Coupling: Actions and consequences in a shrinking world

by Andrew Maynard | Apr 3, 2009 | Emerging Technology, Policy, Rethinking Science & Technology

Part 2 of a series on rethinking science and technology for the 21st century In the previous post in this series I introduced the idea of the three “C’s:” Coupling Communication and Control—three factors that together challenge conventional ideas on how science and...

Building better batteries, the Chinese way

by Andrew Maynard | Apr 2, 2009 | Emerging Technology, Environment, Nanotechnology

Reading yesterday’s New York Times, it seems China could well be poised to leapfrog the West in advanced battery technology (China Vies to Be World’s Leader in Electric Cars). According to the article, Chinese leaders have adopted a plan aimed at turning the country...

Science, technology and the three “C’s:” Communication, Coupling and Control

by Andrew Maynard | Mar 19, 2009 | Emerging Technology, Rethinking Science & Technology

Part 1 of a series on rethinking science and technology for the 21st century We live in a crowded, science and technology-dependent word.  And things aren’t getting any better!  The global population is currently around 6.8 billion.  Over the next four years it’s...

Rethinking science and technology for the 21st century

by Andrew Maynard | Mar 13, 2009 | Emerging Technology, Rethinking Science & Technology

Like it or not, society is dependent on science and technology.  The only way we can cram 6 billion people plus onto the earth and use resources at the rate we do, is through the support of scientific discovery and technology innovation.  Take our technology-based...

Deconstructing the “Fry Event Horizon”

by Andrew Maynard | Mar 6, 2009 | Civic Science, Communication, Emerging Technology

I’ve been intending writing about Ray Kurzweil and the technological singularity for some time now.  This isn’t that blog—it is a Friday evening after all, at the end of a long week.  But it is connected with some of the ideas behind the singularity. Instead, I’m...

Nanotechnology risk research, ten years on

by Andrew Maynard | Mar 2, 2009 | Emerging Technology, Nanotechnology, Oversight

Ten years ago to the month, one of the first research reports detailing the challenges of ensuring the safe use of engineered nanomaterials was delivered to the UK Health and Safety Executive.  The report wasn’t for general release, and you’ll be hard pressed to find...