The Double Helix: Technology and Democracy in the American Future

By Edward Wenk

Book Overview

Whoever controls technology controls the future. While that prospect stings, it has a bright side. America's preeminence stems from a remarkable intertwining of technology and democracy. The Constitutions set the course. Technology provided the means. As we recognize that technology is about power, physical, economic and political, business is facilitated but principles of liberty and justice may be at risk. This book examines causes and offers remedies to strengthen self-government and restore politics as the public life of a people.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1567504310
• ISBN13: 9781567504316
• Release Date: April 1999
• Publisher: Praeger
• Length: 252 Pages
• Weight: 0.79 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Excellent look at technology's effects on American democracy

Reviewed in Northwest Science & Technology magazine, Spring 2000 issueTechnology, the source of much of the last century's economic progress, may spell trouble for democracy, according to Edward Wenk, Jr.'s latest book, The Double Helix. Wenk's book provides a detailed and well-thought-out exploration of the intertwining of technology and democracy, what he terms the double helix.Wenk is in an excellent position to investigate this topic. He was the first science adviser to congress and served on the staffs of Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon. He is also a professor emeritus of Civil Engineering and Public Affairs at the University of Washington. He was recently recognized for his contribution to public understanding of engineering in contemporary society with the Ralph Coats Roe Medal from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.Wenk's book is an excellent chronicle of the history of technology in America. Wenk provides an in-depth analysis of the effects technology has had on our economy, society and public policy. While technology has helped make America the world leader it is today, Wenk realizes that uncritical use of technology has threatened the democracy that the country was founded upon. Few people seem to see that the answer lies not with more technology, but within us. The answer, he says, involves government, business, media, universities and religious institutions working together to create social change and revitalize a shared moral vision. Wenk begins by cataloging some of the ways we have been affected by technology. He points out that all technology has unintended consequences, ones that often influence society as much as the technology itself does. In fact, Wenk realizes, as more technology comes on the scene, the pace of life speeds up. Rather than saving us time, it often seems like technology gives us more choices, but less time to choose. Using a reader-friendly style, he explores a series of what he likes to call "enigmas," including how technology can bring us more information, but paradoxically brings less understanding.Wenk also details the special influence of information technology on American culture, and ultimately, democracy. Wenk explores how technologies such as radio, television and the Web have helped create what he calls a "functional illiteracy," where language is simplified and information compressed into bite-size packets. Speed of transmission has become more important than quality of content, Wenk says. He places particular emphasis on the influence of information technology on democratic elections, which now focus more marketing than on actual dissemination of information.Information technology has influenced democracy in another critical way. To work correctly, democracy relies upon an informed citizenry. Television and the Web may provide more information, and do so more quickly, but the content is more questionable--sources often have conflic