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\noindent{\bf 29. NEW GOALS FOR TECHNOLOGY}
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This paper put forth a number of propositions about
technology and present society, supports them to some extent, and
draws some conclusions about policy changes that will make technology
a greater benefit to society. A final polemical section attempts to
refute some rival views.
We start by giving some propositions:
\item{1.} Technology has been a great benefit to society, and it
will continue to benefit society even if the proposals made here are
not adopted.
\item{2.}The development of technology is uneven; in some branches,
technology follows closely behind the scientific developments that
make new technology possible. In other branches, there are great
lags. These lags are partly due to the tradition of the branch of
technology, partly due to defects in the organization of society.
\item{3.}In the near future, the most important technology is
computer and automation technology.
\item{4.} It would be desirable for everyone to have an income
sufficient for the basic necessities even without working. America
is still too poor for this, but doubling the GNP would probably make
it possible.
\item{5.}Provided the world population can be kept from increasing
by more than a factor of five, the whole world can attain double the
American per capita GNP and maintain it indefinitely. We don't say
how long it will take, but 100 years is a my guess and 50 years would
be possible if the policies proposed in this paper were adopted.
\item{6.}The Chinese cultural revolution complaint that scientists
and technologists are not sufficiently motivated to serve the people
is warranted in all countries. Their solution to the problem,
however, would not be a solution in more developed countries.
[It turned out not to be a solution in China, because the Maoists
were even less interested in serving the people].
\item{7.} A system in which the fear of mass unemployment is
banished is possible and necessary for progress. [Not a correct
formulation].
\item{8.}People whose interests are adversely affected by progress
should be bought out even if they don't have a property interest in
the present legal sense. This included tenants, workers who will
lose jobs, even union officials whose unions will disappear,
legislators whose jobs are to be streamlined away by merging
governmental bodies. This will be expensive, but bribery is cheaper
than tolerating endless delays.
\bye