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Science and technology in a world transformed
OLR (1984)31 (12)
F. General
science stimulated R.H. Bradbury to compare Australian coral reef research to international reef research by examining titles at recent symposia in those areas. Bradbury's conclusion is that Australian research is behind, out-of-step, and dominated by a small, idiosyncratic and ill-apprised group. In reply, Hammond offers up 'more tangible factors' to explain the difference, and concludes Australia may be out-of-step because it is ahead. (fcs) 84:6348 Cracraft, James, 1984. Where Russians and Americans meet. (Perspectives.) Bull. atom. Scient., 40(4):5-6. The chill in official U,S.-Soviet relations does not mean that there aren't numerous private contacts and exchanges among American and Soviet scholars. (Indeed, even the government-sponsored programs continue, albeit at reduced levels.) Several of the leading non-government programs are described. (fcs) 84:6349 Ford, Glyn, 1983. Report. Indian marine technology policy. Mar. Poficy, 7(2):122-123. Mar. Res. Proj, PREST, Univ. of Manchester, UK. 84:6350 Hamburg, D.A., 1984. Science and technology in a world transformed. Science, 224(4652):943-946.
Technological advances have created spectacular opportunities for a better quality of life but also incur, after a lag period, unexpected side effects (weapons, totalitarianism, environmental damage, etc.). Rapid transformation in science and technology forces us to also transform our social institutions if we are to continue to enjoy the benefits of change while avoiding the negative side effects. Science can play a role in smoothing these transformations if traditional boundaries can be transcended and innovative ideas encouraged and implemented. Carnegie Corp. of New York, N.Y. 10022, USA. (bwt) 84:6351 Harrison, A.J., 1984. Common dements and interconnections. Science, 224(4652):939-942.
Science, engineering and technology share 'common elements and interconnections.' They are investigative processes that generate knowledge, and they are dependent upon and supportive of each other, thereby enhancing the capabilities of each discipline and increasing the combined body of knowledge that is an enormously valuable world resource. A result of this synergism is technological change with its
907
concomitant positive and negative effects on society. Resolving the problems created by technological advances requires scientific, engineering and technological knowledge; however, as such issues concern the quality of life, they demand value judgments which can be made only by society in general. The unique responsibilities of scientists and engineers in this endeavor are addressed by the AAAS 'with varying degrees of focus and diligence.' These responsibilities include: insuring the integrity of knowledge; removing communications barriers among scientists and engineers; distinguishing expert witnesses from advocates; eliminating discrimination; and most importantly, increasing the commitment to provide for all students access to scientific and technical knowledge to enable them to assess and judge the societal issues they will confront. Mount Holyoke Coll., South Hadley, Mass. 01075, USA. (msg) 84:6352 Hetherington, N.S., 1983. Commentary. Just how objective is science? Nature, Lond., 306(5945): 727-730.
In 1955 Herman Bondi suggested that astronomical theory was a more reliable arbiter of hypotheses than was observation. He was referring to several monumental cases where reported astronomical observations were later effectively shown to have been impossible. Often these observations were privately criticized, but it is clear that there was too much willingness to forego direct challenges to the credibility of another's work. A letter of Harlow Shapley's to Knut Lundmark advises as much. Such pressures apparently still exist: 'there has recently been talk of closing archives to historians because their initial studies came to unpleasant conclusions.' But keeping science objective might be a major function of science historians. 1742 Spruce, Apt. 201, Berkeley, CA 94709, USA. (fcs) 84:6353 Mark, Hans, 1983. Our heritage--our future. Interdiscipl. Sci. Rev., 8(4):297-306.
