The Problem with Avoiding Solutions

Douthwaite argues that technological fixes are necessary in order to solve any social problems facing humankind, however neither Johnston or the Huesemann’s would agree with that idea. Both Johnston and the Huesemanns would be very critical on Dothwaite’s belief that these technological fixes would help give humankind more time to better understand both social and physical sciences.  Johnston would argue that most if not all technological fixes are a knee-jerk reaction to a social problem, usually caused by humans and only provide short term solutions to problems. Scientists and engineers don’t ever consider longevity of a technological fix instead only applying quick fixes. The Huesemanns on the other hand are more concerned with how humankind never thinks about the negative consequences of their technological fixes and how these consequences can happen at any time. They say that over time species survive because of how they have evolved and these fixes are messing with the natural timing of evolution.

 

The biggest reason that technological fixes cause negative repercussions is because no one tries to look at how the fix will affect the future of the systems the fix is being applied to. No scientist will step back and ask themselves if the fix will badly affect a related company or cause a negative outcome come a few years down the road. These consequences are unforeseen and almost impossible to determine, so the scientists and engineers can’t be blamed for any negative outcomes. Finding technological outcomes is what helps propel humankind forward as a species. The Huesemanns talked about how technological fixes negatively affect other species evolution but they never once considered that maybe these fixes are how humankind evolve as a species. Humans best attribute is our brain so we must constantly be trying to find solutions to our problems which in turn will open doors to new learning.