Ronald Bailey is the science correspondent for Reason magazine. I have had the pleasure of knowing Ron for several years. He is the very model of a modern libertarian: gentle and entertaining in presence and astonishingly well informed. I find it very frustrating to reason with Ron. He is always confusing me with arguments and evidence.
Last week Professor Schaff and I interviewed Ron on Spotlight@Northern. I believe the show is running now on channel 12. It isn't up yet on the NSU TV website, but it will be soon. You can find it here. This was our first interview recorded by means of Skype. Ron was coming to us from his living room in Charlottesville, Virginia. The very fact that this was possible tends to confirm some of Ron's views about technology, a fact that he was not too shy to point out.
I would direct your attention to his recent post on Reason about fracking.
Citizens who are concerned that fracking -- pumping a mixture of water, sand, and small amounts of chemicals into deep wells to break open natural gas and oil supplies -- should be happy with the findings of a new study just released at the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference today.
Ron is being a bit funny here. "Citizens who are concerned" about fracking includes people living near the wells and environmental activists who are basically opposed to any new sources of fossil fuels. Neither is likely to be much interested in good news about fracking. Still, the good news is good news.
I would also direct your attention to a debate at The New Atlantis, a remarkable journal on science and politics. You can find Ron's article "The Case for Enhancing People" here. See also Benjamin Storey's reply. Here is Bailey's closing paragraph:
The very good news is that the history of the last two centuries has shown that technological advance has been far more beneficial than harmful for humanity. The development of age-retardation and other enhancement technologies will be further steps along that encouraging progressive path. We should all have the right to choose to use or not use new technologies to help us and our families flourish. Is humanity ready for enhancements like radically longer life spans? We're about as ready as we'll ever be. In other words: yes.
Ron combines a robust optimism about technological progress with a profound commitment to individual liberty. That is a powerful mix. Conservatives are not known for their optimism. I once took a political identify survey which identified me as a conservative with libertarian leanings. I think that was about right.
I certainly agree with Ron that technological advance has been far more beneficial than harmful for humanity. I would go so far as to say that the only viable way out of the problems that that advance creates is through the further advance. There is no going back without catastrophe. Still, I am more concerned than he is about the delicate conditions of human dignity and flourishing as they are affected by radical change. I know a lot of conservatives who are much more doubtful. For anyone who shares these concerns, Ronald Bailey is required reading.
Sound like an interesting guy. Technology of course is not a quibble. Far from taking sides as to whether or not it "has been more good for us than bad" it is in fact what defines us as a species and dictates which aspects of our culture will advance. We are approaching a time where the concept of humanity and technology are inseperable (...he types pensively and ironically into a little box on a computer interface to an unkown audience, more or less unconcerned with the correctness of his keystrokes, the validity of his claim, or the fact that he really should be showering and shaving right now...)
Posted by: Bill Fleming | Monday, February 20, 2012 at 08:09 AM
The significant findings of the study and your admission is that the drill casing and surface facilities are to blame for the pollution that has cropped up. But that's been pretty clear for a long time. These are the very things exempted from Clean Water Act regulation, and why Clean Water Act Regulation should apply. It's good to know you agree.
Posted by: Donald Pay | Monday, February 20, 2012 at 08:23 PM
Bill: I agree in part and dissent in part. Yes, technology is so much a part of what we are now that we can hardly conceive of our existence without it. However, the emergence of technological society was hardly necessary and there is nothing that makes its continuation inevitable. Islamic societies were once far advanced in comparison to the Christian West. Those societies eventually gave it up. There are other examples. The forces of counter-enlightenment are always at work.
Donald: The question is not whether digging wells involves problems but whether fracking involves special problems of its own. Apparently, this is one problem that it does not have to solve.
Posted by: Ken Blanchard | Monday, February 20, 2012 at 10:42 PM