- 14 Jan 2004 11:48
#78420
I have skimmed the Technocracy website, reading the parts that interest me, and find it very interesting. A born skeptic (not to be confused with cynic), I have a question, which may be answered on the website and has just not “jumped out at me†yet. A brief answer here might determine whether or not I read more, or simply reject the idea “out of hand.†Here it is:
If “energy†science is used to solve every problem, obviously computers will be a massive factor in solving problems, since they are much more efficient at answering “yes/no†questions. It seems that, with technocracy, virtually every question will be answered by applying the test of consumption/production to every problem, so that there is only one solution: the most energy efficient. Therefore, theoretically, the system, if never “corrupted†by human “tinkeringâ€, would eventually be capable of being administrated almost entirely by computer.
Assuming the above, how will emotional issues be dealt with, in which human judgment is presently required? Won’t the human eventually evolve into a simple biological “unit,†whose value to the system is evaluated using purely scientific criteria? Of course, I understand that, in the beginning, that aspect will be planned for, to reassure everyone before the “continental referendum,†but what happens a few generations down the road, when science continues to strive for greater efficiency, and the “masses†are more receptive to the idea of “efficiency for the sake of efficiency?â€
For example: Given that the young tend to think of the aged as generally being unproductive, won’t they eventually allow “the system†to regard them as a waste of resources, and therefore expendable? I choose this as an example because there have been numerous science fiction books and movies along this line, so there is probably a “pat†answer, which will suit me fine…for the moment. I will assume that a similar solution could be applied to the mentally defective people, those afflicted with chronic ill health, etc.
Also, what about philosophical “truths†that have been established to apply to the existence we now know? Will they be discarded, in favor of a more scientific approach to morality?
I understand that all of these things can be “allowed for†at the beginning, but since all systems tend to evolve into something quite different from the ideas of the “founding fathers,†why can I not assume that technocracy will eventually attempt to remove from the system all things not necessary for its scientific advancement?
If “energy†science is used to solve every problem, obviously computers will be a massive factor in solving problems, since they are much more efficient at answering “yes/no†questions. It seems that, with technocracy, virtually every question will be answered by applying the test of consumption/production to every problem, so that there is only one solution: the most energy efficient. Therefore, theoretically, the system, if never “corrupted†by human “tinkeringâ€, would eventually be capable of being administrated almost entirely by computer.
Assuming the above, how will emotional issues be dealt with, in which human judgment is presently required? Won’t the human eventually evolve into a simple biological “unit,†whose value to the system is evaluated using purely scientific criteria? Of course, I understand that, in the beginning, that aspect will be planned for, to reassure everyone before the “continental referendum,†but what happens a few generations down the road, when science continues to strive for greater efficiency, and the “masses†are more receptive to the idea of “efficiency for the sake of efficiency?â€
For example: Given that the young tend to think of the aged as generally being unproductive, won’t they eventually allow “the system†to regard them as a waste of resources, and therefore expendable? I choose this as an example because there have been numerous science fiction books and movies along this line, so there is probably a “pat†answer, which will suit me fine…for the moment. I will assume that a similar solution could be applied to the mentally defective people, those afflicted with chronic ill health, etc.
Also, what about philosophical “truths†that have been established to apply to the existence we now know? Will they be discarded, in favor of a more scientific approach to morality?
I understand that all of these things can be “allowed for†at the beginning, but since all systems tend to evolve into something quite different from the ideas of the “founding fathers,†why can I not assume that technocracy will eventually attempt to remove from the system all things not necessary for its scientific advancement?