GIGO

Closer to Truth

What is consciousness? Can science seek the soul? How does technology change thinking? Will the Internet change humanity? What are the Great Questions of Science?

In our drive for "news", we rarely take the time to step back and ponder these sorts of questions. It's hardly surprising then that people sometimes feel as if science and technology has stolen a march on them without giving them a chance to think about the implications of scientific development.

I think it is this concern, more than anything else, that stands at the heart of an issue like genetic engineering. Will gene therapy change the human race? In what way? Should we care if it does?

We don't have the channels to debate these ideas. The odd local meeting or seminar helps, but for society to take part we need to look to our media for some quality time and -- an even more difficult proposition -- some quality thought. At this point, we have very few venues for this sort of discussion. We've come a long way from the agora where all citizens could gather to argue about society and their place in it, but participatory debate and democracy as a whole is weakened if we feel uninformed and powerless on major issues.

That's why I was delighted to come across the Closer to Truth television series and associated Web site (http://www.closertotruth.com). The above questions are asked in this 28-part PBS television series, and they have collected a stellar lineup of scientists, technologist, philosophers, and poets to provide, if not the answers, at least a range of thoughtful viewpoints.

Team this up with a Web site which has the transcripts and opportunities for anyone in the world to participate in on-going debate, and you have a wonderful resource for getting a broader picture of where this world is heading. We're going there with them -- the Closer to Truth group has teamed up with our SciTechDaily Review -- and it looks like it will be a most interesting future.

Vicki Hyde is the editor of New Zealand Science Monthly.