Episode 3

Considering Ethical Responsibility in Science and Technology ft. Nicholas Carr

December 09, 2019

TRANSCRIPT

Shobita and Jack discuss what responsibilities scientists and scientific institutions bear when research results—like DNA phenotyping or human germline gene editing—are used to morally dubious ends. And they consider whether the problem with Big Tech is actually just one of Big Business. Jack interviews tech journalist Nicholas Carr, author of numerous books including Utopia is Creepy and Other Provocations (2017).

Study Questions:

1. How are non-scientists kept out of discussions about science and how do scientists de-legitimize critiques from non-scientists?

2. In what ways are the international scientific community responsible for research that they condemn?

3. What are the social and political implications of technological momentum for regulating big technology companies?

4. What is the connection that Nicholas Carr makes between techno-utopianism and antidemocratic politics?

mentioned Links:

• China Uses DNA to Map Faces, With Help From the West (The New York Times)

• The Taming of Tech Criticism (The Baffler)

• Nicholas Carr’s Page and his blog here

• Science and Technology Podcast (…and Then There’s Physics)