Grand Visions and Lilliput Politics: Staging the Exploration of 'the Endless Frontier'

摘要: The paper outlines a sociological analysis of politics and rhetorics accompanying the genesis nanotechnology as latest research policy priority. It gives an account certain traits events linked to NNI initiative, being conceived ‘gatekeeping activities’ in relation its emerging societal agenda. Further, it demonstrates how these become permeated by self-replication controversy. In attempt situate present appropriation ‘nano’ also wider transformation, proceeds taking stock changing science-society relations. reviews passing some current debates on new mode knowledge production heralding ‘scientific citizenship’. 1. Navigating ‘Spaces between’ “As ‘the Hermes modern scholarships’ (i.e. prominent interpreter mediation, translation multiplicity), French philosopher Michel Serres has made quest for connections between science humanities his lifelong mission.” There is understanding nothing like smooth ‘interface’ those two domains human knowledge. sometimes communication, but non-communication static. Pursuing this, set himself task exploring landscapes which are rough, variable, baffling; where there interesting ‘spaces between’. rough unruly conditions NorthWest Passage here provide key metaphor: “Between hard sciences so-called passage resembles jagged shore, sprinkled with ice, variable” (Serres 1981). At stage technoscience, sociologists, philosophers, ethicists historians increasing extent invited up or accompany expeditions heading towards waters nature culture intersect. This can be traced back widened political recognition importance open ‘Pandora’s Box Science Technology’ before stream inventions released transform society full-scale. As example broad-based demonstration prospective policy, one could think mobilization recent years investigation control nanoscale. Whereas uncertainty, irregularities, unexpected fractures permeate Serres’ Passage, nano policies now launched politicians, civil servants other stakeholders fueled visions smoothness reliable navigation safely steer clear obstacles. architects initiatives confidently declare that this time we will avoid future frictions, controversies outbursts public mistrust (such H. Glimell: Grand Visions Lilliput Politics 232 experienced geneticists nuclear scientists) “making everything right from start”. metaphor may serve, I suggest, useful antidote media ‘nano’. Although playing down roughness glossing over inherent features naivete accommodating contemporary ‘hypes’ around technologies, they should not allowed too much leeway when comes scholarly accounts intersections humanities. No matter very desirable interfaces appear, remains critical social scientists recognize existence implications spaces From here, follows. first destination, American National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) visited. therefore about ‘bringing in’, – echoing Coffin King’s smashing hit 1962 invention Roco-motion’. next destination specific outgrowth ‘societal implications’ looked into further. am going ask came place, raise more impertinent still largely question what kind activities judged appropriate realm, or: who there? doing that, describe detail safeguarding including reconstruct controversy underpinning micropolitics. Next short tour through debate sciencesociety relation, referred ‘mode production’. Certain constructs such science’ citizenship’ introduced socio-political transformation. finish part elaborating bit idea technoscience ‘context implication’ becoming important application’. That offer links Serres, while serving bridge my sketch things consider setting out ‘discover nanoscale’. 2. Bringing ‘Nano’ (the Invention Roco-motion’) “We nothing”, reads text poster facing enter spacious hall Nanoelectronics Centre at Chalmers Institute Technology Goteborg, housing most advanced laboratories nanometer-based Europe. makes good joke course, witty reference fact just minutely vibration-protected building, under spell processes place scale 80000 times smaller than width hair. Also, anyone familiar flood read irony poster, since indeed offered outbreak ‘techno-babble’ closer ‘next everything’ nothing’. stunning success been embedded zigzagging glorious past’ unique opportunity today’. extensive material gathered during series workshops, references legends Vannevar Bush famous manifesto 1940s (Bush 1945), academic champions Richard Feynman. But above all, humankind’s predicament said require extraordinary action commitment. Almost mantra, phrases repeated Age Transitions, must move forward if fall behind”. One walks well-known road claiming societies’ dependence scientists’ authorative sustain citizens’ welfare. Beyond embraces points history have 233 shoulder our common fate grappling risks: “At times, take great intellectual risks, unusual even unreasonable ideas, because scientific method testing theories empirically ultimately distinguish ideas bad ones” (Roco 2001). grandiose scope was outset manifested nine ‘Grand Challenges’, wrapped ‘airy’ clearly under-socialized technological visions. Certainly no phenomenon conjunction policy. necessary gallery, instrumental drawing attention candidate top charts. case, however, instead moderating hype once money there, escalated it. December 2001, NNI-general Roco help experts workshop, further inflate bella donna. building blocks all found nanoscale, could, claimed, pulling barriers major provinces science, accomplish radical improvements life. By chance, coincided four invogue areas nano-bio-info-cogno. Instead potent forth fully irresistible NBIC empire. Only shortly after launch ‘endless frontier’ then, recast merely precursor ultimate ‘endless-ness’ endeavor & Bainbridge 2002). ‘NBIC’-vision making progress look rather pale comparison. ‘Lilliput Politics’ Politics’, vice versa. simply limit utopian qualities synergistic combination add yet so imperfect world, truly powerfully able energize another: Entirely categories materials, devices systems use manufacturing, construction, transportation, medicine, [...] engineered biological manufacture valuable materials union nanotechnology, biotechnology computer create “bio-nano processors” programming complex pathways chip mimic cellular processes. Virtual reality augmented technology allow visualize cell inside, see exactly manipulate individual protein molecules nanostructures. ubiquitous network collects offers diverse kinds information multiple modalities, every-where instantly any moment. Bainbridge,