First, I would like to say that economics doesn’t make sense
to me. I can understand basic concepts, but overall, sometimes it feels like a
foreign language to me. That being said, the comic book Economix by Michael
Goodwin was very helpful in going through concepts that weren’t very clear to
me. At some points is definitely seems be has put his opinion in there, but overall
it was useful.
The part in book that resonated with me that most was from
page 284-286 titled Our Sick Planet. This short section brought the readers
attention to the fact that we have “hit environmental limits”. There
is a large two-page illustration that should what is happening to many parts in
the world, such as ice caps melting, dead zones, and rivers drying up. After this,
Goodwin tries to tell us that the problems we see were once though impossible.
From this, he argues that the problems that will come in the future, we will
see as impossible today. He than goes into saying that technology is thought to
solve all of our problems, but it may end up causing more problems in the
future. He than gives examples: genetic modification, nanotechnology, and geoengineering.
This is when I had to take a step back and take a deep
breath. I am an engineer, therefore get excited as science advances. So, when
Goodwin came at these fields, fields that have benefited everyone’s life so
far, I get frustrated. Yes, I agree that there are some aspects to each that the
potential to do harm if used to do so, but overall, without GMO’s, our grocery
store would feel empty. What people don’t realize is how many of the foods their
eating have touched GMO’s before getting on to their plates. In addition, nanotechnology
is everywhere! Why should we be wary of a technology that has the potential to
do so many great things?
Goodwin also made a comment at the end saying that the
decision to use new technology is as much political as it is technological. For
me, being in the sciences, this statement makes me very uneasy. I understand
that just because we have certain technology doesn’t mean we should use it, but
should the people that decide be the government? I think not. That doesn’t change
that this may be the case though. Some people and groups have much influence
over what is decided on, and that is just how the world works sometimes. That
doesn’t mean I have to like it though! The facts that there might be technology
that could benefit many people and the environment alike and it is not being
utilized doesn’t make me happy. Goodwin even stated that this is happening in
todays world.
I liked your blog and thought this was also a very important part of the book. I think the point that with new technology comes new advancements, innovations, knowledge, but sometimes also challenges and dangers is sometimes true. I think an issue with some of the technologies that Goodwin listed might have to do with informing people about the benefits and possible challenges that come along with these technologies and who controls them. Unfortunately, yes, sometimes the people who are most informed about a certain technologies don't control them. I think the more that people with non-engineering or science backgrounds become informed on different technologies more people will become comfortable using them.
ReplyDeleteI like how you bring up Goodwin's comments on how using technology could be very political and how the government often decides whether we get to use it or not. This made me think about Facebook for example--a crucial example of how technology was used to sway political views during the election. This also made me think about the various controversies regarding potential cures for cancer and AIDS actually existing yet the suppression of such information because of the money involved in the health industry and in keeping people sick. So I can see how technology can be very politically as well as economically driven.
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