Dear Pericles,

One limit to the use of technology is that we cannot always be aware of the consequences of the use of such technology.

One glaring example in Australia is the bringing in of the cane toad as a control for insect pests on sugar cane. Not only were the toads ineffective against the sugar cane pests, but they have become a greater pest themselves. Australia is so far unable to deal with the toad.

China has recognised the problem of population growth. However, since China is a tyranny the one child policy has been pursued in a tyrannical manner. There have been forced abortions, additional children allowed for the privileged and other abuses. However, as I mentioned in a previous post there are non-coercive policies to achieve the same goal. One problem is that most countries either ignore the problem or pursue policies which exacerbate it. Rudd with his goal of a big Australia was an example of that.

Sometimes the social consequences of technology are examined and technology limited on that basis. One example of that was the US Congress refusal to authorise the financing of an Supersonic Transport Plane to compete with the Concorde. Considering the history of the Concorde it was a wise decision. Another example was the Japanese refusal to allow firearms as it would have upset their social structure. They were introduced a century later with less social dislocation.

Japanese appear less wise in refitting the nuclear reactors which added to the death and suffering caused by the recent tsunami. Unfortunately the Japanese nuclear industry is so politically powerful that a future disaster appears to be probable.

Also unfortunate is the fact that those who make decisions as to its application are generally politicians who lack the background to ask the appropriate questions.