Envisioning nanotechnology: New media and future-oriented stakeholder dialogue

Cynthia Selin; Rebecca Hudson

doi:10.1016/j.techsoc.2010.07.008

Envisioning nanotechnology: New media and future-oriented stakeholder dialogue

Cynthia Selin, Rebecca Hudson

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Nanotechnology promises to transform everyday life, yet there has been little reflection about the dilemmas, trade-offs and complex choices involved. Our project constructed a virtual public engagement platform in order to elucidate perspectives on multiple, plausible visions of human enhancement. Our new media platform operationalized open-source scenario planning to enable diverse communities to assess, critique and debate prospective nanotechnology-enabled products. Extending participation and deliberation through open-source mechanisms was an experiment involving not only an innovation of public engagement but also of traditional scenario planning. By revealing the NanoFutures project design and analysis, this paper explores to what extent this public engagement led to genuine dialogue and illustrates the risks and benefits of using multi-media tools in social science research.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	173-182
Number of pages	10
Journal	Technology in Society
Volume	32
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2010.07.008
State	Published - Aug 2010

Keywords

Emerging technologies
Human enhancement
NanoFutures
Nanotechnology
Web 2.0

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Human Factors and Ergonomics
Business and International Management
Education
Sociology and Political Science

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10.1016/j.techsoc.2010.07.008

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title = "Envisioning nanotechnology: New media and future-oriented stakeholder dialogue",

abstract = "Nanotechnology promises to transform everyday life, yet there has been little reflection about the dilemmas, trade-offs and complex choices involved. Our project constructed a virtual public engagement platform in order to elucidate perspectives on multiple, plausible visions of human enhancement. Our new media platform operationalized open-source scenario planning to enable diverse communities to assess, critique and debate prospective nanotechnology-enabled products. Extending participation and deliberation through open-source mechanisms was an experiment involving not only an innovation of public engagement but also of traditional scenario planning. By revealing the NanoFutures project design and analysis, this paper explores to what extent this public engagement led to genuine dialogue and illustrates the risks and benefits of using multi-media tools in social science research.",

keywords = "Emerging technologies, Human enhancement, NanoFutures, Nanotechnology, Web 2.0",

author = "Cynthia Selin and Rebecca Hudson",

note = "Funding Information: Social scientists: 4 S members. Lay citizens/Publics: Arizona State University alumni, National Citizens Technology Forum participants. Nano-interested people: Foresight Institute members, the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology community, the Center for Nanotechnology in Society network. Public policy folk: Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes community. NGOs engaged with nanotechnology: identified through Internet research. Nanotechnology experts: scientists and engineers awarded grants through the National Nanotechnology Initiative. ",

year = "2010",

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doi = "10.1016/j.techsoc.2010.07.008",

language = "English (US)",

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journal = "Technology in Society",

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AU - Hudson, Rebecca

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PY - 2010/8

Y1 - 2010/8

N2 - Nanotechnology promises to transform everyday life, yet there has been little reflection about the dilemmas, trade-offs and complex choices involved. Our project constructed a virtual public engagement platform in order to elucidate perspectives on multiple, plausible visions of human enhancement. Our new media platform operationalized open-source scenario planning to enable diverse communities to assess, critique and debate prospective nanotechnology-enabled products. Extending participation and deliberation through open-source mechanisms was an experiment involving not only an innovation of public engagement but also of traditional scenario planning. By revealing the NanoFutures project design and analysis, this paper explores to what extent this public engagement led to genuine dialogue and illustrates the risks and benefits of using multi-media tools in social science research.

AB - Nanotechnology promises to transform everyday life, yet there has been little reflection about the dilemmas, trade-offs and complex choices involved. Our project constructed a virtual public engagement platform in order to elucidate perspectives on multiple, plausible visions of human enhancement. Our new media platform operationalized open-source scenario planning to enable diverse communities to assess, critique and debate prospective nanotechnology-enabled products. Extending participation and deliberation through open-source mechanisms was an experiment involving not only an innovation of public engagement but also of traditional scenario planning. By revealing the NanoFutures project design and analysis, this paper explores to what extent this public engagement led to genuine dialogue and illustrates the risks and benefits of using multi-media tools in social science research.

KW - Emerging technologies

KW - Human enhancement

KW - NanoFutures

KW - Nanotechnology

KW - Web 2.0

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Envisioning nanotechnology: New media and future-oriented stakeholder dialogue

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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