Twentieth century technology can largely be traced back to twentieth century physics, specifically relativity and quantum mechanics; and reasonable extrapolations of where this technology will go can be made in such areas as microelectronics, laser applications, molecular biology, materials science and nuclear power generation. At the same time, the distant future is likely to be determined by unpredictable nonlinearities in scientific thought and discovery--brought to play initially by the imagination alone. The exploration of space and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence are examples
F. General
science stimulated R.H. Bradbury to compare Australian coral reef research to international reef research by examining titles at recent symposia in those areas. Bradbury's conclusion is that Australian research is behind, out-of-step, and dominated by a small, idiosyncratic and ill-apprised group. In reply, Hammond offers up 'more tangible factors' to explain the difference, and concludes Australia may be out-of-step because it is ahead. (fcs) 84:6348 Cracraft, James, 1984. Where Russians and Americans meet. (Perspectives.) Bull. atom. Scient., 40(4):5-6. The chill in official U,S.-Soviet relations does not mean that there aren't numerous private contacts and exchanges among American and Soviet scholars. (Indeed, even the government-sponsored programs continue, albeit at reduced levels.) Several of the leading non-government programs are described. (fcs) 84:6349 Ford, Glyn, 1983. Report. Indian marine technology policy. Mar. Poficy, 7(2):122-123. Mar. Res. Proj, PREST, Univ. of Manchester, UK. 84:6350 Hamburg, D.A., 1984. Science and technology in a world transformed. Science, 224(4652):943-946.
Technological advances have created spectacular opportunities for a better quality of life but also incur, after a lag period, unexpected side effects (weapons, totalitarianism, environmental damage, etc.). Rapid transformation in science and technology forces us to also transform our social institutions if we are to continue to enjoy the benefits of change while avoiding the negative side effects. Science can play a role in smoothing these transformations if traditional boundaries can be transcended and innovative ideas encouraged and implemented. Carnegie Corp. of New York, N.Y. 10022, USA. (bwt) 84:6351 Harrison, A.J., 1984. Common dements and interconnections. Science, 224(4652):939-942.
Science, engineering and technology share 'common elements and interconnections.' They are investigative processes that generate knowledge, and they are dependent upon and supportive of each other, thereby enhancing the capabilities of each discipline and increasing the combined body of knowledge that is an enormously valuable world resource. A result of this synergism is technological change with its
907
concomitant positive and negative effects on society. Resolving the problems created by technological advances requires scientific, engineering and technological knowledge; however, as such issues concern the quality of life, they demand value judgments which can be made only by society in general. The unique responsibilities of scientists and engineers in this endeavor are addressed by the AAAS 'with varying degrees of focus and diligence.' These responsibilities include: insuring the integrity of knowledge; removing communications barriers among scientists and engineers; distinguishing expert witnesses from advocates; eliminating discrimination; and most importantly, increasing the commitment to provide for all students access to scientific and technical knowledge to enable them to assess and judge the societal issues they will confront. Mount Holyoke Coll., South Hadley, Mass. 01075, USA. (msg) 84:6352 Hetherington, N.S., 1983. Commentary. Just how objective is science? Nature, Lond., 306(5945): 727-730.
In 1955 Herman Bondi suggested that astronomical theory was a more reliable arbiter of hypotheses than was observation. He was referring to several monumental cases where reported astronomical observations were later effectively shown to have been impossible. Often these observations were privately criticized, but it is clear that there was too much willingness to forego direct challenges to the credibility of another's work. A letter of Harlow Shapley's to Knut Lundmark advises as much. Such pressures apparently still exist: 'there has recently been talk of closing archives to historians because their initial studies came to unpleasant conclusions.' But keeping science objective might be a major function of science historians. 1742 Spruce, Apt. 201, Berkeley, CA 94709, USA. (fcs) 84:6353 Mark, Hans, 1983. Our heritage--our future. Interdiscipl. Sci. Rev., 8(4):297-306.
Twentieth century technology can largely be traced back to twentieth century physics, specifically relativity and quantum mechanics; and reasonable extrapolations of where this technology will go can be made in such areas as microelectronics, laser applications, molecular biology, materials science and nuclear power generation. At the same time, the distant future is likely to be determined by unpredictable nonlinearities in scientific thought and discovery--brought to play initially by the imagination alone. The exploration of space and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence are examples