by I was woken up by the creepy sound of alarm clock my phone. After getting myself two pieces of toast by using toaster, I decided to turn on my laptop to watch the new internet drama. For lunch, I order a pizza online and it was sent to my house via delivery service. After receiving the books that I bought on Amazon, I realized it’s time for me to take courses. I logged in my ZOOM account in hurry and got ready for my lessons.
This is just an example of one of my ordinary day. However, it can be clearly seen that technology has become an indivisible part of our everyday life and has come to pervade every nook and corner in any aspects. All of these technologies are driven by the innovation of science, and all of those aspects in our life made up of the society. Thus, a clear connection seems to be established between these three terms.
Now, human beings are creating a more and more complex world that themselves can no longer control. People used to think carefully before taking action, but now, the gradually lowering cost of regret allow people to click the “undo” button easier. We can use “delete” to clear unwanted lines, use “recall” to rescind sent messages, and press the shutter again and again until take a perfect photo we want. However, this seems impossible back years go. In addition, there’s no enough time for us to look on the whole picture beforehand. Decades before, scientists are said to be those few people who stand at the forefront of the age, but now, many people are engaged in the field of scientific research, all of these makes the world progresses in a fast pace that is merely out of control. This can be reflected in both science and technology. In the term of science, Jiankui He’s genetically altered fetus can be a great example. He had created the first human genetically-edited babies who are immune to AIDS, which brings severe moral debates. In the term of technology, the atomic bomb exploded in Hiroshima and Nagasaki during WWII, and the widely-used artificial intelligence also brings many concerns.
As science are stepping forward too fast, thinking carefully has become an extravagant thing. The result is that there are too many things that need more consideration. Some of these is about moral dilemma, while the other could be related to the society. What could be the consequence if this keeps going? No one knows. However, I want to quote two of my favorite sentences which makes me think a lot.
Science has made us gods even before we are worthy of being men. ~Jean Rostand
Science without conscience is the soul’s perdition. ~François Rabelais, Pantagruel, 1572
So, how could we become “worthy enough of being men/women”, or possess the “conscience”? The answer is probably the reason why STS appears as a course of many universities and colleges. Back to the question, what is STS?
This question can simply be answered by “an interdisciplinary field that focuses on science, technology and society”. However, in my understanding, things are more complicated. These three terms shouldn’t be placed together. Instead, I think “understand how science affected technologies, and considered them referring to the society” could be a better interpretation. Science is mainly about the past and present, Technology stands for present, while Society is about now and future. Not only looking at the past and present, but also focusing on the future, the possibilities, and the influences that science, as well as technologies it brings, could have on the entire world.
As a STS student, I think this is an important course, because it serves as a deal preparation for life in a world “constantly being shaped and reshaped by science and technology.” Just like what have been mention previously, without careful consideration, I am afraid that in the end, human beings will create a “Frankenstein”, a complicated world that no one can hold anymore.