Paul Streeten on “Technological Nightmares, Part 1”

Distinguished Lecture Series

October 7, 2003

Paul Streeten, 2003–2004 Pardee Visiting Professor of Future Studies at the Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future, discusses the topic of technological progress—namely, the negative consequences often attributed to such progress. Advancements in technology are unfairly tied to things like pollution and environmental degradation, he says, and for decades, doomsayers have wrongly predicted that the world is coming to an end.

Streeten insists that economic progress doesn’t have to have negative results. For starters, it’s important to remember that there are benefits to technological advancements, he says, such as the production of new goods, prolonged life, better health, and more. These advancements improve society.

There are also other ways to accomplish economic growth, Streenten says. Our society can opt to produce different kinds of goods, such as hydrogen-fueled cars that don’t pollute the air. Or, quality of goods aside, perhaps we can promote faster production of goods to compensate for negative production effects. Streeten offers several growth options, discussing the merit and practicality of each.

Video length is 01:16:15.

About the Speaker

Paul Streeten is Professor Emeritus of Economics at Boston University, and the founder of the Board of World Development, a consultant to the United Nations Development Program and to UNESCO.  His recent research has been on globalization, international interdependence, foreign investment, aid, trade, sustainable human development, culture and development, and social capital. Prof. Streeten’s previous UN positions include: Director of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, Director of the Institute of Development Studies in Sussex, Deputy Director-General at the Ministry of Overseas Development, and Special Adviser to the World Bank.