| Technology: The Largest Force for Change? |
| Written by Hank Green | ||
| Thursday, 27 September 2007 | ||
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The basic idea is that there are a few ways to change the world. You can change the way you act, and maybe society will also, voluntarily, change. This approach is generally very slow. Or you can change laws, though government is so slow-acting and beholden to industry that this may be even slower. Finally, you can change the world by changing technology. So, you can try and ban coal-fired power plants all day and night for the next thirty years and you won't have much luck. But if you go get a degree in physics, and create a solar panel that produces cheaper electricity than coal power plants, then no legislation in the world is going to keep coal alive. Technology is thus probably the largest (and most unrecognized) vector for change. That change can be both positive and negative, but it is my belief that it has been, and will continue to be, positive. But we have to watch it. We have to be a part of it, and promote the good, and attempt to control the bad. Because once a truly useful technology is loose...there's no putting it back into the bag. Via WorldChanging
Comments
(5)
True, but....
written by Brian Green , September 28, 2007
Legislation is the only "sustainable" fo
written by Ryan Baker , September 29, 2007
Technology and personal action are important tools, but they aren't inexorable forces. The only way it's possible to keep technology "in the bag", is through legislation. You might get away with personal action for a very short period, but it won't last as the other half (or really other 4/5ths) go their way.
The only way to steer technology, personal actions, corporate actions and investment is through legislation, preferabbly global, though national would be a good start. The most broad, fair and obvious mechanism is carbon economics. Good people and actions cost less, bad costs more. Simple. To me, how you spend the money is not half as important as the steering force it has. I have my opinion on what's best, but I'll support just about anything. Research, lower income taxes, national health care... I'll compromise on whatever has the most political support.
mr
written by steve , September 29, 2007
technology is not enough. Vested interests are quite powerful enough to block the best technology. You would be surprised how quickly governments can legislate when they are doing it as a favour to their industrial pals (Oil any one?).
Regards Steve
another way to change the world!
written by Karson , September 29, 2007
first thing to do is figure out a perfect sustainble way of life for humans and the world that just makes undeniable sense, then write a book about it and spread the word. the good news is that the first parts already done for you! its called ishmael, its by daniel quinn, and if youve heard about it, ill bet just about anything it was by word of mouth. read it, love it, digest it, internalize it. and then, spread it. however and wherever you can. namaste
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written by Enrique , October 01, 2007
California has done both: It banned Utilities companies from renewing energy contracts from buying from coal plants, mainly Utah. It also creative incentives for the Uility companies to achieve a 20% of their electricity through alternative energies by 2010.
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The second difficulty of pulling the technology out of the bag is availability. We all know that supply and demand (cost) go hand in hand. If technology isn't readily available for the end user, it's not going to be cheap, in which case most won't adopt the technology. If these systems aren't available in places the majority of consumers shop, adoption of this technology will remain fringe.
Lastly, there comes the inconvenient fact that if someone NEEDS something, it inherently costs more than if it's merely a "want". One only has to look at the technology that is Oncology to see where prices soar to levels unimaginable simply because the technology provider knows what happens when their product isn't used.
Solar power systems for houses are a great idea, but they won't change the world until you can go down to your local mall, Target, or some other middle-of-the-road store and buy a kit for your house that a Junior in high school can setup without the assistance of an outside party. This ensures that the average person can install everything they need on their own, in a timely manner, with relative ease, while keeping costs to a level where the average person will adopt it.
As it stands today, current technology fails to properly address these issues. Thus, the coal fired power plants.