Module 12

Bill Joy starts his article “Why the future doesn’t need us” by explaining that he never really thought about robots and such taking over society. He states that most of his thoughts of the future and technological advancements were based on watching Star Trek as a child. I think, like Joy, many of us have not really thought about what our daily technological advancements can lead to in the future. Joy states that he is most afraid of are advances in genetics, nanotechnology and robotics (GNR), and while his fears can be justified, there may not be much that the lay population can do to push forth regulations.

GNR is Joy’s acronym for the advancement in genetics, nanotechnology, and robotics. Genetics covers the genetic engineering of foods and cures for diseases. Nanotechnology is technology that is microscopic or that can occur on the molecular level. This broad category includes advancements in things such as cheap energy, changes to the human immune system, and smaller electronic devices. Robotics is simply robots that are used to for manufacturing and operating machinery or controlling operations. These three categories are areas of that have seen radical advancements within the past few years. These advancements may have come so quickly that the ethical consequences may have not been fully considered.

Joy’s concerns for GNR can be justified, but he uses few examples of current events to explain this. He regurgitates much that he reads and hears and perused the reader into thinking that he is presenting new information. The one example that Joy uses and tries to try it into GNR is the development of the atomic bomb. Unfortunately, his story falls short of really explaining to the reader how this experiment and GNR are related. While reading this article, I though of advancements such as the automobile. One hundred years ago, one could not have predicted the environmental and economic crisis that would one day evolve. Now that we have come completely dependent on our gas guzzling car, trucks, and SUV’s and now that over 30% of the population has become obese in part to a lack of exercise by not walking or pedaling a bicycle upon other consequences, we have gone beyond the point of eliminating this form of transportation. In 1911, Proctor and Gamble starting producing the first tubs of Crisco. It did not take long for Crisco to be a main ingredient in breads, pies, cookies and cakes. In 1940’s, research began on the correlation of trans fat and cancer, with positive results. Yet, society chose to ignore it. Again, we have developed such dependency on this technology that we are having hard time letting it go, even though it has lead to major health concerns. Other examples include genetically engineer salmon that the FDA deemed safe to eat and does not have to be labeled so that consumers know what they are purchasing, the development and FDA approved medication Phen-Phen, and our dependency on cell phones, laptops and other electronic devices. So, I agree that Joy is right to express his concern in these areas of rapid development, but he needs to provide better examples.

The greatest concern is not necessarily with the developments themselves, but with the way that these technologies are regulated. Joy fears that we may become a society that is overrun by robots that can think for themselves. These robots will have not use for us and will exterminate us. While I am hopeful that as a society we are intelligent enough to remain in control of our electronics, I am more concerned with genetics. When Social Security was first developed, the average life expectancy was much lower that it is today. This increase of years lived is due in part to advances in medicine. We now have cure to many illnesses and have the ability to perform complex surgeries. This is already causing an economic drain on society and has gotten to the point where Social Security will no longer provide a retirement for many people my age. I am also concerned with the engineering of foods. As of now, we have no idea how this will affect our health 20-30 years down the road, much like the development of trans fat. There comes a point were we, as a society can not fully rely on our government officials to protect us. It has come to a point were we must start thinking for ourselves and making our own educated decisions on what we eat, what we use for transportation, and how we conduct ourselves.