Technological augmentation is largely concerned with efficiency. An efficient life is one without disease or hunger or pain. And as scientists, a world of perfection, a world where nature is at our mercy is the pinnacle of our ambitions. With our allegiance to efficiency, great perils have followed. Originally intended for commercial use as a disinfectant and an insecticide, Nazi scientists, through experimentation, discovered that Zyklon-B (hydrocyanic acid), could be used to kill humans. In their concentration camps, prisoners would be forced into air-tight rooms and Zyklon-B pellets would be released into the room. The pellets would then vaporize, giving off a noticeable bitter almond odor. Upon being breathed in, the vapors combined with red blood cells, depriving the human body of vital oxygen, causing unconsciousness, and then death through oxygen starvation.
As scientists, efficient life is our enthusiasm, yet these Nazi scientists made death efficient. I'm particularly fascinated with this case study because I fear one day that I could make death potent and economical. Even if it was not my intention, an individual could mutilate my technology and humanity could be expunged from existence. The technologies we create can never be objective, they have within them a bias that can potentially be exploited. Should I let this fear of exploitation stop me from ending world hunger or curing cancer? I have a vision for a technology and if that vision is picked at and conforms to the evil of the world, is the potential death of millions my responsibility? And if my cancer cure failed, should I be trusted to remedy my lack of insight? These Nazi scientists were convicted of war crimes and to paraphrase "I was following orders" was their defense, but they followed those orders so well. At the time, those gas chambers were efficient killing machines. Those scientists were clinical in their task because of their disdain for the people they were eradicating. Those gas chambers are an example of outer-world influence on technological advancement. In today's world, could an Adolf Hitler or Joseph Stalin channel my dislike for say the KKK and create a means to eliminate them from this world?
The bias of technological advancement and augmentation is something to be weary off. Technological design is influenced by a plethora of conditions, and the best scientists consider all the implications of their ambitions.
It is definitely a very real worry to have that the technological augmentation you as a scientist might create with even the best intentions in mind could one day be used for evil. In those cases, I would say, it is not your responsibility to be weary of every possible use of your invention. You should be smart, yes, and not put something out there which could very clearly cause damage, but it is ultimately impossible for you to plan for every possible outcome.
ReplyDeleteBut what if this invention of yours has the ability to save hundreds of people, and if the wrong person gets a hold of it, it could quickly have disastrous effects on other people? Do you destroy the invention because of the harm it might cause, or hope that it never finds its way into the wrong hands?
I agree with Megan here. This should be a very real concern for all of us, to know that someday in the future our own efforts to change the world for the better, could be used for evil. But theres just no way to know and to live in fear of this concern would be to live and work disingenuously. I feel like its similar to the fear of death. You know it's coming but can you say you lived if you live every day inside preserving yourself? In another post of yours, you mention Don Miguel Ruiz. He puts it more eloquently then I when he talks about accepting death and refusing fear. With that being said, it is really important to keep it in mind.
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