Atoms, Bytes and Genes - Public Resistance and Techno-Scientific Responses

Informationen zum Autor Martin W. Bauer is Professor of Social Psychology at London School of Economics and Political Sciences and the Editor of Public Understanding of Science. Klappentext "Atom," "byte" and "gene" are metonymies for techno-scientific developments of the 20th century: nuclear power, computing and genetic engineering. Resistance continues to challenge these developments in public opinion. This book traces historical debates over atoms, bytes and genes which raised controversy with consequences, and argues that public opinion is a factor of the development of modern techno-science. The level and scope of public controversy is an index of resistance, examined here with a "pain analogy" which shows that just as pain impacts movement, resistance impacts techno-scientific mobilization: it signals that something is wrong, and this requires attention, elaboration and a response to the challenge. This analysis shows how different fields of enquiry deal with the resistance of social-psychological mentalities in the face of industrial, scientific and political activities inspired by projected futures. Zusammenfassung Demonstrates the varied contributions of public resistance to technological developments over the years. Inhaltsverzeichnis 1. Introduction: Movement Redirected by Resistance 2. Mobilising a Different Future 3. The Atom: Bombs and Power 4. Environment, Safety and Sustainability 5. Ten Propositions on Learning from Resistance 6. The "Bytes" of Mainframes, PC and Social Media 7. Public Opinion and Its Discontents 8. Genes, Biotechnology and Genomics 9. Some Further Observations on Resistance. Appendix 1: Notes on Social Movement and Social Influence. Appendix 2: Chronologies of Atoms, Bytes and Genes.

Product details

• Authors: Martin Bauer, Martin W. Bauer, Martin W. (London School of Economics Bauer, Bauer Martin W., Not Available (NA)
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 19.12.2014
• EAN: 9780415958035
• ISBN: 978-0-415-95803-5
• No. of pages: 320
• Series: Routledge Advances in Sociology; Routledge Advances in Sociology
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Education > Social education, social work; Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Natural sciences (general); Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > Sociological theories; Social Theory, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / General, SCIENCE / Philosophy & Social Aspects, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / General, TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / Social Aspects, Social issues & processes, Social and ethical issues, Sociology and anthropology