The Double Helix: Technology and Democracy in the American Future [Paperback]

E. Wenk Jr. (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 26, 1999 | ISBN-10: 1567504310 | ISBN-13: 978-1567504316

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

John. H. Gibbons, Retired Science Advisor to President Clinton
Wenk shows that technology and democracy are intimately related and... both merit more attention than we are currently providing.

George Lindamood, Vice President, Information Executive Program, Gartner Group
Ed wenk has married his extraordinary understanding of technology to his deep love of democracy to produce a wonderful book.

A.R.C. Westwood, CEO Research Councils, U.K.
This book is a wake-up call for today... and a primer for a better tomorrow... a must read for both aspiring and practicing politicians, engineers, and humanists.

Book Description

Examines causes and offers remedies to strengthen self-government and restore politics as the public life of a people.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 235 pages
• Publisher: Elsevier Science (April 26, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567504310
• ISBN-13: 978-1567504316
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,173,755 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent look at technology's effects on American democracy, May 8, 2000

By 

Megan (Henderson, NV) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Double Helix: Technology and Democracy in the American Future (Paperback)

Reviewed in Northwest Science & Technology magazine, Spring 2000 issue

Technology, 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 conflicts of interest, Wenk says, and the information is less complete as the information bites get smaller.

Even if there is reliable information, it is seldom being transformed into understanding, Wenk says; that process takes time, time that is no longer provided in our high-speed, high-tech culture.

The underlying theme of Wenk's book is that without informed citizens, democracy cannot work. Without a shared vision of what the future should be like, we cannot work together to achieve it. And, Wenk argues, without a shared social conscience, only short term, self-centered decisions will be made.

Where does technology fit in this puzzle? Wenk pins at least some of the blame for these cultural changes on the capitalistic economy, primarily driven by technology. Technology has helped create a culture that demands instant gratification. We can quickly go anywhere we want by automobile or plane; we can easily get anything we want over the phone or through the Internet; we can instantly find any amusement we'd like from television or the Web.

The speed of today's technology does not foster long-term planning or self-sacrifice to the greater good, both of which are necessary for democracy to function, Wenk says. We need to think of the effects of our decisions for our progeny, consider what we will leave for our children.

But, Wenk says, turning technology off isn't a viable option, but neither is relying on more technology to solve the problem. Wenk is still optimistic that the human spirit can triumph when tested--can rise to the occasion. To achieve this, he calls for reform in industry, government and the media.

He points out the many ways that business and government have been partners, benefiting both. Wenk realizes that without a democratic government, business as we know it cannot survive. Industry and government need to learn to work together toward a common goal.

The media also have a role to play in preserving democracy, Wenk says. To function correctly, democracy requires accurate and trustworthy information. The media need to rise above the short-term emphasis on the scandal of the day to provide the in-depth information citizens need to make decisions.

But most of all, Wenk sees that societal change relies on the intervention of religious institutions and universities. To bring about the changes in the other spheres will require a new shared vision. Both religious institutions and universities are in a perfect position to teach civility and ethics, Wenk says.

Wenk does an excellent job of bringing the problem of technology and democracy into sharp focus. Although we are confronted with technology on a daily basis, we seldom think about the consequences. Wenk's long scientific, political and academic career gave him a unique vantage point to consider these consequences, and he doesn't like what he sees.

Wenk is a true believer in American democracy, and he realizes that the cultural changes brought about by increased technology are not compatible with increased democracy. But despite the me-first, instant gratification society that technology has created, Wenk is still confident that, working together, we have the power to return to our forefathers' shared vision of a democratic union, with liberty and justice for all.