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July 19, 2007

Technology policy in America

Are there other think tanks working with the issue of technology policy and the ideas of freedom? In Europe issues about science, technology and the future are often seen as unimportant, and policy work is about reacting to the usual political process, rather than supplying it with "the next big idea".

But there are indeed some think tanks exploring new options, and taking on new policy areas. Eudoxa's Waldemar Ingdahl made an interview with Sonia Arrison who is Senior Fellow of Technology Studies at the Pacific Research Institute. How do they work compared to Eudoxa?

Waldemar Ingdahl What is the Pacific Research Institute? Please describe your work with technology policies.

Sonia Arrison The Pacific Research Institute is a free market think tank located in San Francisco, California. In the technology studies department, we spend our time researching, writing, and speaking on the intersection of new technologies and public policy. Specific areas of interest include privacy policy, e-government, intellectual property, nanotechnology, longevity issues, and telecommunications.

Waldemar Ingdahl What place does technology have in discussing issues regarding freedom, opportunity and personal responsibility? Have issues about technology policy changed in recent years?

Sonia Arrison Technology is key to issues of freedom and responsibility because it is a tool that people can use to pursue their interests or, in the case of dictatorships, help to take away those freedoms. Technology itself changes very quickly, so the issues that surround it change just as fast. New technologies, such as multiplayer online games like Second Life, bring up new opportunities and challenges, that responsible individuals and governments must consider carefully.

Waldemar Ingdahl What are the most important specific areas of technology policy today?

Sonia Arrison Biotech and nanotech are perhaps the most important areas, as there are new advances in these fields that will allow us to live longer and better lives. Telecommunications and broadband is another key area because it affects how we communicate and express our thoughts. Privacy and security technologies are also very important in a world where terrorism is always in the headlines.

Waldemar Ingdahl How does society perceive risks today? Is there a possible threat to liberty in that perception?

Sonia Arrison There are many threats to liberty, but often society isn’t paying attention. This is worrisome, because liberty tends to slip away slowly over time, not in one big event.

Waldemar Ingdahl How do you perceive the differences in technology policy between the United States and the European Union today? What good piece of advice would you like to give to Europeans interested in keeping technology dynamic and promoting liberty?

Sonia Arrison The US tends to be more liberal in that there are fewer regulatory hurdles in many areas including technology standards, labor, and taxes. This allows for greater innovation and helps to explain why Silicon Valley exists in the United States and nowhere else. Europeans should work on lightening up their tax and regulatory loads so that more of Europe’s brilliant tech minds can stay there instead of immigrating to other countries to pursue their goals.

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Posted by Waldemar at July 19, 2007 10:30 AM