Technologies: neither neutral nor predictable

Will recently made a comment remarking on how it used to be that technology was seen as the 'evil' that helped get us into 'this mess' (whichever mess you want to be talking about) but now, especially with renewable energy and climate change technology is supposed to get us out. So which is it - a bad or a good thing?

Of course, we know that it is both. Technology is embedded in our lives. and we can't necessarily predict what a technology will be used for in the future. The car which once gave Americans freedom is now contributing to Hurricanes and floods. And worse, technologies tend to create systems that become 'locked in'. So we don't move to renewable, at home energies in part because it would be an expensive and very inconveinant project to create decentralized power. In the developing world, technology is often seen as a fix - but often, its a short term fix.

So, now that we are seriously talking about building a green economy and investing in a clean future, how are we going to make sure that these new technologies that Dane keeps telling us about are going to stay in the hands of the people (or get there if they aren't there already)? How do we avoid 'solar plantations', as Van Jones likes to say?

First, we have to realize its a real concern.

Then - we (us regular guys and gals) need to find creative ways of owning - and sharing! - the technologies. And, as much as possible, we have to be part of the process of creating them. Technologies created in a lab are great, but having seen some seeds grown in labs fail when farmers plant them in their particular plot in their own way, I can say that being part of the process of creating technologies is incredibly important - and fun!