Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 10
Negative Technology: Possibilities
for a Contribution from Eco-Ethica—A
Combination of Ethics and the Invisible
Noriko Hashimoto
Abstract The characteristic feature of the end of the twentieth century is a
modernized, systematized society for the development of technology. By preserv-
ing the character of instrumentality, technological cohesion or conjuncture is our
new circumstance. New phenomena have arisen such as technological abstraction, a
separation of function from form, and cards with many functions. Until the twen-
tieth century, technologists looked for new technology as a positive way to create
artifacts. But in the twenty-first century, it is necessary to think about negative
technology (technica negativa). Negative technology is no longer a theoretical idea
but a practical project. After Fukushima, we must concern ourselves about safety
and close the nuclear facilities. Such a project must be a negation of positive
technology, but this negativity should be turned to be positive.
Keywords Abstraction • Eco-ethica • Metatechnica • Negative technology
• Technological conjuncture
10.1
Introduction
On 11 March 2011, I experienced the extraordinary earthquake and tsunami in
Japan. I have never experienced such a strong earthquake with complicated move-
ments. Even now, I can feel and remember the awful trembling from the depths.
When I saw the documentary videos of tsunami, which I could never watch at that
time, I was moved and feel a profound sympathy with people in stricken areas. And
when in 2013, the disaster in the Philippine islands occurred in the wake of global
warming, we Japanese had the earthquake and tsunami in mind. I am sure that
disasters we are experiencing these days from the global and climate problems will
change our worldview and turn people's thinking upside down. In other words, our
view of the world necessarily changed quickly, but it is also fortunate for us to live
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