Techno-Fixers: Origins and Implications of Technological Faith

by Sean F. Johnston

This is the story of a seductive idea. Over the past century, the potential of new technology to solve social dilemmas has captivated modern culture. From apps that encourage physical activity to airport scanners meant to prevent terrorism, the concept that clever innovation can improve society is irresistible, but faith in such technological fixes is seldom questioned. Where did this idea come from, what makes it so appealing, and how does it endanger our future? Techno-Fixers traces the source of modern confidence in technology to engineering hubris, radical utopian movements, science fiction fanzines, policy-makers' soundbites, corporate marketing, and optimistic consumer culture from the turn of the twentieth century until today. Sean Johnston demonstrates that, through the promotion of prominent government scientists, technocrats, entrepreneurs, and popular media, modern invention became the favourite tool for addressing human problems and society's ills. Nonetheless, when it comes to assessing the success of cigarette filters as the solution to safe smoking, or DDT as the answer for agricultural productivity, the evidence is sobering. Cautioning that the rhetoric of technological fixes seldom matches reality, Johnston examines how employing innovation to bypass traditional methods can foster as many problems as it solves. A critical examination of modern faith in technology, Techno-Fixers evaluates past mistakes, present implications, and future opportunities for innovating societies.

Genres: Technology, Economics

336 pages, Hardcover

Published March 26, 2020

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever you find yourself swept up in techno-optimism it is extremely essential to ask who is championing it , what is the socio-economic system that incentivizes the optimism, who are the stakeholders, are the public brought in as stakeholders.in any meaningful way, are the risks well researched to assess the level of externalities given the proposed benefits.
One statement that summarizes the sentiment is are we being provided with an unnecessary solution to a non-existent problem or just remedy some of the extreme externality of the last techno-solution. Persisting as is, means that eventually our luck runs out.