Claus Emmeche, theoretical biologist, associate professor, and director of the center for the Philosophy of Nature and Science Studies at the Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, opened up by playfully suggesting that one might consider dropping the notion of Living Technology all together.
This soon had Steen Rasmussen, Head of the Center for Fundamental Living Technology (FLinT) which is located at the University of Southern Denmark, recall past discussions about how to name various movements and ideas in science. While Steen agrees that it is important to discuss a term like "Living Technology", he also concludes that to him the notion works well as a way of referring to technologies, which in different ways share features with living organisms.
To me, what is almost as interesting as the content of Claus and Steen's online discussion, is
- how it significantly raises the standard of the usual comments found on online sites,
- gives the public a peek into the way researchers may disagree and tease each other, while still being gentlemen, and
- how it tests a new way for scientists to engage with their field, other researchers and the public.
I hope to see more people adding to their discussion.
