Science &
Technology
“ It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the
age of wisdom and the age of foolishness, it was the season of
light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it
was the winter of despair .”
- Charles Dickens in Tales of two cities
“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
but in ourselves.”
SCIENCE AND SOCIETY
• Economic Development - Role of ISRO in eco. progress
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing."
- Einstein
• Healthcare - Vaccines, Polio, Preventive diseases
A kid born in New Delhi today can expect to live as long today as the richest man in the world did
100 years ago.
But there is the emergence of ‘beauty products’ - reverse ageing, fairness, get slimmer technology
feeds on to the insecurities and strengthens the stereotypes.
“A machine knows about my body before I do
• Political - Cambridge Analytica - Data Analytics for Political
Campaigning
EVMs and VVPAT
Increased Surveillance (Pegasus Issue) - Against Right to Privacy
• Environment -
Denmark’s breakthrough in renewable energy sector
On the other hand, issues of environmental degradation, climate change, pollution. Human
evolution at once looks extraordinary, how a species that took 1000s of years to walk straight, has
learnt tobend nature to its will.
“When the last tree is cut, the last fish killed, the last river poisoned, then you will see you can’t eat
money” - John May
Issues: Ozone Layer Depletion, Gene Editing Consequences, Chemical Weapons
• Education -
Atal Innovation Mission/ National Education Policy, 2020
• National Security -
"Technology is the great engine of change in the world today. It opens new opportunities
for nations to build their economic strength and military power." - Carter
• Global Competitiveness -
Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum, noted, "In the new world, it is not
the big fish which eats the small fish, it's the fast fish which eats the slow fish."
Countries like the United States and China invest heavily in AI, biotechnology, and nanotechnology to
maintain competitive advantages. Taiwan/Korea in Semiconductor
• Helps Marginalized Community -
"The digital revolution is the first revolution in history that has empowered individuals
rather than governments or corporations." - Jimmy Wales
UPI/Drone Didis/Agri-tech/Disaster Management/e-Commerce for Tribal Art
Bandicoot robot for cleaning manholes in TN - human-controlled
Smokeless Stoves - Unnat Chulha Abhiyan
Human evolution at once looks extradordinary, how a species that took 1000s of years to walk
upright, in 2 centuries learnt to launch himself into space, traverse the deep oceans and and
control Mother Nature
• TECHNOLOGY AND EMPLOYMENT
Impact of technology on workforce dynamics, automation, and skill development.
• Helps Marginalized Community -
"The digital revolution is the first revolution in history that has empowered individuals
rather than governments or corporations." - Jimmy Wales
UPI/Drone Didis/Agri-tech/Disaster Management/e-Commerce for Tribal Art
Bandicoot robot for cleaning manholes in TN - human-controlled
Smokeless Stoves - Unnat Chulha Abhiyan
Human evolution at once looks extradordinary, how a species that took 1000s of years to walk
upright, in 2 centuries learnt to launch himself into space, traverse the deep oceans and and
control Mother Nature.
Technology & Employment
Impact of technology on workforce dynamics, automation, and skill development.
Cybersecurity, Digital Ethics:
Ethical considerations in cyberspace, internet governance, and privacy issues.
Ethical Considerations:
1. Data Privacy: KS Puttuswamy Case; GDPR by EU is benchmark
2. Digital Divide: across gender and region
3. Monopoly: “We must ensure that the Internet remains open and global." – Vint Cerf
4. Surveillance: "Big Brother is watching you." – George Orwell, 1984
5. Value out of Data: "Data is the new oil." – Clive Humby
Technology & Employment
Impact of technology on workforce dynamics, automation, and skill development.
Cybersecurity, Digital Ethics:
Ethical considerations in cyberspace, internet governance, and privacy issues.
Ethical Considerations:
1. Data Privacy: KS Puttuswamy Case; GDPR by EU is benchmark
2. Digital Divide: across gender and region
3. Monopoly: “We must ensure that the Internet remains open and global." – Vint Cerf
4. Surveillance: "Big Brother is watching you." – George Orwell, 1984
5. Value out of Data: "Data is the new oil." – Clive Humby
HOW?
Take examples from Aadhar Debates, AI in Policing, Gene Editing, Fake News etc.
Artificial Intelligence: Balancing AI advancements with job creation, reskilling, and
societal implications.
Technology in International Relations:
Geopolitical dimensions of technology, digital diplomacy, and global influence.
Communication, Meetings, Diplomacy - SCO/ BRICS Summits in backdrop of pandemic
Cybersecurity and Cyberwarfare - stuxnet virus attack on Iran’s nuclear facility
Trade: e-commerce, fintech, blockchain etc
"Trade is the communication of nations." – Henry Clay
Global Health: Vaccine DiplomacyEnvironmental Collaboartions - International Solar Alliance
Soft Power: Naatu Naatu on Reels, Meme Diplomacy
Arms Race
Social and Personal Impacts: Influence of social media, digital identities, and
psychological effects of technological advancements.
Human Rights/ Social Movements: "The Internet is a powerful tool for the
advancement of human rights." – Navi Pillay
Ex: MeToo Movement, Porsche Case (Pune)
Issues arising due to anonymity and lack of authenticity: Online
Bullying, Trolls etc.
Social Media as a medium of social mobility: Influencers
Mental Health: Studies have linked excessive social media use to anxiety, depression, and
loneliness.
FOMO (Fear of Missing Out): Social media can create a constant sense of
missing out, leading to stress and dissatisfaction.
Addiction: The dopamine-driven feedback loops of social media can lead to addictive behaviours,
affecting productivity and real-life relationships.
"Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master."
Manipulative Design: The Netflix documentary "The Social Dilemma" highlights how social
media platforms are designed to capture attention and influence behaviour.
"There are only two industries that call their customers 'users': illegal drugs and software."
Changes in social institutions: VC with families, e-Darshan
Akbar dismissed the Guttenberg press, and Jahangir turned down the water lift. Indian sailors
showed little interest in adopting the compass and other maritime innovations from Europeans.
Consequently, in less than a century and a half, India fell under the dominion of those same
Europeans!
“Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power, we have guided missiles and misguided men”
- Martin Luthr King Jr
Article 51A (8), states: Fundamental Duty
“To develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.”