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Technology and Analytics for Global Development
Book Review: The Northeast Corridor
January 8, 2025FILED UNDER: Articles, Book Reviews, Case Studies, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact
Much of the U.S. is suspicious of centralized government planning, and despite the benefits of rail’s carbon emissions per passenger compared to cars and planes, AMTRAK is seen by many Americans as a plot of eastern elites.
Book Review: The Science of Life and Death in Frankenstein
December 20, 2024FILED UNDER: Articles, Book Reviews, Health & Medical, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact
In the background of Mary Shelley’s life was a very public debate between two prominent doctors beginning in 1815: John Abernethy and William Lawrence, both faculty at the Royal College of Surgeons. Lawrence was Shelley’s doctor. There was a clash in their philosophies that emerged in public lectures. Abernethy’s belief about life is more harmonious with Judeo-Christian faith: that there is an essence that renders organic matter different from the inorganic and that human life is fundamentally different from other life. Lawrence maintained that life is simply matter that has grown sophisticated enough to reproduce itself and to become aware of its surroundings. Lawrence paid for this by losing his job. Ruston implies that Shelley’s Frankenstein subscribes to Abernethy’s belief.
The Gap Between Policy and Implementation Has Roots in Academia
December 12, 2024FILED UNDER: Articles, Editorial & Opinion, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact
The discipline of public policy is largely about the process and prioritization of decision-making and is deeply rooted in economics. It is about how to decide what to do or accomplish, based on countless variables and inputs. Preparing the next generation of policymakers means acknowledging that public policy and technology are inextricably entwined.
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Call for EIC/Co-EICs of IEEE Transactions on Technology and Society
December 30, 2024FILED UNDER: Announcements, Articles, Blog Posts, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact, SSIT Announcements, Transactions
The Society on Social Implications of Technology (SSIT) of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) seeks applications and nominations for the position of Editor-in-Chief (EIC) or Co-Editors-in-Chief (Co-EICs) of the IEEE Transactions on Technology and Society (TTS) for a three-year term (once renewable) beginning 1 January 2026.