RETHINKING TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT: POLICY SIGNAL VS NOISE

In a regressive era, few policymakers seek neutrally competent analysis of
technologies. Existing models of technology assessment will have to be rethought for a
noisy environment rife with messaging by interested parties that range from armchair
pontificators to industry lobbyists to federal agencies pushing internal agendas. To help
serious-minded policymakers and policy influencers isolate meaningful signals from the
noise—noise that seems likely to grow ever louder and more discordant—technology
assessment should probe for points of policy leverage and become more sharply
focused. Yet this is only the first step in cutting cut through the noise. Messages must be
hammered home repetitively. Policy changes result not from disinterested analysis (if
there is such a thing) but from delivering messages over and over and over again. That is
one of the lessons of the past half-century.

In an effort to illustrate, the seminar will take (very) brief looks at three big issues:
technology and inequality, climate change, and militarization. The narrow intent is to find
points of entry that promise to focus debate on truly critical issues. The broader intent is
to think about the future of technology assessment as a process to begin
reconceptualizing its methods.

Host or Publisher CSPO in DC