The
Unintended Consequences of Technology: Solutions, Breakthroughs and the Restart
We Need. By Chris Ategeka. Hoboken,
NJ: Wiley and Sons, Inc. 2022. 291 pp.
The relatively long title of
this book basically informs the potential reader what to look for in its
contents. Comprised of 14 chapters, each focusing on a particular topic or area
of technological development, the book presents in a systematic the relevant
issues: the state of development, the positive contributions, the unintended
consequences, and suggestions for remedying the problem. While most of the
chapters highlight a particular technological innovation such as data,
artificial intelligence, blockchain, genomics, and 5g, other chapters focus on tech
related entities and issues. For example, the first two chapters of the book
discuss capitalism which is the economic system that has been most successful
in promoting and accelerating global technological development. In fidelity to
the book title, the authors presents both positive and problematic areas with
this system and calls for a hybrid system that contains elements of both capitalism
and socialism.
The second chapter
discusses “Tech-states” which are tech giants whose wealth, power, influence,
and “citizens” (users) exceed that of numerous nation-states. Chapter 6 deals
with the issue of addiction to digital communication and technology with similar
characteristics as drug addiction. The author emphasizes that technological
conditioning has turned humans into “users”, and ultimately addicted “drug”
users. Other chapters in the book delve into tech-related social dilemmas such
as the infodemic that has debilitated one’s ability to decipher and distinguish
between truth and falsehood; the danger of cyber warfare in the digital age;
the opportunities and challenges to livelihood due to automation; the impact of
technological development on the climate; and the role of technological
development in the field of ethics.
This book is most useful as
a comprehensive introduction to the major modern digital technologies and
issues in connection with these developments. The author approaches each topic
systematically, providing with clarity and conciseness the main information that
would help the reader to better grasp the matter. Due to the wide-ranging topics
included in the book, the author is limited to the most essential information,
and is unable to go into great depths. However, in so far as the book attempts
to provide an overall picture of the state of modern technology and its social
implications, the author has done a commendable job. The most valuable contribution
of the book is its repeated insistence that each area contains both
opportunities and challenges, which oftentimes are unintended. However, these
unintended consequences can and should be addressed so that humanity receives
the maximum benefit from technological progress and not fall victim to its own
ingenuity.
No comments:
Post a Comment