February 5, 2002: Technology and Unintended Consequences - Dr. Edward Tenner #124; Nuclear Technology - Richard C. Hoagland

Dr. Edward Tenner discusses unintended consequences of technology and how innovations often produce unexpected problems. Tenner examines historical examples where technological solutions created new difficulties more serious than original problems. Richard C. Hoagland provides updates on nuclear technology and discoveries suggesting advanced ancient nuclear knowledge. The conversation explores Tenner's analysis of revenge effects where improvements backfire in paradoxical ways. Hoagland discusses evidence for nuclear wars in antiquity and archaeological sites showing radiation signatures. The discussion addresses why predicting technological consequences remains difficult despite sophisticated analysis and modeling. Tenner examines specific cases including medicine, agriculture, and computing where unintended effects surprised developers. Hoagland explores ancient texts describing weapons resembling nuclear devices and implications for lost civilizations. The conversation addresses whether current technology is creating problems future generations will struggle to solve. The broadcast examines the hubris of assuming technology will solve problems without creating worse difficulties.