Confessions of a Technophile

In this collection of essays, Lewis Branscomb reflects on his transition from research scientist to public official to industrial technology strategist and examines the craft and ethical values of the scientist.

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In this technologically adventurous book, Lewis Branscomb-- distinguished physicist who once headed the National Bureau of Standards and later was IBM's Chief Scientist--explores the "wise and creative" uses of our nation's science, from the boundless faith in science after the Second World War, into the age of technology, which, says Branscomb, "is an expression of the values of the society that creates and uses it." Branscomb examines emerging information technologies--computer software, electronic libraries, video disks, and the information "superhighway"--always exploring the way people are affected. Here readers can share his vision of how we can use both science and politics to improve the prospects for humankind.