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Federal Advisory Committees »

Reopen the Office of Technology Assessment

Why Is This Idea Important?: Technology is too important to be left to the technocrats. At the same time, technology can be complicated and people feel that because they can't really understand it, the technological people will make the decisions for them and, in an act of faith, assume that the decisions will be the right ones, ones that will provide benefit for all of us.

The Office of Technology Assessment was a respected nonpartisan office whose job was supplying information to congress about upcoming technological possibilities including both opportunities and risk. It was defunded in the 1980's. Arguably the role a new and enhanced OTA would serve is more important than ever. A new OTA would help serve as an important mediator of information to congress and to the publc and improve the quality and quantity of participation in public deliberation over the introduction of technological systems.

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Submitted by douglas 2 years ago

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Comments (1)

  1. darlene said:

    yes! But, let's open a 21st Century, participatory OTA...one that uses available technologies and proven techniques to open dialogue with the public so Congress is provided insights into a broader spectrum of views. http://sciencecheerleader.com/re_open_the_ota_sign_the_petition/

    2 years ago
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