The conversation about ICT technology failures too often focus' on commercial consumer products and services. What's often ignored is the opportunity cost. Public policy must provide focus and direction for technology to solve complex interwoven tapestry of problems critical to the survival of our species. For a sustainable future, we need public leadership to overcome the resistance of short sighted private powerful special interests.

1. ITC Portfolio
Part 2.3—
Techology Failures
PPUB 796 Internet and Public Policy:
Technology or Tyranny?
Rick Singer GMU Volegenau School of Engineering
rsinger@gmu.edu

2. “Successful” Technology Failures
Many so called technology “success’” stories are frivolous
consumer-marketing driven innovations. Should the most
creative minds of our generation waste their gifts inventing
ice cream that changes color when you lick it?
The global push for STEM education is urgently needed to
develop scientific and technological innovation leading to
solutions to urgent priorities. Energy, Healthcase,
Agriculture.

3. Trival Tech Innovation: Opportunity Costs
Case in point: Necomimi brainwave-sensing cat ears.
Then think relaxing thoughts, ad the ears will droop and the
ears perk up when you focus your attention. Ostensibly this
high tech tool will help for those with attention deficit
disorder. For those with severe ADHD they are also
available as devil’s horns.

4. Lost Opportunity Cost
Behind the “Success” Stories of Trivial Tech
Case in point: Necomimi brainwave-sensing cat ears.
Then think relaxing thoughts, ad the ears will droop and the
ears perk up when you focus your attention. Ostensibly this
high tech tool will help for those with attention deficit
disorder. For those with severe ADHD they are also
available as devil’s horns.

5. Consumer Culture Encourages Trivial Developments
The opportunity for tech break through and innovation are
lost forever when the best engineering minds of a
generation squander their gifts designing commercial
products for wealthy consumers.
Wastes This Generation’s Brightest Engineering Minds

6. Products Falses Promises Compounds The “FAIL”
.
• Quick and easy profit motive misdirects technical innovation

7. Products Falses Promises Compounds The “FAIL”
• Quick and easy profit motive misdirects technical innovation
• Focus on wealthy consumers puts everyone’s future at risk.

8. Products Falses Promises Compounds The “FAIL”
What can
we do?
• Quick and easy profit motive misdirects technical innovation
• Focus on wealthy consumers puts everyone’s future at risk.

9. • Become Politically Active
• Empower yourself and others
• Email your representatives in congress
• Support public ITC investment
Time is critical. Act Now!
Technical solutions will not naturally evolve
from commercial enterprising pandering to
our consumer culture

10. •
Consumer culture driven free enterprise
won’t support ICT innovation needed to
ensure the survival of our species

11. What can any one of us do?

12. Empower
Yourself
and Others
What can any one of us do?

13. Become
Politically
Active
What can any one of us do?

14. Support public
Investment In ITC
Solutions For
Sustainability
What can any one of us do?

15. Email Your
Congressional
Representatives
What can any one of us do?

16. The Clock Is
Ticking…..
…Act Now!
What can any one of us do?

17. For more information,
please email rick@singer.net
PPUB 796 Internet and Public Policy:
Technology or Tyranny?
Rick Singer GMU Volegenau School of Engineering
rsinger@gmu.edu