song for theme #46A: The Technological Fix Mentality

“Technology Runaway” by Stephen P. Cook

sung to the tune of a medley of  (first nine verses) “Runaround Sue” by Ernie Maresca and Dion DiMucci

and (last three verses) “Runaway” by Del Shannon

What I value, the way it oughta be

Solving problems with technology

Bringing nature under our control

More human comfort, that’s our goal

We started making tools long ago

Then tamed fire, made it friend not foe

Lives made better harnessing energy

The story of our technology

With technology

We break new ground

If it doesn’t work we put it down¹

Learning from mistakes we get wise

That’s why our species

Our species it flies

Industrial revolution made with steam

Then computer age, living our dream

Smart technology using our brain

Easier lives, living with less pain

Third world poor

May be digging a ditch

But Wall Street folks

They’re getting rich

Running it all

With cheap fossil fuel

They see the profits, not the C O two

With technology

We break new ground

If it doesn’t work we put it down

Learning from mistakes we get wise

That’s why our species

Our species it flies

I know you worry

‘bout climate change

We’ll set our sights on it, get it in range

We’ll put giant mirrors up in space²

Hey, don’t doubt the human race

I know you worry ‘bout inequality

And injustice causing instability

We can reprogram human DNA³

Make us kinder, make greed go away

With technology

We break new ground

If it doesn’t work we put it down

Learning from mistakes we get wise

That’s why our species

Our species it flies

I imagine looking back

Seeing we got off track

Our technology, what did it lack? 

This world’s getting too hot

A few rich, many have not

I don’t like

What our money’s bought

I see it going down the drain

More people feeling real pain

I’m asking you to think with me

About remaking technology

As I ponder

I pah-pah-pah-pah ponder

A way

A wah-wah-wah-wah way

Us finding a way

To stop this runaway

Technology runaway

I hope we can find a way

I’m asking you to think with me

About remaking technology

Giving it a more human face

Us living with dignity and grace

As I ponder

I pah-pah-pah-pah ponder

A way

A wah-wah-wah-wah way

Us finding a way

To stop this runaway

Technology runaway

I hope we can find a way

I hope we can find a way

SONG—NOTES / COMMENTS

1—This line and the next one provide the rough idea behind feedback, the heart of the scientific method.

2—A geoengineering proposal to combat Earth's manmade enhanced greenhouse effect induced global warming using space-

      based mirrors to reflect unwanted solar radiation back into space and cool the planet.

3—Scientists have begun modifying genes—a technology with great potential benefits and risks. Given bioethical concerns,

      society may outlaw certain human genetic engineering procedures such as cloning but permit some tweaking of human DNA.   

Comment:  Personalities built around “can do” optimistic confidence—those that tend to respond to certain stresses as challenges to overcome, rather than as insurmountable obstacles—might value this theme.