The University of Michigan Seven Deadly Sins Event Series in Second Life begins with our keynote speaker, Andrew Maynard, on March 8, 2011 at 2pm EST (11AM SLT). The presentation will be held at the new Wolverine Auditorium. Andrew's presentation, Seven Deadly Sins of a Techno-Complacent Society. Reflections of a pessimistic optimist, promises to be both witty and wise.



Description

Science and technology are transforming our world faster than ever before. Yet for all our technological brilliance, are we really in control of our destiny? Do we have the wherewithal to steer a course between a future techno-heaven and techno-hell? Or are we so caught up in our technological infatuation that we have become insensitive to the future consequences of our actions?

Inspired by the “seven deadly sins” of the ancient world, Andrew Maynard takes a wry look at the challenges of using science and technology to build a sustainable future – while avoiding “fiery pit” of techno-failure. Among his seven deadly sins of a techno-complacent society: sucker-syndrome, soppy thinking, and blind faith.

About Andrew

Andrew Maynard directs the University of Michigan Risk Science Center, and is the Charles and Rita Gelman Risk Science Professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Something of an expert in risk science, he specializes in the safe and sustainable development of emerging technologies, including esoteric-sounding technologies such as nanotechnology, synthetic biology and geoengineering. Andrew has testified before the U.S. Congress on nanotechnology, chairs the World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Emerging Technologies, and serves on a gluttony of review and advisory panels. He’s also written a stack of papers, reports and articles, and occasionally appears on TV and Radio – although not as much as he thinks he should! If asked to confess his most deadly sin, it would probably be an overabundance of humility.

Andrew's Seven Deadly Sins

1. Widget-Envy
2. Sucker-syndrome
3. Soppy thinking
4. Megalomania
5. Techno-hubris
6. Blind faith
7. Intolerance

More information about Andrew's "sins" is available at his blog.

2020science: Crowdsourcing "sinful" images for a tech talk.

2020science: The Seven Deadly Sins of Techno-Complacency — March 8