In this week’s TL;DR Shorts episode we hear from Angela Saini, a British science journalist, author, and broadcaster known for her work exploring the intersections of science, gender, race, and society. Angela explores the concept of “tech for good” and whether all tech is really good for everyone.
Angela believes that “good” is a relative term – what can be considered good for some groups in society can be devastating for others. Angela uses the internet as one example of technology with varied impacts. It is undoubtedly a great tool in many ways, enabling connection, creation and communication across most of the world. However, it is all too easy to reel off a list of the negative impacts the internet has also had on society and, indeed, humanity.
Angela reminds researchers to think about the fundamental values of science, as she believes these need more interrogation and consideration. We often think of science as a tool for improving humanity, but what does that mean? “Improvement” could mean enabling people to be stronger, more intelligent, and more beautiful – but how does this benefit our world? Perhaps what we want or even need are societies that are more caring, kind, and inclusive. We should be striving to create more opportunities for everyone. Does all new technology work towards that goal, or are novel developments on the whole still too individualistic? Angela believes that science should be for all and that it should be developed together. Reflecting on these challenges in the warm glow of a recent Sci Foo gathering, Angela already has a discussion topic for a future unconference session – “What do we think science is for?”
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