Techno-optimism does not breed an Ecological Paradigm

Although attitudes may be shifting toward an ecological paradigm according to Dunlap, we are still loosing species and habitat, possibly facing global degradation because the techno-optimist tend to believe that technology will save the human race.

Since Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, the US economy has grown quite significantly stimulating our national wealth and stability. Our drive for innovation has catalyzed the technological revolution, providing a higher standard of living, allowing the ‘American Dream’ to be realized.

"Investing in the right scientists and the right technologies can improve the human condition quite dramatically." According to Bill Gates as he speaks to motivate the Indonesian people during a Presidential Inauguration speech in 2008. However we need to question his motivations, because they clearly could be financially driven, as his company Microsoft stands to earn billions of dollars during a technological revolution of a 3rd world country as it morphs into a technocratic society.

Find entire essay here:
http://janedapain.net/files/techno-optimism.pdf

MISSING STEM: Fabrics of Social Determinism dominate STEM education from kindergarten through tenure and beyond to NASA

From the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education gender gap, to saturation overload in media and technology, students in American schools are slipping behind in STEM education. Our brightest minds may not be challenged, even worse, they may never go inspired to create, develop or invent our nations next source of income, or better yet, our national pride.

We live in a time where technology is everywhere, and our economic wealth today, is partly because of our success at being an innovation-nation in technology and systems development. Since President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act in 1958 we have seen a great rise in access to education especially in STEM subjects for all United States Citizens. However, in the last two decades, there has been a downward trend in the number of students graduating with STEM degrees, as well as proficiency in STEM subjects for students in public school. Similar to the drake equation which evaluates the possibilities of life in the universe; the reasons why STEM is loosing ground is the United States has a multitude of possibilities. We will examine several key factors in why the social fabrics of ‘determinism’ (The philosophical docterine that every event, act, and decision is the inevitable consequence of anteccedents that are independent of the human will.) still dominate STEM education from Kindergarden through tenure and beyond to NASA.

Read entire essay here:
Missing STEM: Fabrics of Social Determinism dominate STEM education
from kindergarten through tenure and beyond to NASA

Saturation Overload, the Ethical Dilemma of the Technological Revolution

Synopsis: Impacts of technologies and digital innovation are now starting to be seen for the first time in the post-techno world. Social, cultural and environmental hazards are guiding our technological revolution toward, corporate and product control, network collapse and a technology gap. Media and digital technologies lack ethics today, and thus saturation overload has taken hold of our daily lives, now it threatens our society with a learning deficit in technology. However, the solution presents its self in art education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), allowing students to create deeper understanding of ethics and inventive behavior.

Read the essay here:
Saturation Overload: The Ethical Dilemma of the Technological Revolution

EDITORIAL: More than movies at the backdoor Theater?

After visiting the community Center last week to discuss the possibility of throwing an event in the Theater, I was very disappointed to find that the Backdoor Theater has gained a monopoly over this important community space. I have also learned that the Backdoor Theater no longer holds nonprofit organizations status. this concerns me deeply as a Nederland resident and as a person who would like to see other local events thrown in that space. Projects like the Carousel are going to Boulder to the Dairy Center for the Arts and the Boulder Theater for their events because they can not gain access to the Community Center Theater on Friday or Saturday nights. I think that the Community Center should give access to all parties interested in having events and performances in the Theater, and those interested parties should not have to negotiate with the Backdoor Theater to have one of the weekend nights for use. I realize that the Backdoor theater has a lot of community support, they have been here a long time and that their events have the right to be there too, but they do not have the right as a 'private business' to monopolize a 'community space' for the entire weekend. I also know that they do not fill the house each and every night, and this does not suggest that they actually need that much space, for the weekend. The misuse of this space is limiting Nederland greatly in the kinds of cultural events that could be frequenting our community theater. I would like to suggest that the Backdoor Theater consider operations one night a week or one weekday and one weekend night a week. I would like to see other events happening in this space, I would like to see Nederland use this community center to it's fullest potential. I would like to see a fair and just lease with the Backdoor Theater. the Backdoor Theater's lease with the Community Center is up for renewal this December, and I encourage others to speak out before a new lease is signed. I believe this community event should continue without limiting the access of other community events in the same space. Saturday should be a community day the most popular day of the week should be available to the widest possible variety of events. Lets see what Nederland is made of, lets see what we can bring to this great new theater and community space, I'm counting on YOU! Come to the Town Counsel meeting next Tuesday to help discuss this issue, it should be on the agenda.