We are ourselves profoundly changed by our interaction with modem technology. As writer Jerry Mander has pointed out, on each side of the human-machine equation there are adaptations. (81) {{U}}Our machines become ever more lifelike; witness computers and virtual reality. We become more like the machines ; note that repetitive motion disorder is the leading cause of workplace injuries.{{/U}} This adaptive homogenising process to science and technology is now being globalised with few societies able to withstand the reign of science and its technological incarnations.
However, in recent years, the zeal of the religion of science has significantly lessened. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the costs of the scientific abstraction and manipulation of nature were far beyond what could have been predicted. Most disturbing is that the scientific-technological onslaught has brought humanity face to face with the first truly global environmental crisis in recorded history. (82) {{U}}Over the last two decades the public, though still worshipping the scientific world-view, has been shocked by the facts about ecological threats to the biosphere that they had not even suspected existed{{/U}}-ozone depletion, the greenhouse effect, acid rain, species extinction, desertification, deforestation.
The crisis over science and technology's current unprecedented destruction of nature has put modem society in an historic dilemma. Humanity has become fully dependent on, and deeply addicted to, the scientific world-view and the technological environment. Yet this mode of thought and action is threatening the very viability of life on Earth. (83) {{U}}It is becoming increasingly evident that we cannot ultimately survive with our current science and technology; yet we can't imagine living without it.{{/U}} A common-sense approach to this quandary would be to begin reinventing our science and devolving our technologies in order to preserve the environment and our own survival. (84) {{U}}For many years there has been a small but persistent movement urging the adoption of a "new" ecological scientific approach and the substitution of sustainable or " appropriate" technologies for the megatechnologies which are so devastating to nature.{{/U}} However, while ecological science continues to make some inroads, neither it nor appropriate technology has received mass support among the world's policy makers. For most, remaking our technological infrastructure appears too great a task and unprofitable for the current corporate system. (85) {{U}}Further, ecological sensitivity and the appropriate technology movement go directly counter to the scientific world-view and its technological fantasies of finally conquering nature and breaking all limitations on human activity.{{/U}}