1. World problems
  2. Unintended consequences of technology

Unintended consequences of technology

  • Technological revenge effects

Nature

Revenge effects are not side effects, rather they are a consequence of technological advances acquiring their own unforeseen momentum in ways that are experienced as unpleasant by humanity.

Incidence

Examples include: the rise of drug-resistant bacteria in response to invention of antibiotics; the increase in road traffic as a resultant of the construction of roads; the increase in paper in efforts to achieve a paperless office.

Claim

Technology wants to hurt us. Revenge effects could end up destroying the world, or civilization as it is currently known.

Counter-claim

In nature there are neither rewards not punishments -- there are consequences. (Robert Green Ingersoll).

Broader

Aggravates

Aggravated by

Related

Reference

Web link

SDG

Sustainable Development Goal #9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Metadata

Database
World problems
Type
(E) Emanations of other problems
Subject
  • Societal problems » Maltreatment
  • Technology » Technology
  • Content quality
    Presentable
     Presentable
    Language
    English
    Last update
    Oct 4, 2020