minutes

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POLY ENGINEERING

• National Academy of Science was established in 1863

– Looked at scientific impacts, but not equally the social impacts

• Office of Technology Assessment established in 1972

– Followed many protests by groups and individuals converned about the environment and health issues

– Disbanded in 1995 for budgetary reasons.

Assessing Technology – the Past

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• What seem like proper decisions may one day drastically affect 1,000s of people.

• Unhealthy, unsafe, fatal conditions.• Technology Assessment is important, but very

controversial (because of the inhibiting factors):1. Emotional2. Cultural3. Intellectual4. Environmental5. Perceptual


PROS•

Pro/Con Method

Genetic EngineeringCONS

•

Watch out for inhibiting factors:1. Emotional2. Cultural3. Intellectual4. Environmental5. Perceptual

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• Typically, the pro-con exercise includes research.

• Why would research be useful in the exercise?

– The analysis of technology should be based on facts and research rather than media hype or personal opinion.


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• Choose one of the following topics and create a pro-con list. Research may be required.

– Nuclear power– Sport utility vehicles– All-terrain vehicles– High-powered motorcycles– Cosmetic plastic surgery– Manned space flight– Cashless society– Personal watercraft– Stun guns

Classwork / Homework

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