Trite truisms like “technology drives the world” or “technology is the new currency of power” or “the technological age” are rife. Clichéd as they may sound, they are, in fact, truisms. Countries compete to establish a tech edge over others. In warfare, tech superiority can ensure victory; in peacetime, it is a potent weapon in trade battles and part of a country’s soft power arsenal.
In the corporate world, today, tech is of immense significance. In the US, eight of the top ten most valued companies are from the tech arena, including Apple at number one. India’s biggest private sector employer is a tech company, which is also the second most valued one.
In business, today tech rules supreme. Every company, whether a bank or a manufacturer, now has such a high component of tech and is so dependent on it, that they too have practically become tech companies. With robotics, GenAI, and automation, tech familiarity – if not knowledge – will become a must for most employees. Tech is transforming the content of work; it has redefined “office”, which may now be home or elsewhere; it has transformed shopping, banking, and entertainment; indeed, it is rapidly changing all aspects of our daily lives.
If one looks at Indian media, though, one will think that tech is inconsequential. News on space launches, new scientific discoveries, breakthroughs in AI, or medical research is difficult to find, even in major newspapers. Science, a magazine dedicated to scitech was popular, but became extinct half a century ago – with no replacement. Mainstream TV has endless coverage of politics, crime, and inane controversies, with hours of screaming matches on inconsequential political developments – but one would be hard put to find any discussion on sci-tech. The creation of a dedicated science channel has been talked about for over three decades, and many a government committee too has deliberated on this. Yet, while there are hundreds of Indian TV channels, there is not one dedicated to science or technology, nor a regular page in newspapers.
The same neglect is evident around sustainability. Though a buzzword (particularly as part of ESG) in corporate circles, it is yet seen as a CSR activity: good for public relations, including highlighting in the annual report, and photo ops with VIPs. Extreme weather events now befall us regularly, with deep impact on both individuals and business.
Yet, few make the connection between deforestation (or tree-cutting) and carbon emissions, and their consequence: exceptional rainfall, floods, extreme temperatures, air pollution, and droughts. Mining and power companies are known to cut thousands of trees, securing permissions through questionable means, while avoiding studies on the environmental and societal impact.
Sadly, any attempt to debate or question this is immediately classified as anti-development or even anti-national. Powerful PR agencies of even more powerful corporates are suspected of quashing any studies or media discussion on the issue. Yet, as science has established, sustainability is essential for survival.
We acutely need awareness, debate, and dialogue on these issues. As the ultimate irony, maybe some conglomerate will fund a TV channel devoted to sci-tech and sustainability!
