Technology, old and new: the need for caution

In imagining the role of technology in the twenty first century, we should not lose sight of the fact that man of our problems can be solved only with ‘low’ technology. Repairing all of our damaged roads, bridges, rails, pipes and other components of that is sometimes called ‘infrastructure’ will be accomplished with older technology. And when it comes to producing products with low enough prices and high enough quality to compete in the international market, we can look to computers, car parts and new materials and processes for help, but most of our production problems will not be solved by higher technology alone. Our energy supply is another major problem, both because of the finite supply of petrochemicals and an atmosphere that is more vulnerable to pollution than we had imagined. At present we seem to have swung towards a more positive but still realistic attitude.