Tools Or Traps? THE RISING SOCIAL COST OF UNCHECKED INNOVATION
Climate change. Screen addiction. The obesity epidemic.
Human biases for instant gratification and techno-optimism underpin today’s most serious societal crises.
In Tools Or Traps? [Austin Macauley] I explore the vicious cycle of reaching for technological innovation to save us from the unintended consequences of technological innovation.
“Nails skilfully one of the most pressing challenges of our times: As technology advances, how can we avoid opting for so many easy fixes that we end up diminished? This book presents the hard decisions facing governments, businesses, parents – in fact, all of us.” – Sebastian Moffett, Journalist
Drawing on socio-economic data; public and personal stories; and interviews with neuro- and climate scientists, social and workplace researchers, life and fitness coaches, headteachers and students, I ask:
How can we escape the siren calls of ease and speed to find a better balance between short-term pain and long-term gain?
Far from being a doomsayer or a tech-basher, Dominic offers readers an original lens on some of the biggest challenges of our time. A light read on very serious topics; one that will leave you seeing things a little differently afterwards
mICHELA cOPPOLA, RESEARCHER
Here’s how I explained the book to my kids…
I found ‘Tools or traps?’ unsettling. But it is also compelling and powerful. I finished it feeling more informed and also empowered about how even my small everyday actions can have an outsized influence on the world my 7 year old son will inherit. And I will never look at small trolley bags the same way ever again!
Dominic H. King 