Science, Technology & Society in a Tumultuous World

Name: Science, Technology &amp; Society in a Tumultuous World
Start: 2025-02-25T18:30:00+05:30
End: 2025-02-25T20:00:00+05:30
Location: Bangalore International Centre (BIC)

Schedule

Tue Feb 25 2025 at 06:30 pm to 08:00 pm

UTC+05:30

Location

Bangalore International Centre (BIC) | Bangalore, KA

Politician, economist, social activist, strategist, or even mere scientist: Today, an expert in any walk of life anywhere in the world feels like they are in a bus going downhill with the brakes only somewhat working. For us in India, this kind of ride is everyday. Risks, uncertainties, and exigencies interfere daily with efforts at careful planning and developing polices and their translation to action. Yet, through the dust and churn around us, it is worth examining how India has developed its policy and decision-making tools in complex and challenging areas since independence. Where have we done reasonably, and where are there causes for concern for the future?In the first third of this talk, the speaker will summarise India’s science and technology journey from the early twentieth century to the present. Here, they will also point out how the world of science and technology has changed. The next third will address how science and technology have been used and have enabled the rise of technology giants and of current societies. Finally explored will be the question of what the future holds for India—seen through the lens of science and technology—in a world that could not have been imagined in 1900? What awaits us in 2050, a new, placid, peaceful valley, or will the bus continue to careen along?The talk will be followed by a Q&A session with the audience.This lecture is a part of Azim Premji University’s Public Lecture Series.