A review by genesis1999
Technological Slavery by Theodore John Kaczynski

informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

Over a decade after the publication of his noteworthy essay, “Industrial Society and Its Future,” Theodore Kaczynski followed up with another remarkable work continuing his explication of technological progress and its encroachment on human freedom, in which the title succinctly encapsulates as Technological Slavery. Kaczynski’s ideas and novel concepts are expanded upon through various essays and letters written to correspondents; one in which includes ecophilosopher and author, David Skrbina, where Kaczynski discusses his position of revolution over reform. 

One of the many compelling letters incorporated within this book that I find especially significant goes by the title, “Letter to Dr. P.B. on the Motivations of Scientists.” Kaczynski expounds on one of the points made in his manifesto which argued that scientists are primarily motivated by their own self-interest rather than out of desire to help humanity. A correspondent that went by the initials, “P.B.” contested this, referencing notable scientists such as Albert Einstein as an example of someone who contradicts this position. What follows is a very informative response where Kaczynski uses historical evidence to give credence to his assertion on the true motivations of scientists.

Kaczynski notes that Albert Einstein preached in favor of “world peace” only after and apart from his scientific work, and his autobiography is revealing: Einstein highlighted the emptiness he felt as a child and his distaste for the everyday work-life of his time, in which scientific work provided solace from. Motivated not by altruism, but by a desire to fill the void he experienced from a lack of sufficient challenges and goals to pursue. 

J. Robert Oppenheimer, a physician credited for the research and design of the atomic bomb, further articulated this sentiment during a speech he delivered in 1945 that was addressed to the scientists who had participated in the project. Oppenheimer did not shy away from spouting a mantra of flowery excuses for why the research was important for the sake of mankind, but in the same speech he stressed that scientists' work served a personal need or an “organic necessity,” expressing that the acquisition of knowledge was essentially an end in itself, independently of whether it had any positive impact upon humanity.   

Theodore Kaczynski cleverly confronts the argument which holds that technology is morally neutral. While he acknowledges technology is neutral in the abstract sense, the development of a new technology has a concrete effect on the society in which one lives. He uses the example of engineer Wernher Von Braun, who helped build weapons for Adolf Hitler. Von Braun emphasized the impartiality of scientific research and contended that it held no moral dimensions in and of itself until its products were further utilized. It would be rather naive though to believe Von Braun was not fully aware of what his research would entail. The stance that society should have used a technology in a different way does not remove responsibility from those who developed it. A scientist is obligated to consider the ramifications of how a new technology is likely to interact with society. They must ask not how their work can or should be used, but how it will be used-and if this cannot be answered their work is grossly irresponsible. 

A recent example of this was seen with the release of a letter signed by multiple tech experts, that called for a 6-month pause on AI research back in March of 2023. The letter outlined some of the serious consequences that could arise from its advancements. Of course this letter never intended for there to ever be a complete halt to AI research and its proposal never went underway. It is evident that scientists are not blind to the foreseeable circumstances that technological progress could impose, but as Kaczynski argues, they do not let these considerations interfere with their research. 

Intelligent, insightful, and compelling; Technological Slavery is a must-read that allows the reader to take a more critical outlook on the technological developments within our society and to question where it is taking us. The arguments the author presents are well-thought out and well-constructed. If you like what you read, I would recommend putting Theodore Kaczynski’s book, Anti-Tech Revolution: Why and How, next up on your reading list.