The commercialization of technology has dramatically changed our world for the better. Joy made headlines last spring when he suggested that we are unleashing powerful new technologies that could lead us down the path to extinction. We have to stop some research. While Bill Joy rightly waves a yellow caution flag, he needs to recognize that we can't build roadblocks to innovation. In truth, the very technologies he seems to fear have the potential to help us solve such monumental problems as poverty, world hunger, disease and pollution.
Technology has no inherent ethical or moral component.
But people do. Those of us who develop, apply and use technology must ensure that the ethical and moral implications of new developments are considered, along with technical specifications and supply-demand curves. And those with the privilege of developing young minds and nurturing their creativity have an even higher calling. They are obliged to provide their young charges with a foundation of values and principles that will equip tomorrow's scientists, engineers and business people to become wise stewards of technology. There is no substitute for a well-rounded university education when it comes to instilling these principles in future generations of business and technical leaders.