Technology and tech companies have been blamed for a myriad of problems, most of which this book exposes as myths, falsehoods and exaggerations.
“Tech Fear and Scapegoating” debunks 40 widely held myths about Big Tech, Big Data, AI, privacy, trust, polarization, automation, and similar fears, and exposes the scapegoating behind them. Authors Robert D. Atkinson and David Moschella provide a balanced analysis of technology’s impact on society, concluding that it is overwhelmingly positive. The book serves as a wake-up call for technology insiders, policymakers, and the general public to restore confidence in technological advancements in the Western world.
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (May 7, 2024)Title: Technology Fears and Scapegoats: 40 Myths about Privacy, Jobs, AI, and Today’s Innovation EconomyAuthors: Robert D. Atkinson and David MoschellaISBN-10: 3031523482ISBN-13: 978-3031523489
Review copies are provided to book reviewers and journalists who plan to write about the book.
“To build a better future, we must believe in a better future. That means reversing today’s anti-technology mindset and restoring America’s faith in scientific progress. This book does both.”
— Marc Andreessen, founder of Netscape and co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz
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“Atkinson and Moschella remind us that now is the time when technology, data and innovation can be key ingredients in solving society’s biggest problems, whether that’s accelerating a clean energy revolution, creating a more equitable healthcare system, or a more open, dynamic economy that rewards entrepreneurship.”
— Aneesh Chopra, President, CareJourney, Former U.S. Chief Technology Officer, and Author of The Innovative State
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“The debate about AI and digital media has swung between utopia (the technology will solve everything!) and dystopia (too much harm we can’t control!). Fortunately, this insightful new book can help experts and laypeople find a research-based middle ground that goes beyond the hype of either extreme: how to harness the opportunities while reducing the dangers.”
— Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Ernest L. Arbuckle Professor of Management at Harvard Business School and author of Think Outside the Building
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“This is an excellent collection of essays about U.S. technology activities, policies, and proposals. I highly recommend this book and believe it is ideal for a wide audience, with college and high school students benefiting greatly from the included chapters.”
—Albert N. Link, Virginia Batt Phillips Distinguished Professor of Economics at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, series editor of Palgrave Advances in the Economics of Innovation and Technology, and co-author of Innovative Activity in Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business
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“It’s odd that we need a book that defends technology and debunks so many of today’s myths, when so much good comes from advances in science and technology. But there’s so much complaint about technology these days that we have to debunk it. And Rob and David do that very well.”
— Bob Metcalfe, inventor of Ethernet and 2022 Turing Award winner
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“Technological advances hold our best hope for a peaceful and prosperous future, especially in changing the trajectory of climate change. Fortunately, there is a wide range of technologies that can help people realize that hope. Unfortunately, there are also many myths that undermine public support for those technologies. Atkinson and Moschella tackle these myths head on. Technology Fears and Scapegoats is a powerful antidote to pessimism about the future, and opens the door to a brighter future.”
— Peter Schwartz, Chief Futures Officer at Salesforce and author of “The Art of the Long View”
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“Atkinson and Moschella have written an important book about an issue that matters to all Americans: success and innovation in the technology industry. They tackle tough questions head on and offer deep insights.”
— Dan Scheinman, Technology Executive, Investor and Advisor
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“Throughout history, emerging technologies have been framed as the source of society’s ills. More recently, we’ve seen a shift from social media criticism of the technology to ‘AI-driven extinction’ hysteria. It’s easy to make sweeping negative generalizations based on conclusive evidence, and even easier to add media scare stories on top of that. The hard part is debunking them. Technology Fears and Scapegoats does an excellent job of combating popular misconceptions, making it essential reading for policymakers.”
— Nirit Weiss Blatt, author of The Techlash and Tech Crisis Communication
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David Moschella, “Don’t Blame Technology for Misinformation, Polarization, and Distrust in Elections,” RealClearPolicy, July 1, 2024. Robert D. Atkinson, “South Korea Shouldn’t Import the Western ‘Techlash’,” The Korea Times, May 31, 2024.
Podcasts
Atkinson appeared on Embracing Digital Transformation to discuss government technology policy with host Darren Pulsipher, Chief Solutions Architect for the Public Sector at Intel. This episode, “Breaking Down Technology Policy Barriers,” aired on July 4, 2024.
Moschella appeared on The China Desk with Steve Yates to discuss the historically unique challenges that China poses to the United States and the West as the world’s largest market, the world’s largest supplier, America’s most formidable competitor in many industries, and a geopolitical and military rival — themes that permeate tech fear and scapegoating. This episode aired on July 2, 2024.
Atkinson and Moschella appeared on AEI’s Shane Tewes’ “Explain to Shane” to discuss fear and scapegoating of technology. The episode, “Busting the Technology Myths,” aired on June 27, 2024.
Moschella appeared on the Everyday AI podcast with Jordan Wilson to discuss misinformation about artificial intelligence, set the truth straight, and put aside fear-mongering to discuss how to use AI ethically. The episode, “Big Tech Critics Get a Lot Wrong About AI,” aired on June 6, 2024.
Atkinson appeared on The Dynamist, a podcast from the Foundation for American Innovation, alongside former FCC policy advisor Evan Schwartztrauber to discuss social media and democracy, small business and innovation, corporate profits, and myths about laissez-faire capitalism. The episode, “Are American ‘free markets’ a myth?”, aired on June 4, 2024.
Atkinson and Moschella appeared on The Bill Walton Show to discuss their book. The episode, “Is Technology a Force for Good or Evil?” aired on May 29, 2024.
Atkinson appeared on the Association of Medical Professionals (MAPS) podcast “Elevate” to discuss the origins of negativity toward the pharmaceutical industry and whether the for-profit model can support both innovation and the benefit of society. The episode, “The Origins and Consequences of Pharmaceutical Industry Myths,” aired on May 28, 2024.
Atkinson appeared on the Tech Policy Podcast to discuss the book with TechFreedom’s Corbin Berthold in the episode “Tech Facts and Fallacies” aired on May 20, 2024.
Atkinson appeared with David Rothkopf on the DSR Network’s Siliconsciousness podcast to discuss widespread misconceptions about AI and its potential impact on all corners of society. The episode, “AI Fears, Scapegoats, and Myths,” aired on May 7, 2024.
Atkinson appeared on the Inglourious Bombers podcast to discuss the threat China poses to Western economies and what Western governments and businesses should do about it. The episode, “We Must Counter the China Challenge,” aired on April 23, 2024.
