The American Technological Challenge : Stagnation and Decline in the 21st Century

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Vijg, Jan.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Culture.

Politics and culture.

Politics.

Technology and civilization--History--21st century.

Technology and civilization.

Technology.

Local Subjects:

Culture.

Politics and culture.

Politics.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (260 p.)

Place of Publication:

New York : Algora Publishing, 2011.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The American Technological Challenge - Stagnation and Decline in the 21st Century refutes the myth that we live in the most innovative of times. Inventions themselves are only one of the factors that determine the technological fate of a society. Sometimes, inventions are adopted, and eagerly; sometimes not. The history of technological progress, and the historical and societal factors that impel or restrain the adoption of inventions, are explored in the book. New, life-changing inventions have become rare and in spite of ample vocal support of innovation, an increasingly complacent society h

Contents:

TABLE OF CONTENTS; PROLOGUE - WHY I WROTE THIS BOOK; PART ONE - BROKEN PROMISES; CHAPTER 1. RETRO TECHNOLOGY: THE FACTS OF INNOVATION; Measuring technological progress; Great expectations!; CHAPTER 2. ENERGY: A MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE; Always 50 years away!; CHAPTER 3. TRANSPORTATION: FAST FORWARD INTERRUPTED; Up in the air; Fly me to the moon; CHAPTER 4. MODERN MEDICINE: STUCK IN A RUT?; CHAPTER 5. THE INFORMATION REVOLUTION: HOPE OR HYPE?; Artificial intelligence; CHAPTER 6. A CRISIS OF SUCCESS: THE CAUSES OF A TECHNOLOGY SLOWDOWN; Is there a natural end to progress?; Vested interests

A victim of our own successPART TWO - PARALLEL WORLDS; CHAPTER 7. HUMAN ORIGINS: RIDING THE WAVES OF TECHNOLOGY; The Neolithic revolution; Cities, states and empires; CHAPTER 8. THE MIDDLE KINGDOM: RISE AND DECLINE OF A TECHNOLOGY POWERHOUSE; Needham's paradox; CHAPTER 9. RISE AND FALL: ROME AS THE GREAT SYNTHESIZER; CHAPTER 10. AGAINST ALL ODDS: THE RISE OF EUROPE; Moslem assistance; CHAPTER 11. EUROPE AND THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION; EPILOGUE - SHATTERED DREAMS: THE FUTURE OF INNOVATION; Consequences of a decline in technological progress; A return to instability?

Can we be successful and still innovative?TABLE 1: LIST OF MACRO-INVENTIONS SINCE 10,000 BC; ACKNOWLEDGMENTS; BIBLIOGRAPHY; INDEX

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

ISBN:

0-87586-887-8

OCLC:

756484268