September17, 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 IOT POLY ENGINEERING I1-12

IOT 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.Emotional 2.Cultural 3.Intellectual 4.Environmental 5.Perceptual Assessing Technology Accepted in group Subtle influences Blocking real facts Peer pressure, time constraint Perception differences

IOT POLY ENGINEERING I1-8 The analysis of technology should be based on facts and research rather than media hype or personal opinion. Assessing Technology

IOT POLY ENGINEERING 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

IOT POLY ENGINEERING Technology assessment 1.Identify consequences of existing technology 2.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 longevity 2.Increased hazards that had not existed We Have Issues IOT POLY ENGINEERING I1-12

Exponential Growth IOT POLY ENGINEERING I1-12

IOT POLY ENGINEERING I1-12 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 IOT POLY ENGINEERING I1-12

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 longevity 2.Increased hazards that had not existed s environmental movement; 1960s and 1970s environmental law: 1.National Environmental Policy Act of Technology Assessment Act of Additional regulatory legislation We Have Issues IOT POLY ENGINEERING I1-12 Why does it matter?

IOT POLY ENGINEERING I1-8 More and more issues will need to be dealt with: 1.Human cloning 2.World food production 3.Genetically engineered babies 4.Nuclear power / spent fuel storage 5.Human longevity 6.Human tracking These issues will have large impacts… We Have Issues

IOT POLY ENGINEERING I1-12 We Have Issues “Did You Know?” Video 8 minutes

IOT 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

IOT POLY ENGINEERING I1-8 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.Emotional 2.Cultural 3.Intellectual 4.Environmental 5.Perceptual Assessing Technology

PROS Pro/Con Method Genetic Engineering CONS Watch out for inhibiting factors: 1.Emotional 2.Cultural 3.Intellectual 4.Environmental 5.Perceptual IOT POLY ENGINEERING I1-12

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. Assessing Technology IOT POLY ENGINEERING I1-12

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 IOT POLY ENGINEERING I1-12