“The real purpose of the scientific method is to make sure nature hasn’t misled you into thinking you know something you don’t actually know.” (Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance).

Over the past century, science and technology has rapidly developed and had a great impact on human life. Everything in our life deals with science and technology.

We as human beings are the ones taking advantage of this phenomenon. However, there are some criteria that we should improve in order to realize a more equitable, prosperous, and sustainable world with science and technology.

The first criterion is that we should make science and technology an actual problem solver. Have you ever thought about how Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone?

If we were him, could we come up with such an ingenious invention as the telephone? Actually, Bell was facing a problem at that time. He wanted to talk to his family even though he was miles away from them.

This problem forced Bell to think and search for its solution. And eventually, with strong will and hard work, he solved this problem by inventing the telephone.

That’s the essence. We encounter a problem, the problem forces us to think more, and finally we solve the problem with a tool called “science and technology”.

However, unfortunately, there are a number of divisions of science and technology that do not lend to practical solutions for mankind.

Take petroleum-driven automobiles, for example. People at the time thought that this was the best technology they had ever come up with. Cars could easily take them and their family wherever they wanted to go.

But take a closer look. Automobiles solve problems by creating another problem. On the one hand, they help humans travel long distances.

But on the other hand, they emit huge amounts of carbon dioxide, resulting in the greenhouse effect and global warming which endangers the earth and human life.

This is not what future science and technology should be. They should not be “band-aid” solutions.

Science and technology have to be the real problem solvers, which solve problems without creating new problems.

The second criterion is science and technology should be a never-ending work-in-progress. Science and technology is built by the culture of dissatisfaction and disbelief. Toddlers learn to walk, run, and talk because they want to improve themselves.

They express dissatisfaction by pushing hard to gain what they want. So did Thomas Alva Edison. He proved that discontent stimulates hard work, and that enabled him to invent the light bulb.
Future science and technology must be a never-ending work-in-progress. We would never have seen

the electric lamp if Edison had not been persistent enough to try until his 100th light bulb.

Scientists would never have discovered nuclear power if they had felt content with hydroelectricity. They kept the discontent in their soul. They kept searching for new alternatives out of the complex puzzle.

As a result, they eventually found a new energy called nuclear energy. It doesn’t mean that mankind isn’t allowed to relax for a while and enjoy their progress in science and technology, but mankind shouldn’t be satisfied with their progress now without moving another step forward.

The true satisfaction of science means enjoying our dissatisfaction and disbelief towards science.

Third, science and technology should only be applied under the right conditions, and under the appropriate laws.

Not more, nor less. Medicine is good for those who are sick. But it will poison those who are not sick at all. Science and technology should only be applied under the right conditions in order to be equitable.

We can’t force small-scale farmers to use expensive tools even though they are high technology ones.

It means we must apply science and technology under the right conditions. We have to provide people with so-called “appropriate technology” which is more viableto them.

Science and technology should also be regulated by laws. Otherwise, they will create chaos.

Every country in the world can develop nuclear technology, but they are not allowed to do with it as they please, especially if it is to attack others.

In this way, science and technology should be applied only when and where there is responsibility.

Science and technology has made life easier, simpler, and more enjoyable. It has made great contributions to human life.

However, there is still room for improvement if we are to realize a more equitable, prosperous and sustainable world in the future.

We, as human beings, should be eager to lead science and technology to fulfill the requirements of
being actual problem solvers, being a never-ending work-in-progress, and being applied under the right conditions and the appropriate laws.

It is simple; science and technology can improve life for you if you work to improve science and technology.


The writer is currently studying at Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan, 3rd year of undergraduate course, majoring in computer science. He is also the secretary-general of Indonesian Student Association in Japan, (PPI Jepang).

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