This book discusses how some of the topics taught in a conventional physics course have been used to solve interesting technical problems in industry, medicine, agriculture, transportation, and other areas of society. The topics include heat, optics, magnetism and electricity, nuclear physics, and sound. (MLH)

The title of this book derives its name from Hephaestus, the Greek god of fire and metalworking, who had a pronounced limp. Focusing on science and technology in the eighties, the first chapter of this book uses Hephaestus as a focal point since he was entrusted with the development and maintenance of key technologies and with keeping society…

Relationships among science, technology, society, and policy makers are explored within this book. Readings were selected to focus primarily on technological policy rather than on science policy. More specifically, the book looks at technological change in relation to society and to American government. The readings are therefore oriented toward…

The author reflects on the declining appreciation of the humanities in light of the major role which technology plays in our lives today. Three issues related to this problem are identified: what educators should do about the loss of our literary heritage, what values operate in our technological society, and whether faith in man's unconquerable…

This book covers a representative sample of the types of technology developed by the South African Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). It is divided into five sections: (1) "Introduction" (Andries R. van den Berg); (2) "Technology for Education and Training" (A. Cecilia Bouwer); (3) "Technology for Managing Human…

The control of technology over the physical environment is investigated in this seminar paper. Technological control creates a psychological paradox for man, making him feel helpless and incompetent. The dilemma of helplessness is emphasized because man's main environment is social and/or interpersonal rather than physical. Individual competence…

This seminar paper explores the relationship between technology and society, based on the position that man has not developed a social system that gives adequate guidance to technology. The hypothesis is that if technology has no priority, then it has no purpose. Talcott Parsons' concepts of functional imperatives and pattern variables are…

During its 1972 annual meeting in Washington, D.C., the American Association for the Advancement of Science sponsored a community information exposition, titled Capital City Readout, on the role of science and technology in local social problems. The exposition sought to explore various ways to exchange information about problems and policy issues…

The collective theme of these seven essays calls for a new perspective on science and technology so that they are dedicated to the pursuit of truth and human liberties rather than to power, control, and exploitation. The authors of the essays are with various international development and research centers and projects in seven countries. John…

The infusion of technology into society has created social and environmental problems as well as benefits. Four concerns linked with technology are discussed in this paper: rising unemployment, growing social inequalities, dwindling oil and gas reserves, and potential long-term ecological problems. Indiscriminate transfer of modern labor-saving…

Questions of technology and change are explored in approximately 70 essays written by university and research scholars, consumer advocates, political philosophers, engineers, and bureaucrats. The book is part of a multimedia series developed to present college level course material to the general public through cooperation of newspapers, public…

The American educational system increasingly shapes individuals to fit a production-consumption system. Most educators believe that education should provide career training and the basis for economic advancement, rather than reflect on past events. The questions--who we are, why we are here, and where we are going--are seldom discussed in public…

The commitment of educators to human development goals is a major theme of the booklet's 17 essays. Compiled from lectures written by the author during 1974-77, the essays explore individual potential, the cultural significance of various life situations, and personal fulfillment within each individual's particular landscape of work, experience,…