https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1368431019839252
Materialized ideology and environmental problems: The cases of solar geoengineering and agricultural biotechnology Ryan Gunderson, Diana Stuart, Brian Petersen First Published April 11, 2019 Research Article https://doi.org/10.1177/1368431019839252 Article Information PDF download for Materialized ideology and environmental problems: The cases of solar geoengineering and agricultural biotechnology Article has an altmetric score of 6 No Access Abstract This article expands upon the notion of ideology as a material phenomenon, usually in the form of institutionalized, taken-for-granted practices. It draws on Herbert Marcuse and related thinkers to conceptualize technological solutions to environmental problems as materialized ideological responses to social-ecological contradictions, which, by concealing these contradictions, reproduce existing social conditions. This article outlines a method of technology assessment as ideology critique that draws attention to: (1) the social determinants of the given technology; (2) whether the technology conceals or masks social-ecological contradictions; (3) whether the technology reproduces existing social conditions; and (4) whether the technology may be used for more rational or emancipatory ends in different social conditions. The examples of solar geoengineering and agricultural biotechnology are examined and it is found that, in each case, these technological solutions conceal social-ecological contradictions and support the current economic system and those benefiting from it, while precluding other alternatives. Keywords critical theory, environmental sociology, genetically modified seeds, ideology critique, Marcuse, Stratospheric Aerosol Injection, technology assessment, technology studies -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "geoengineering" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/geoengineering. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/geoengineering/CAJ3C-06rC9yYvY_CLiz9RbTccf7kKLeH8zdVQ8ukhyMA5v1Z8A%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
